Morbid Angel: Difference between revisions
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Morbid Angel have been one of the most highly influential bands in the growth and development of death metal along with death metal band [[Cannibal Corpse]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name="metalsucks.net"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/music/the-10-best-death-metal-bands-6585015|title=The 10 Best Death Metal Bands|last=Distefano|first=Alex|date=2015-10-01|newspaper=OC Weekly|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> Former guitarist Erik Rutan went on to form the successful death metal band [[Hate Eternal]], while the South Carolina band [[Nile (band)|Nile]] have gone on to enjoy significant levels of success in a similar style of death metal.<ref name=":1" /> Their sound has also heavily influenced the growth and development of death metal and black metal in Brazil and South America, as well as of the early black metal scene in Norway.<ref name=":1" /> Many bands have cited Morbid Angel as an influence on their own music, including [[Immortal (band)|Immortal]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://metalkings.com/reviews/immortal/immortal.htm|title=IMMORTAL INTERVIEW - METALKINGS.COM|website=metalkings.com|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Krisiun]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metalbite.com/interview.asp?intID=255|title=Interview with Krisiun - MetalBite - Heavy Metal Webzine|newspaper=MetalBite|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Gorguts]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadianassault.com/gorgutsinterview.htm|title=Canadian Assault zine|website=www.canadianassault.com|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Behemoth (band)|Behemoth]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.getreadytorock.com/pure_metal/behemoth_interview.htm|title=Get Ready to ROCK! Interview with Nergal of metal rock band Behemoth|website=www.getreadytorock.com|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Dead Congregation]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bardomethodology.com/articles/2016/12/07/dead-congregation-interview/|title=Dead Congregation interview - Bardo Methodology|date=2016-12-07|newspaper=Bardo Methodology|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Gojira (band)|Gojira]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vanyaland.com/2013/11/29/interview-joe-duplantier-gojira-authentic-metal-emerging-france-fighting-alongside-sea-shepherd/|title=Interview: Joe Duplantier of Gojira on authentic metal, emerging from France, and fighting alongside the Sea Shepherd|last=Says|first=Truthtalk5|date=2013-11-29|website=Vanyaland|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Opeth]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4149650-theres-a-lot-more-to-opeth-than-death-metal---dis-meets-mikael-kerfeldt|title="There's a lot more to Opeth than death metal": DiS Meets Mikael Åkerfeldt|newspaper=DrownedInSound|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Pyrrhon (band)|Pyrrhon]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lurkersgrave.com/2011/05/21/an-interview-with-pyrrhon/|title=An interview with Pyrrhon|date=2011-05-21|website=LURKER|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> Revocation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thenewfury.com/wordpress/interview-dave-davidson-revocation-2/|title=Interview: Dave Davidson From Revocation|last=|first=|date=|website=thenewfury.com|publisher=|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> and many others. Their early release ''<nowiki/>'Abominations of Desolation'<nowiki/>'' as well as ''<nowiki/>'Altars of Madness''' are considered two of the earliest true examples of death metal, as well as two of the most boundary-pushing albums of their time in terms of extremity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deathmetal.org/news/5-albums-that-invented-death-metal/|title=Death Metal Underground: 5 albums that invented death metal|website=www.deathmetal.org|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[MetalSucks|Metalsucks]] named them one of the most important bands of the 90s, writing that "The band released three seminal albums — ''Blessed are the Sick'', ''Covenant'', and ''Domination'' — between 1991 and 1995 alone (and there are definitely fans who’d say we’re being unfair to 1998’s ''Formulas Fatal to the Flesh''). And thanks to a little show called ''Beavis and Butt-Head'', Morbid Angel became death metal’s ambassadors to the outside world, acting as the gateway drug for who even knows how many scores of kids."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/03/06/the-25-most-important-metal-bands-of-the-90s-25-morbid-angel/|title=The 25 Most Important Metal Bands of the ’90s: #25, Morbid Angel|date=2017-03-06|website=MetalSucks|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref> |
Morbid Angel have been one of the most highly influential bands in the growth and development of death metal along with death metal band [[Cannibal Corpse]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name="metalsucks.net"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/music/the-10-best-death-metal-bands-6585015|title=The 10 Best Death Metal Bands|last=Distefano|first=Alex|date=2015-10-01|newspaper=OC Weekly|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> Former guitarist Erik Rutan went on to form the successful death metal band [[Hate Eternal]], while the South Carolina band [[Nile (band)|Nile]] have gone on to enjoy significant levels of success in a similar style of death metal.<ref name=":1" /> Their sound has also heavily influenced the growth and development of death metal and black metal in Brazil and South America, as well as of the early black metal scene in Norway.