Obituary Interview

Upon the recent return from their European tour and ahead of their long awaited come back album Metal Chaos caught up with John Tardy, about life outside music and the reasons behind the bands much anticipated reunion.


Thanks John for taking the time to do this interview, how are things with you?
No problem and we are all doing great!
My I be one of the many to welcome Obituary back…so how does it feel to be “back from the dead”, so to speak?
It has been l lot of fun. We are having a blast with the new material and it feels like we never took a break at all.
So how did the reunion come about?
I think it was always just a matter of time. We didn’t really talk a lot about it, it just kind of came to us. We all got back together to do the FL metal fest and from there songs just started coming out so easy that it was a no brainer to work it into a new album.
What have you guys been up to over the past 7 years?
Everyone has been busy with different things. Some of the guys have been involved with music some not. I did not do much in the music side but was working with computers to keep busy!
What has been the response from fans to the news of the reforming of the group? I can only imagine the response has been nothing but positive?
It has been great. I just recently started my own Obituary website and it has been unbelievable…I should have done it a long time ago.
You’ve recently been on the road in Europe, how was the tour? Any highlights you’d like to share?
Beyond expectations! Our fans are the best and with no new material or anything they still came out and supported us. It was our first time in Greece so that show in Athens was really cool!
How was it to be back on stage with those guys?
Felt like old times!
What was the thinking behind the band touring ahead of recording the new album?
It was just so long since we had done anything that no matter what we said people still had a hard time believing that we were back together. We thought it was important to do that tour and show people that we were together again…seeing is believing!!!
What are the immediate plans for early 2005?
They new album is first! We are already booking some festival for new year, the Wacken and the Dynamo are two that we will be doing. Then we will be doing shows world wide to support the new album and hope to do our first DVD.
So what can you tell us about the new album?
Hard for me to say because I listen to it all the time. I think it has a classic Obituary sound and feel to it but we will see when it is done.
The rumour mill has it that you guys are back with Roadrunner Records. Is this true?
We owe Roadrunner one more record and it looks like it will be with them but we are still working out the contracts with them.
Any idea’s yet when and where you’ll be back in the studio?
We hope to be in the studio in January and hope to release the album on Friday, May 13!
The new tune, aired on the recent European tour was warmly received. What direction would you say the rest of the album is taking; is it a back to basics approach?
I am not sure, it seems some of the songs have a Slowly We Rot feel and some have a Back From the Dead feel and everything in between…if that is possible!
	Where do you think Obituary fit into the 2005 scene?
	Don’t know and not really concerned about it. What is important is that we are happy with our record and I think the rest will take care of itself!
	What’s your take on the state of the death metal scene, and even the wider music industry at present?
	It feels to me that a lot of kids are looking for some new (old style) metal and hopefully Obituary will be part of that. Record companies have changed a lot with the Internet and downloadable music. The Internet has made it possible for a lot of band to do things on their own and not need a record company at all.
	Did you stay close to the scene while on your extended hiatus?
	Not really.
	What are you listening to at present, what’s top of the Tardy play list?
	I am a little old fashioned and still listen to a lot of the old stuff like Celtic Frost, Venom and old Slayer. With the recent passing of Dimebag I have been listening to a lot of Pantera!
Knowing your love of Celtic Frost, what is your take on their now, almost inseparable link to the Black Metal genre?
Black metal, Death metal, Speed metal…call it what you want it is all metal to me and it is either good or not so good. If I like someone’s music it is because of the music and not how it is categorize!
Do you have a message to all the Obituary fans out there?
Feels good to be back writing new music and we look forward to seeing you all out on the road next year! Thanks for all your support over the years! You can contact me though our websites email or message board anytime!

All photographs and images used with kind permission of Obituary.