UMUR
"Demo 1987" is the third (not counting the 1987 rehearsal tape) and last demo recording by US, Florida based death metal act Xecutioner. It´s their last release before changing their name to Obituary.
Xecutioner formed in 1984 under the Executioner monicker, but soon changed their name to Xecutioner to avoid confusion with other bands named Executioner. Xecutioner released three demos (and one rehearsal tape) before changing their name to Obituary (just before recording their debut album). The first demo was recorded under the Executioner monicker and featured a Nasty Savage influenced thrash/speed metal sound, but already on the 1986 demo (where the band had changed their name to Xecutioner), the band had found a more original and heavy death metal style, and John Tardy´s unique vocal style already stood out. The 1987 rehearsal demo was a raw and savage, but also fragmented and unfinished rehearsal recording, predominantly featuring material which would end up being included on "Slowly We Rot" (1989).
This demo features three tracks and a total playing time of 15:48 minutes, and it´s basically one more 1987 rehearsal demo, as it´s obvious from the sound quality and the way the tracks are performed that they are recorded live in the band´s rehearsal space...warts and all. With that in mind Xecutioner have managed to get a decent product out of it, but it´s still the 1986 demo which should prove the most interesting to fans of Obituary, as it features a professional studio sound quality. A 2.5 star (50%) rating is warranted.