<ref name=":1" /> Many bands have cited Morbid Angel as an influence on their own music, including [[Immortal (band)|Immortal]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://metalkings.com/reviews/immortal/immortal.htm|title=IMMORTAL INTERVIEW - METALKINGS.COM|website=metalkings.com|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Krisiun]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metalbite.com/interview.asp?intID=255|title=Interview with Krisiun - MetalBite - Heavy Metal Webzine|newspaper=MetalBite|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Gorguts]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadianassault.com/gorgutsinterview.htm|title=Canadian Assault zine|website=www.canadianassault.com|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Behemoth (band)|Behemoth]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.getreadytorock.com/pure_metal/behemoth_interview.htm|title=Get Ready to ROCK! Interview with Nergal of metal rock band Behemoth|website=www.getreadytorock.com|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Dead Congregation]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bardomethodology.com/articles/2016/12/07/dead-congregation-interview/|title=Dead Congregation interview - Bardo Methodology|date=2016-12-07|newspaper=Bardo Methodology|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Gojira (band)|Gojira]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vanyaland.com/2013/11/29/interview-joe-duplantier-gojira-authentic-metal-emerging-france-fighting-alongside-sea-shepherd/|title=Interview: Joe Duplantier of Gojira on authentic metal, emerging from France, and fighting alongside the Sea Shepherd|last=Says|first=Truthtalk5|date=2013-11-29|website=Vanyaland|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Opeth]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4149650-theres-a-lot-more-to-opeth-than-death-metal---dis-meets-mikael-kerfeldt|title="There's a lot more to Opeth than death metal": DiS Meets Mikael Åkerfeldt|newspaper=DrownedInSound|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Pyrrhon (band)|Pyrrhon]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lurkersgrave.com/2011/05/21/an-interview-with-pyrrhon/|title=An interview with Pyrrhon|date=2011-05-21|website=LURKER|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> Revocation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thenewfury.com/wordpress/interview-dave-davidson-revocation-2/|title=Interview: Dave Davidson From Revocation|last=|first=|date=|website=thenewfury.com|publisher=|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> and many others. Their early release ''<nowiki/>'Abominations of Desolation'<nowiki/>'' as well as ''<nowiki/>'Altars of Madness''' are considered two of the earliest true examples of death metal, as well as two of the most boundary-pushing albums of their time in terms of extremity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deathmetal.org/news/5-albums-that-invented-death-metal/|title=Death Metal Underground: 5 albums that invented death metal|website=www.deathmetal.org|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[MetalSucks|Metalsucks]] named them one of the most important bands of the 90s, writing that "The band released three seminal albums — ''Blessed are the Sick'', ''Covenant'', and ''Domination'' — between 1991 and 1995 alone (and there are definitely fans who’d say we’re being unfair to 1998’s ''Formulas Fatal to the Flesh''). And thanks to a little show called ''Beavis and Butt-Head'', Morbid Angel became death metal’s ambassadors to the outside world, acting as the gateway drug for who even knows how many scores of kids."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/03/06/the-25-most-important-metal-bands-of-the-90s-25-morbid-angel/|title=The 25 Most Important Metal Bands of the ’90s: #25, Morbid Angel|date=2017-03-06|website=MetalSucks|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref> |
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Guitarist Trey Azagthoth is one of the most influential and widely revered guitarists in heavy metal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/dear-guitar-hero-trey-azagthoth|title=Dear Guitar Hero: Trey Azagthoth|date=2010-10-04|newspaper=Guitar World|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref><ref name="Treble’s Top 100 Guitarists">{{Cite web|url=http://www.treblezine.com/29874-treble-100-best-guitarists/3/|title=Treble’s Top 100 Guitarists|website=www.treblezine.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitar-world-s-100-greatest-heavy-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/|title=GUITAR WORLD's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time|date=2004-01-23|newspaper=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> Loudwire named him one of the top 10 rock and metal "riff lords", writing that "Trey Azagthoth left his fingerprints all over the early death metal scene with a unique riffing style still unmatched within the genre today. [...] His unconventional style sounds haphazard in its approach, awkwardly stepping over piles of rubbles left from previous riffing attacks, but with crushing effect."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/top-rock-metal-riff-lords/#photogallery-1=3|title=Top 10 Rock + Metal Riff Lords|website=Loudwire|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref> [[VH1]] have described him as "a unique and thrilling lead player more following in the adventurous footsteps of [[Eddie Van Halen]] than a stiff tactician. Bands like Hate Eternal and Nile have used the now common death metal language that Morbid Angel commenced. Their influence is most clearly represented by current Metal heavyweight, Gojira."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/55245/most-influential-metal-guitarists-of-the-modern-era-2/|title=20 Most Influential Metal Guitarists Of The Modern Era|newspaper=VH1 News|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]] write that "he has blazed a tension-filled style all his own" and that "when he solos, he enters a mystical mind state he calls the "Temple of Ostx".