Morbid Angel formed in 1984 in Tampa, Florida. The band made their vinyl debut in 1987 on New Renaissance Records. 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. Their first proper studio album, Altars of Madness, was released in 1989.
Morbid Angel 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 adding guttural vocals, up-tempo blast beats, incorporating atonality in guitar soloing, and dark, chunky, mid paced rhythms. They were also the first death metal band to have a touch of mainstream success, such as being signed to Giant Records in 1992 and having the music video for the song "God of Emptiness" shown on an episode of Beavis and Butthead.
The band's original lyrical themes focused mostly on Satanism, paganism and anti-Christian subject matter, but from their second album, Blessed Are the Sick onward, the lyrics slowly moved toward the ancient Sumerian gods, though much of this is a nod to the Simon Necronomicon, which was influenced by Sumerian mythology as well as the author H. P. Lovecraft[1], as well as a fascination with the Roman Empire, though "anti-christian" elements continue to permeate the lyrics. Their albums are notable for being released in alphabetical order (their first album starts with the letter A, the second with B, etc.). Guitarist Trey Azagthoth has said in an interview that it was at first a coincidence with the first albums [1].
As stated on their official website, Morbid Angel's appearance on some of the mid-summer 2008 European festivals is announced as a "short break from writing and pre-production of their new 8th Studio album" (most likely starting with the letter "I", as all of Morbid Angel's albums, starting with Altars of Madness, have followed an alphabetic theme ) which would be the follow-up to 2003's Heretic. No label has yet been officially announced for this release.
In May 2008 it was announced that Thor Anders Myhren of Zyklon would be the band's new touring guitarist.[2] It is also thought that Myhren will appear on Morbid Angel's upcoming album.
During European tours and festivals in 2008 a new song, "Nevermore" had been played from the forthcoming album.
MORBID curiosity
A morbid curiosity is an example of addictive curiosity the object of which are death and horrible violence or any other event that may hurt you physically or emotionally (see also: snuff film), the addictive emotion being explainable by meta-emotions exercising pressure on the spontaneous curiosity itself. In a milder form, however, this can be understood as a cathartic form of behavior or as something instinctive within humans[citation needed]. According to Aristotle, in his Poetics we even "enjoy contemplating the most precise images of things whose sight is painful to us." (This aspect of our nature is often referred to as the 'Car Crash Syndrome' or 'Trainwreck Syndrome', derived from the notorious supposed inability of passersby to ignore such accidents.)
Heretic is the seventh studio album by the death metal band Morbid Angel.
Stylistically, this album tends to move between the two differing styles Morbid Angel has toyed with in the past, with moments of powerful speed (Formulas... and Altars...) mixing with moments of atmospheric slowness (Blessed..., Gateways...). This is also the only album made not to be recorded at Morrisound Recording and the band's final release under Earache Records, as the band decided not to renew its contract.
The second track, "Enshrined By Grace," is featured on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre soundtrack. It also had a music video which received airplay in the months following the album release.
The song "Born Again" is actually the intro guitar solo from the song "Secured Limitations" off Gateways to Annihilation.
1. Cleansed in Pestilence (Blade of Elohim)" – 4:35
2. "Enshrined by Grace" – 4:27
3. "Beneath the Hollow" – 4:20
4. "Curse the Flesh" – 3:35
5. "Praise the Strength" – 5:16
6. "Stricken Arise" – 4:10
7. "Place of Many Deaths" – 4:13
8. "Abyssous" – 1:30
9. "God of Our Own Divinity" – 6:21
10. "Within thy Enemy" – 3:17
11. "Memories of the Past" – 3:18
12. "Victorious March of Reign the Conqueror" – 2:37
13. "Drum Check" – 2:51
14. "Born Again" – 2:35
[edit] Bonus tracks
The album contains additional tracks after "Born Again". Many of these are silent, while some contain guitar solos or ambiance (notably the sound effects from "Place of Many Deaths" on "Tortured Souls"). When ripped to a computer, the tracks with solos or songs have mostly comical names. The disc has 44 tracks and, according to interviews with Trey Azagthoth, the tracks' numbers and duration have some meaning.
Tracks not listed are silent. Names given are taken directly from the CD-Text on the disc.
30. "Inflections" – 1:35
35. "Tortured Souls" – 3:50 (sound effects from "Place of Many Deaths")
41. "Terror of MechaGodzilla Lava!" – 0:33
42. "Triplet Lava!!" – 0:51
43. "Doomcreeper" – 4:30 (instrumental version of "Beneath the Hollow")
44. "Laff" – 0:18
[edit] Bonus Levels
A few pressings of the album were made with an extra disc called Bonus Levels. The first six tracks are all songs off the first disc, with synthesized drums and no vocals. The remaining tracks are guitar solos.
