Metal
Relapse Records releases the remastered editions of “Xecutioner’s Return” (2007) and “Darkest Day” (2009) on 11 December, the two albums Obituary recorded with bassist Frank Watkins and guitarist Ralph Santolla. They return on single and double vinyl, CD and cassette, and the label says neither has been pressed in over fifteen years. The remasters can already be heard on streaming, where neither record had ever appeared.
“We are super excited about the remastered reissues of Xecutioner’s Return and Darkest Day”, the band say. “These albums have not been available for many years and it’s great to know that soon fans can finally get their hands on them. It will give everyone an opportunity to enjoy and remember Frank Watkins and the final Obituary recordings with him while allowing fans to celebrate the amazing, shredding solos that Ralph Santolla threw down on these records during his time with us. R.I.P. both our brothers… gone but not forgotten.”
Watkins played bass with the band from 1989 to 1997 and from 2003 to 2010, and died on 18 October 2015 at the age of 47. Santolla joined in June 2007, replacing Allen West, and died on 6 June 2018 at 51.
The “Darkest Day” remaster adds two tracks: a cover of Celtic Frost’s “Dethroned Emperor” and the 2008 re-recording of “Slowly We Rot”. Both had appeared on the 2008 EP “Left To Die” and nowhere else. The title of “Xecutioner’s Return” comes from the name the band started out under, Xecutioner.
Text by Roger Estivill