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.spin.com/2012/05/spins-100-greatest-guitarists-all-time/|title=SPIN’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time {{!}} SPIN|date=2012-05-03|newspaper=Spin|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> During the nineties the band were one of a number of bands involved in the scare created around death metal, and were featured in a news report about the issue due to the band's overtly Satanic and occult lyrics and imagery.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/video/early-90s-news-report-on-death-metal-feat-morbid-angel-cannibal-corpse-obituary|title=Early 90s News Report on Death Metal feat. MORBID ANGEL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY - Metal Injection|newspaper=Metal Injection|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/music/the-10-most-satanic-metal-bands-6577783|title=The 10 Most Satanic Metal Bands|last=Distefano|first=Alex|date=2013-10-01|newspaper=OC Weekly|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> |
Guitarist Trey Azagthoth is one of the most influential and widely revered guitarists in heavy metal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/dear-guitar-hero-trey-azagthoth|title=Dear Guitar Hero: Trey Azagthoth|date=2010-10-04|newspaper=Guitar World|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref><ref name="Treble’s Top 100 Guitarists">{{Cite web|url=http://www.treblezine.com/29874-treble-100-best-guitarists/3/|title=Treble’s Top 100 Guitarists|website=www.treblezine.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitar-world-s-100-greatest-heavy-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/ |title=GUITAR WORLD's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time |date=2004-01-23 |newspaper=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en-US |access-date=2017-01-27 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905122448/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitar-world-s-100-greatest-heavy-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/ |archivedate=2013-09-05 |df= }}</ref> Loudwire named him one of the top 10 rock and metal "riff lords", writing that "Trey Azagthoth left his fingerprints all over the early death metal scene with a unique riffing style still unmatched within the genre today. [...] His unconventional style sounds haphazard in its approach, awkwardly stepping over piles of rubbles left from previous riffing attacks, but with crushing effect."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/top-rock-metal-riff-lords/#photogallery-1=3|title=Top 10 Rock + Metal Riff Lords|website=Loudwire|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref> [[VH1]] have described him as "a unique and thrilling lead player more following in the adventurous footsteps of [[Eddie Van Halen]] than a stiff tactician. Bands like Hate Eternal and Nile have used the now common death metal language that Morbid Angel commenced. Their influence is most clearly represented by current Metal heavyweight, Gojira."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/55245/most-influential-metal-guitarists-of-the-modern-era-2/|title=20 Most Influential Metal Guitarists Of The Modern Era|newspaper=VH1 News|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> [[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]] write that "he has blazed a tension-filled style all his own" and that "when he solos, he enters a mystical mind state he calls the "Temple of Ostx".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.spin.com/2012/05/spins-100-greatest-guitarists-all-time/|title=SPIN’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time {{!}} SPIN|date=2012-05-03|newspaper=Spin|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> During the nineties the band were one of a number of bands involved in the scare created around death metal, and were featured in a news report about the issue due to the band's overtly Satanic and occult lyrics and imagery.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/video/early-90s-news-report-on-death-metal-feat-morbid-angel-cannibal-corpse-obituary|title=Early 90s News Report on Death Metal feat. MORBID ANGEL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY - Metal Injection|newspaper=Metal Injection|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/music/the-10-most-satanic-metal-bands-6577783|title=The 10 Most Satanic Metal Bands|last=Distefano|first=Alex|date=2013-10-01|newspaper=OC Weekly|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> |
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== Musical style == |
== Musical style == |
Revision as of 08:32, 24 May 2017
Morbid Angel | |
---|---|
Morbid Angel live in 2011 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Tampa, Florida, United States |
Genres | Death metal |
Years active | 1984–present |
Labels |
|
Members | Trey Azagthoth Steve Tucker Scott Fuller Dan Vadim Von |
Past members | David Vincent Pete Sandoval Destructhor Tim Yeung Mike Browning Wayne Hartsell Dallas Ward Richard Brunelle Kenny Bamber Sterling Von Scarborough Erik Rutan Jared Anderson Tony Norman John Ortega Michael Manson Terri Samuels |
Website | www |
Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida. The band was one of the original death metal bands signed to Earache Records, and was also influential in the transition of death metal from its thrash metal roots to its current form by incorporating guttural vocals, up-tempo blast beats, atonality in guitar soloing, and dark, chunky, mid-paced rhythms. They have been described as one of "the most influential and emulated bands in death metal", alongside Cannibal Corpse, and have been cited as an influence by many later bands.[1] They were also the first death metal band to experience mainstream success in connection with being signed to Giant Records in 1992, heavy rotation of their music videos on MTV, and having the music video for the song "God of Emptiness" shown on an episode of Beavis and Butt-head.[2][3] Their first four albums are considered classics in the genre.[4]
