Now if anyone knows me, I much prefer death metal from Sweden. That’s not to say that I don’t like American death metal but I just prefer the former. However, there are exceptions and the band that is up on the chopping block is the band Morbid Angel. What’s uniques about their album titles is that they are all in alphabetical order. So here we go…..
Altars of Madness- if anyone is into death metal and doesn’t have this album then stop what you are doing and go listen to this right now. This is definitely one of the most important death metal albums ever and is an absolute classic. I mean if you want an album that sets the standard for death metal then this is a great place to start. Not only that, it has some of their greatest songs too. I mean the guitar work from Trey Azgathoth and Richard Brunelle is badass and of course Pete Sandoval’s drum work is just incredible. I give this album 10/10
Standouts: Chapel of Ghouls, Maze of Torment, Suffocation
Blessed Are The Sick- so unlike the last album, this one is slower and more crushing and also incorporates some classical elements. I mean the aggression is still there and this is also considered to be another classic I just prefer Altars a little more. All the classic Morbid Angel stuff is there and Trey’s guitar work and solos are awesome as usual but I prefer my death metal a little faster. I give this one 8.5/10
Standouts: Thy Kingdom Come, Fall From Grace, The Ancient Ones
Covenant- so if Altars is considered by many to be a classic, then Covenant is what got these guys mainstream success. I think I remember seeing Beavis and Butthead making fun of the song God of Emptiness on MTV. I feel like this album kind of picks up where Altars left off too and I think this is when they signed to Earache records hence the MTV support. That and this came out during a time when thrash metal was taking kind of a back seat. Sadly, this would be the last album to feature Richard Brunelle on second guitar. Anyway another classic album and I give it 10/10
Standouts: Rapture, The Lion’s Den, Angel Of Disease
Domination- so Altars is the first album I bought from them but this is the album that really got me into the band. Like if anyone were to ask what is a good album to start with, I’d recommend this one or Altars. This is also the first (and only album for now) to feature Erik Rutan on second guitar and both he and Trey complement each other very well. Sadly this is also the last studio album to feature original vocalist and bassist David Vincent. A fun fact about this was that there was supposed to be a “slime edition” released but after several copies leaked during shipping and the slime substance was found to be toxic, it was canceled. The album itself is slower compared to Covenant and the songs have some groove to them too. Anyway, and other classic album and another 10/10
Standouts: Dawn Of The Angry, Where the Slime Live, Eyes To See Ears To Hear
Formulas Fatal to the Flesh- so this is the first album to feature new vocalist and bass player Steve Tucker and I must say that he actually does a pretty good job here. No he is not a David Vincent clone but he has his own style. Some would say that they sound like any other generic death metal band but I would disagree. Steve Tucker has kind a deeper death metal growl than David Vincent but it actually fits the band quite well. While not as strong as say Domination, it’s still worth a listen. I give it 8.5/10
Standouts: Nothing is Not, Heaving Earth, Covenant Of Death
Gateways To Annihilation- this album is more reminiscent of an album like Blessed Are The Sick. It’s been slowed down but yet the songs seem to be faster on here than on that album. This is also the second and last album to feature Erik Rutan on second guitar. I will say that on this album, the Pete Sandoval’s drumming is a huge standout. I mean it was always badass but here it just seems to stick out more. If you like slower death metal than definitely check this one out and I give this album 8/10
Standouts: At One With Nothing, Ageless Still I Am, I
Heretic- this was the first album I bought with Steve Tucker on vocals. This is an album that a lot of MA fans like to hate on but I actually dig this one. It’s got some really good songs on however, it’s not their best and there is a good amount of filler. However, it’s not bad. There are some bonus “tracks” or as they are called, Levels on here but most of them are silent and the ones that aren’t are just outtakes and nothing special. There are so many that it actually brings the number of songs to 44. I think had they just kept this at 10 or 11 songs then this album would’ve been fine. This album is significant because it’s the last to feature Steve Tucker on vocals and bass, Pete Sandoval on drums, and their last on Earache records. I give this one 7/10
Standouts: Beneath The Hollow, Enshrined By Grace, Within Thy Enemy
Illud Divinum Insanus- so it had been seven years between Heretic and this album. The good news is that David Vincent is back and they got a new guitarist named Destructhor, and Tim Yeung from Divine Heresy is the new drummer. They even played a show in 2008 at The Key Club (I was there and it was packed). So at that show they announced a new album was on the way. Exciting right? I mean there is so much potential. Well the new record comes out and I would best describe it as their St. Anger. If you ever wondered what these guys sounded like as an industrial band then listen to this album. I think David spent too much time with his wife’s band The Genitorturers. Like why are there dj’s on this album? Why couldn’t they have made a straightforward death metal album? I mean I get it they wanted to try something new and different but it doesn’t work. I give this 0/10
Standouts: none there aren’t any I say skip it unless you are curious
Kingdom Disdained- so leading up to this album, David Vincent is out, Destructhor is gone and Tim Yeung is gone too and Steve Tucker is back and they have a new drummer named Scott Fuller. After that terrible album before, this is definitely a back to basics album and it’s more of an album like Heretic and Formulas. In fact, this is the album that should’ve come after Heretic and it certainly feels like it is too. One criticism I do have is that this probably could’ve done with a couple less songs on it and some parts could’ve been sped up but overall, a great album. I give is 9/10
Standouts: Garden of Disdain, D.E.A.D., From The Hand Of Kings
This is one of those bands that are considered to be essential listening and I’ve seen them both with David Vincent and with Steve Tucker and both times have been great. I will say that the fans of this band really love this band. I also think that Trey Azagthoth is a very underrated guitar player. I mean I would even compare him to someone like Eddie Van Halen. He’s just so all over the place and weird it’s awesome. Anyway hopefully I can see these guys again soon. And yes they do release their albums in alphabetical order so I’m sure you noticed that there isn’t an E or J entry and that’s because those are live albums.
Album Rankings:
- Domination
- Covenant
- Altars of Madness
- Gateways To Annihilation
- Formulas Fatal To The Flesh
- Kingdom Disdained
- Blessed Are The Sick
- Heretic
- Illud Divinum Insanus
Sinister Reviews 