UK music magazine Terrorizer ranked Morbid Angel's 1989 debut 'Altars of Madness' first in its list "Top 40 greatest death metal albums". Decibel magazine also rated guitarist Trey Azagthoth as the number one "death metal guitarist ever".[5] The band's songs are complex in arrangement, owing to the considerable technical skills of both Azagthoth as well as drummer Pete Sandoval, the latter of whom also played in the grindcore band Terrorizer. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Morbid Angel is the third best-selling death metal band in the United States (after Cannibal Corpse and Deicide up until 2003 with sales of over 445,000),[6] with their third album Covenant being the best-selling death metal album during the beginning of the Soundscan era time with over 150,000 units sold.[7]
The band's original lyrical themes focused mostly on Satanism, occultism and anti-Christian subject matter, but from Blessed Are the Sick onward, the lyrics moved toward the ancient Sumerian gods. Much of this is a nod to the Simon Necronomicon, which was influenced by Sumerian mythology, the author H. P. Lovecraft,[8] and fascination with the Roman Empire. However, some anti-religious elements continue to permeate the lyrics. Their albums are notable for being released in alphabetical order, with guitarist Trey Azagthoth commenting that it was a coincidence regarding the first two albums, but that it has been done consciously since then.[9]
History
Formation, demos and Altars of Madness (1984–1990)
Morbid Angel was formed in 1984 in Tampa, Florida by guitarist Trey Azagthoth and drummer/vocalist Mike Browning. The band made their debut in 1987 on the New Renaissance Records record label. They recorded their debut album, Abominations of Desolation, in 1986, but the band was unsatisfied with the final product and it remained unreleased until 1991, printing 10,000 copies. In the early stages of their career the band developed a reputation for "gruesome stage antics."[1]
In 1986, David Vincent joined the band, replacing Michael Manson and Sterling von Scarborough as vocalist and bassist respectively. Fellow Terrorizer drummer Pete Sandoval soon followed. Their first studio album, Altars of Madness, was released in 1989, and is regarded by many as one of the most important death metal albums of all time. It is sometimes considered the first true death metal album.[10][11][12] Music journalist Jason Birchmeier writes that:
Few albums struck a chord within the ears and minds of the late-'80s underground metal scene like Morbid Angel's Altars of Madness did at the end of the decade, setting a new precedent for metal bands to reach. With the arguable exception of Chuck Schuldiner's Death, never before had a heavy metal band carried their lightning-fast guitar riffs and equally spellbinding guitar solos into such horrific territory. Venom and Slayer redefined the extent to which a metal band could align itself with all things evil during the beginning of the decade, but Morbid Angel made these two groups sound like children's music compared to the Florida-based group's assaulting death metal sounds and their blasphemous lyrics.[13]
Rise to success (1991–1995)
1991 saw the release of their second album, Blessed Are the Sick, which was met with widespread critical acclaim, and is considered by many to be a landmark release in the death metal genre.[14] The album differed from its predecessor, showcasing a more "sludgy" side to the band. Following the success of Altars of Madness' and 'Blessed are the Sick', in the Spring of 1992 Morbid Angel were signed by Irving Azoff to Giant Records for one album, with the option of five more.[3] Later that same year, second guitarist Richard Brunelle was kicked out of the band due to alleged substance abuse.[2]
On June 22, 1993 the band released their third full-length album 'Covenant', which went on to sell over 150,000 copies in the United States alone. Their record label dedicated promotional resources to the album, and commissioned music videos for the songs 'Rapture' and 'God of Emptiness'. These music videos were put on heavy rotation by MTV, and the latter also appeared on the television show Beavis and Butt-head. The success of the album enabled the band to tour with Black Sabbath and Motörhead across the United States from February through March of 1994, which David Vincent credits with helping the band significantly expand their audience.[2][15]
The band released its fourth studio album, Domination, on May 9, 1995, which featured new guitarist Erik Rutan of Ripping Corpse. It proved to be a somewhat controversial album among fans, featuring a slower, more atmospheric and experimental sound than on previous albums.[16] Music critic describes the album's sound as "more groove-oriented".[17] The album has gone on to sell over 100,000 copies in the United States alone. Regardless, following the release of the album their record label dropped them from their roster.[4][18]
Steve Tucker era (1996–2003)
In 1996, shortly after the release of their live album titled Entangled in Chaos, bassist/vocalist David Vincent departed the band and was replaced by Steve Tucker. They released their fifth full-length album Formulas Fatal to the Flesh in 1998, which was considered more aggressive and complex than their previous album 'Domination'.[1] With Tucker, the band went on to release Gateways to Annihilation and Heretic in 2000 and 2003 respectively. Tucker briefly left Morbid Angel in 2001 and was replaced by former Hate Eternal bassist and vocalist Jared Anderson. In 2002 however, Anderson left the band and Tucker re-assumed his position as bassist and vocalist.[14]
Reunion with David Vincent (2004–2014)
In 2004, Steve Tucker once again left the band, paving the way for former vocalist/bassist David Vincent to return. The band continued by touring and playing festivals such as Wacken Open Air in 2006.
Morbid Angel's appearance on some of the mid-summer 2008 European festivals was announced as a "short break from writing and pre-production of their new 8th studio album".[19] In May 2008, it was announced that Destructhor from Zyklon would be the band's new guitarist,[20] and Destructhor would appear on the new album.
On March 5, 2011, the band headlined the Scion Rock Fest in Pomona, California. This performance was their first in the US in six years, aside from a one-off show in Los Angeles in May 2009.[21] On March 18, 2010, the band announced that Tim Yeung would play drums on the upcoming album, allowing Pete Sandoval to recover from back surgery.[22] On June 22, 2010, the band entered the studio to begin the recording of their new full-length album.[23] On March 9, 2011, Morbid Angel confirmed that their new album would be called Illud Divinum Insanus.[24] The album was released on June 7, 2011 on Season of Mist.[23][24] In an interview in December 2013, David Vincent confirmed that Pete Sandoval is no longer a member of the band, claiming that Sandoval had "found Jesus", and stating, "Pete Sandoval and Morbid Angel are not compatible", laying to rest speculation that Sandoval would eventually be returning to the band.[25]
Asked in a December 2014 interview about Morbid Angel's plans for 2015, Vincent replied, "We're done [touring] for awhile. It's time to write."[26] Yeung said that the band was in talks of recording an EP.[27]
Reunion with Steve Tucker (2015–present)
On June 15, 2015, it was reported that David Vincent and Tim Yeung were no longer in the band. Former vocalist/bassist Steve Tucker has once again rejoined, and a replacement drummer has yet to be found.[28][29] Later that day, however, Vincent denied that he had left the band.[30] On his official Facebook page, Steve Tucker hinted in a post on the 17th of June that guitarist Destructhor is no longer part of Morbid Angel either: "Who will play second guitar? Time will answer that one..."[31] On June 18, 2015, this was confirmed, as Destructhor announced his departure from Morbid Angel to focus on the Norwegian death metal band Myrkskog.[32] On June 19, 2015, David Vincent confirmed that he left Morbid Angel, due to creative differences.[33] Both Vincent and Yeung teamed up together in late 2016 to form the band I Am Morbid.[34]
On August 3, 2016, it was announced that Morbid Angel was signed to UDR Music and is currently at work on a new studio album, which will be released in 2017, with a tour to follow.[35] On January 9, 2017, Trey Azagthoth announced on his Facebook page that Scott Fuller from Annihilated joined Morbid Angel for the recording of their new album. Additional details indicated that the album title would presumably start with the letter "K", given the band's history on naming their albums alphabetically.[36] The next day, the band announced that they had hired Dan Vadim Von from Vadimvon as their second guitarist. They also announced a U.S. tour with Suffocation, Revocation and Withered, which would begin in May.[37] In a March 14 interview on The Metal Magdalene With Jet show on Metal Messiah Radio, Steve Tucker explained that the album would definitely be a "death metal album".[38]
When speaking to Orlando Weekly in a May interview, Tucker said that the tour setlist wouldn't feature any David Vincent era material and would then perform songs featuring him instead. He also said that they would play "probably one or two new songs" from the new album, in which he issued an update: "the album's almost done, but we don't want to put out too much with YouTube putting it up the next day."[39]
Legacy and controversy
Morbid Angel have been one of the most highly influential bands in the growth and development of death metal along with death metal band Cannibal Corpse.[1][7][40] Former guitarist Erik Rutan went on to form the successful death metal band Hate Eternal, while the South Carolina band Nile have gone on to enjoy significant levels of success in a similar style of death metal.[1] Their sound has also heavily influenced the growth and development of death metal and black metal in Brazil and South America, as well as of the early black metal scene in Norway.[1] Many bands have cited Morbid Angel as an influence on their own music, including Immortal,[41] Krisiun,[42] Gorguts,[43] Behemoth,[44] Dead Congregation,[45] Gojira,[46] Opeth,[47] Pyrrhon,[48] Revocation,[49] and many others. Their early release 'Abominations of Desolation' as well as 'Altars of Madness' are considered two of the earliest true examples of death metal, as well as two of the most boundary-pushing albums of their time in terms of extremity.[50] Metalsucks named them one of the most important bands of the 90s, writing that "The band released three seminal albums — Blessed are the Sick, Covenant, and Domination — between 1991 and 1995 alone (and there are definitely fans who’d say we’re being unfair to 1998’s Formulas Fatal to the Flesh). And thanks to a little show called Beavis and Butt-Head, Morbid Angel became death metal’s ambassadors to the outside world, acting as the gateway drug for who even knows how many scores of kids."[51]
Guitarist Trey Azagthoth is one of the most influential and widely revered guitarists in heavy metal.[52][53][54] Loudwire named him one of the top 10 rock and metal "riff lords", writing that "Trey Azagthoth left his fingerprints all over the early death metal scene with a unique riffing style still unmatched within the genre today. [...] His unconventional style sounds haphazard in its approach, awkwardly stepping over piles of rubbles left from previous riffing attacks, but with crushing effect."[55] VH1 have described him as "a unique and thrilling lead player more following in the adventurous footsteps of Eddie Van Halen than a stiff tactician. Bands like Hate Eternal and Nile have used the now common death metal language that Morbid Angel commenced. Their influence is most clearly represented by current Metal heavyweight, Gojira."[56] SPIN write that "he has blazed a tension-filled style all his own" and that "when he solos, he enters a mystical mind state he calls the "Temple of Ostx".[57] During the nineties the band were one of a number of bands involved in the scare created around death metal, and were featured in a news report about the issue due to the band's overtly Satanic and occult lyrics and imagery.[58][59]
Musical style
Morbid Angel's style of music has undergone a number of changes throughout their musical career. The band's sound is characterised by harsh, growled vocals, technically complex guitarwork that frequently makes use of fast tremolo-picking and palm-muted riffs.[60] Azagthoth's guitarwork is a core part of the band's sound, as he displays "mad virtuosity in riffs and solos alike, wielding atonality and shred in solos like a version of Kerry King that knew what he was doing."[53] Pete Sandoval's work behind the drums has also been crucial to the band's sound, and "is known for his great double bass drum speed and technical proficiency" and as one of the fastest drummers in metal.[61] In addition, "Sandoval is also among the first extreme metal drummers to champion the use of acoustic drum triggers."[61] On their early albums, they pushed metal to its most extreme level, musically and lyrically.[14] The band has evolved their anti-Christian lyrical themes from these early works. On 'Altars of Madness' the lyrics largely consist of simple blasphemous and overtly Satanic proclamations.[1] However the sophistication and depth of the lyrics has grown over time. On their 1993 album 'Covenant', the band articulate more broadly anti-theistic lyrics, and profess "anger at a higher power." Today, "the band's lyrics are even more philosophical and thought-provoking. Current lyricist Trey Azagthoth has diagramed his personal ideology in the album "Formulas Fatal to the Flesh". His stance is blasphemous and non-traditional, but hardly evil."[1]
Members
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Morbid_Angel_01_2008.jpg/250px-Morbid_Angel_01_2008.jpg)
Current members
- Trey Azagthoth – guitar, guitar synthesizer, keyboards, backing vocals (1984–present)
- Steve Tucker – vocals, bass guitar (1997–2001, 2003–2004, 2015–present)
- Scott Fuller – drums (2017–present)
- Dan Vadim Von – guitar (2017–present)
Former members
- Mike Browning – drums, percussion, vocals (1984–1986)
- Dallas Ward – bass guitar, vocals (1984–1985)
- Terri Samuels – vocals (1984)
- Richard Brunelle – guitar (1985–1992, 1994, 1998)
- John Ortega – bass guitar (1985–1986)
- Kenny Bamber – vocals (1985)
- David Vincent – lead vocals, bass guitar (1986–1996, 2004–2015)
- Wayne Hartsell – drums (1986–1988)
- Michael Manson – vocals (1986)
- Sterling Von Scarborough – bass guitar (1986; died 2006)
- Pete Sandoval – drums, percussion (1988–2010)
- Erik Rutan – guitar, keyboards (1993–1996, 1998–2002, 2006)
- Jared Anderson – vocals, bass guitar (2001–2002; died 2006)
- Destructhor – guitar (2008–2015)
- Tim Yeung – drums (2010–2015)
Timeline (Recording Era; 1988-present)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/ogn6zm0l7l4qel23p3s078f27xvh2u9.png)
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [62] |
US Heat. [62] |
US Ind. [62] |
CHE [63] |
FIN [64] |
FRA [65] |
GRC [66] |
NLD [67] |
SWE [68] |
UK [69] | ||||
1989 | Altars of Madness
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1991 | Blessed Are the Sick
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 81 | — | — | ||
1993 | Covenant
|
— | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1995 | Domination
|
— | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 93 | — | 124 |
| |
1998 | Formulas Fatal to the Flesh
|
— | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | 93 | — | — |
| |
2000 | Gateways to Annihilation
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
2003 | Heretic
|
— | 27 | 28 | — | — | 146 | — | — | — | — |
| |
2011 | Illud Divinum Insanus
|
141 | 3 | 24 | 97 | 18 | — | — | — | 41 | — | ||
"—" denotes a release that did not chart. |
Live albums
Year | Album details |
---|---|
1996 | Entangled in Chaos
|
2015 | Juvenilia
|
Compilation albums
Year | Album details |
---|---|
2012 | Illud Divinum Insanus – The Remixes
|
2016 | The Best of Morbid Angel
|
Demo albums
Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
NLD [67] | ||
1991 | Abominations of Desolation
|
77 |
EPs
Year | EP details |
---|---|
1994 | Laibach Re-mixes
|
Singles
Year | Song | Album |
---|---|---|
1988 | "Thy Kingdom Come" | Non-album single |
1991 | "Fall From Grace" | Blessed Are the Sick |
"Abominations" | ||
"Day of Suffering" | ||
"The Ancient Ones" | ||
1993 | "Rapture" | Covenant |
1994 | "God of Emptiness" | |
1995 | "Where The Slime Live" | Domination |
2001 | "Opening of the Gates" | Gateways To Annihilation |
2011 | "Nevermore" | Illud Divinum Insanus |
Music videos
Year | Song | Director |
---|---|---|
1989 | "Immortal Rites" | |
1991 | "Blessed Are the Sick/Leading the Rats" | |
1993 | "God of Emptiness" | Tony Kunewalder |
"Rapture" | ||
1995 | "Where the Slime Live" | |
2003 | "Enshrined by Grace" | Pete Bridgewater[75] |
2012 | "Existo Vulgoré" | Thomas Mignone |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Purcell, Natalie J. (2003-05-05). Death Metal Music: The Passion and Politics of a Subculture. McFarland. ISBN 9780786484065.
- ^ a b c "20 Years Of Morbid Angel's Covenant". TeamRock. 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- ^ a b "Covenant Turns 20". Stereogum. 2013-06-20. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- ^ a b "MORBID ANGEL: 'Domination' Reissued On Limited-Edition Digipak CD With Free Poster". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Decibel Magazine Names the Top 20 Death Metal Guitarists of All Time". MetalSucks. 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Morbid Angel is the Third Best Selling Death Metal Band (Hitting this mark with only 8 Albums)". Blabbermouth. January 12, 2003. Archived from the original on December 2, 2003.
{{cite news}}
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- ^ "HPLA – Lovecraftian Music". Hplovecraft.com. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
- ^ "Morbid Angel Interview". Metal-Rules.com. 2003-09-23. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
- ^ "The Terrorizer Friday Death Metal Top 15 - Terrorizer". Terrorizer. 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "No. 4: Morbid Angel, 'Altars of Madness' – Best Debut Metal Albums". Loudwire. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "10 Essential Death Metal Albums". www.treblezine.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
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- ^ APPLEFORD, STEVE (1994-03-04). "Hard Rock of Ages : Metal heroes Black Sabbath are still going strong after more than two decades and drawing a new generation of euphoric, stage-diving fans". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- ^ "Justify Your Shitty Taste: Morbid Angel's 'Domination'". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Domination - Morbid Angel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
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- ^ "NEWS / LavaReport". MorbidAngel.com. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
- ^ "Morbid Angel Announces New Guitarist – in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Scion Rock Fest 2011 to Be Held in Pomona, Metal Legends Morbid Angel (Featuring "the Greatest Death Metal Guitarist Ever") to Headline". laweekly.com. January 12, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ "Morbid Angel Drummer Pete Sandoval Undergoes Back Surgery". MetalUnderground.com. March 18, 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ a b "MORBID ANGEL Begins Recording New Album". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
- ^ a b "Morbid Angel: New Album Title Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. March 9, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
- ^ "Interview: Dave Vincent of Morbid Angel". Invisible Oranges. December 5, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
- ^ "Morbid Angel's Tim Yeung Says There Is Talk Of Band Recording New EP". Blabbermouth.net. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ "Morbid Angel's David Vincent: 'It's Time To Write'". Blabbermouth.net. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ "Morbid Angel Parts Ways With David Vincent, Reunites With Steve Tucker". Blabbermouth.net. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "It's Official: Drummer Tim Yeung Exits Morbid Angel". Blabbermouth.net. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "David Vincent: 'I Have Not Left Morbid Angel Nor Have I Been Asked To Do So'". Blabbermouth.net. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Here are a few answers". facebook.com. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "MORBID ANGEL Parts Ways With Guitarist DESTRUCTHOR". 18 June 2015.
- ^ "David Vincent Encourages Fans To Stay Morbid". memberemail.com. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
- ^ "Former MORBID ANGEL Members DAVID VINCENT And TIM YEUNG Reunite In I AM MORBID". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
- ^ "Morbid Angel to Release New Album + Tour in 2017, Sign With UDR Music". Loudwire.com. August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ "Trey Azagthoth Announces New Morbid Angel Drummer, Gives Album Update". Loudwire. January 9, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ "Morbid Angel To Tour U.S. With Suffocation, Revocation, Withered; Second Guitarist Announced". Blabbermouth.net. January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "MORBID ANGEL Frontman Says Upcoming Record Will Definitely Be 'A Death Metal Album'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ "Pioneering Florida death metal outfit Morbid Angel celebrates new lineup, forthcoming album and first tour in years". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ Distefano, Alex (2015-10-01). "The 10 Best Death Metal Bands". OC Weekly. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "IMMORTAL INTERVIEW - METALKINGS.COM". metalkings.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Interview with Krisiun - MetalBite - Heavy Metal Webzine". MetalBite. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Canadian Assault zine". www.canadianassault.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Get Ready to ROCK! Interview with Nergal of metal rock band Behemoth". www.getreadytorock.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Dead Congregation interview - Bardo Methodology". Bardo Methodology. 2016-12-07. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ Says, Truthtalk5 (2013-11-29). "Interview: Joe Duplantier of Gojira on authentic metal, emerging from France, and fighting alongside the Sea Shepherd". Vanyaland. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ ""There's a lot more to Opeth than death metal": DiS Meets Mikael Åkerfeldt". DrownedInSound. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "An interview with Pyrrhon". LURKER. 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Interview: Dave Davidson From Revocation". thenewfury.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Death Metal Underground: 5 albums that invented death metal". www.deathmetal.org. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "The 25 Most Important Metal Bands of the '90s: #25, Morbid Angel". MetalSucks. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
- ^ "Dear Guitar Hero: Trey Azagthoth". Guitar World. 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ a b "Treble's Top 100 Guitarists". www.treblezine.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "GUITAR WORLD's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2004-01-23. Archived from the original on 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
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- ^ "SPIN's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time | SPIN". Spin. 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Early 90s News Report on Death Metal feat. MORBID ANGEL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY - Metal Injection". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ Distefano, Alex (2013-10-01). "The 10 Most Satanic Metal Bands". OC Weekly. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
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- ^ a b Administrator. "Sick Drummer Magazine | Pete Sandoval". sickdrummermagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ a b c Peak chart positions in the United States:
- "Morbid Angel – Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
- "Morbid Angel Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- "Morbid Angel Album & Song Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
- "Morbid Angel Album & Song Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
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- ^ "Discography Morbid Angel". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
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- ^ "Discography Morbid Angel". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
- ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: M – My Vitriol". Zobbel. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
- ^ "It's Official: CANNIBAL CORPSE Are The Top-Selling Death Metal Band Of The SoundScan Era". 17 November 2003.
- ^ a b c d "MORBID ANGEL: 'Illud Divinum Insanus' First-Week Sales Revealed". 15 June 2011.
- ^ "Sludge Scan for September 8, 1999 | Metal Sludge". 2014-01-01. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "MusicMight :: Artists :: MORBID ANGEL".
- ^ "Divinum morbid metal numbers - Metal Insider".
- ^ "MORBID ANGEL's 'Enshrined By Grace' Video to receive MTV2 premiere this weekend". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)