1. "Beneath the Hollow" instrumental – 4:25
2. "Curse the Flesh" instrumental – 3:34
3. "Within Thy Enemy" instrumental – 3:16
4. "God of Our Own Divinity" instrumental – 6:13
5. "Praise the Strength" instrumental – 5:15
6. "Place of Many Deaths" instrumental – 4:06
7. "Beneath the Hollow" guitar solo – 0:23
8. "Curse the Flesh" guitar solo - 0:16
9. "Praise the Strength" guitar solo – 0:16
10. "God of Our Own Divinity" guitar solo – 0:36
11. "Summoning Redemption" guitar solo 1 – 0:28
12. "Summoning Redemption" guitar solo 2 – 0:24
13. "Summoning Redemption" guitar solo 3 – 0:28
14. "Ageless, Still I Am" guitar solo 1 – 0:38
15. "Ageless, Still I Am" guitar solo 2 – 0:24
16. "At One with Nothing" guitar solo 1 – 0:30
17. "At One with Nothing" guitar solo 3 – 0:32
18. "To the Victor the Spoils" guitar solo – 0:38
Erik Rutan (Born 1973) is a former guitarist for Morbid Angel and Ripping Corpse. He fronts Hate Eternal on lead vocals and guitar, a four-piece brutal death metal band. Aside from being a highly regarded self-taught lead guitarist, he also runs his own recording studio in Florida (Mana Recording Studios), and is making a name for himself as a producer. He produced the latest Cannibal Corpse album (Kill), Six Feet Under album (Commandment), Through the Eyes of the Dead (Malice) and Goatwhore (A Haunting Curse). He rejoined Morbid Angel as guitarist for their European tour summer 2006. Morbid Angel stated the following on the reunion: "This will certainly be an exciting event with the 'Domination' lineup together for the first time in 10 years!"
In 2007 he produced the Vital Remains album Icons of Evil. He also produced Through the Eyes of the Dead's new album.
In addition to his work with legendary death metal artists, Erik has also done a number of different side projects that highlight different aspects of his playing. For example, he formed the group Alas with former Therion vocalist Martina Astner, releasing the landmark progressive metal album "Absolute Purity" in 2001. With female lead vocals, orchestral synths, and a heavy emphasis on harmony and melody, "Absolute Purity" was a definite departure from Rutan's usual songwriting approach and a testament to his versatility within the genre.
The word "Rutan" means "the square" in swedish.
Erik has been asked twice to re-join Morbid Angel since 2006, and he has turned down both off
David Alexander Vincent (born April 22, 1965) aka Evil D is an American musician and is currently the lead vocalist and bassist for the seminal death metal band Morbid Angel as well as the bassist for Genitorturers. He cites the original Alice Cooper Band and, more specifically, Dennis Dunaway, as being what inspired him to play music in the first place. David hails originally from Charlotte, NC where he eventually formed his own Goreque Records which was what led to the first meeting with Morbid Angel before his eventually joining forces more integrally. The band ended up re-locating to Charlotte, NC for a brief period of time while the bulk of the songs that became Altars Of Madness were being written and rehearsed.
He left Morbid Angel after the 1995 album Domination to join his wife's industrial metal band, the Genitorturers. David's first contribution to the Genitorturers was backing vocals on the song, House Of Shame, from the major label debut of Genitorturers entitled 120 Days Of Genitorture. He rejoined Morbid Angel in 2004.
Vincent also played on one album, World Downfall, as the bassist / backing vocalist for a revamped version of the influential grindcore band Terrorizer (the band existed prior to Vincent's involvement) with original Terrorizer member and by then fellow Morbid Angel member Pete Sandoval as well as original Terrorizer member Jesse Pintado of Napalm Death.
He plays his own signature bass by Dean Guitars, the "Demonator".
David remains a long time registered member of The Church Of Satan.
Vincent has recently been working with Groove metal band Soulfly on their upcoming album, Conquer. He will also contribute as lead vocalist on the opening song "Blood Fire War Hate".
Trey Azagthoth (born George Emmanuel III March 26, 1965) is an American musician best known as founder and guitarist of the Florida death metal band Morbid Angel.
Azagthoth began playing at the age of 16. His playing features much utilization of the whammy bar, complex finger tapping, extensive use of a Morley Wah-wah pedal and other effects, and wailing guitar solos that have a distinct tone fans attempt to consider his trade-mark sound. He also does synth work for Morbid Angel. He cites Mozart and Eddie Van Halen as a huge influence and inspiration on his music. His state of mind when he solos is what he refers to as the "Temple of Ostx". A collection of some of his famous guitar solos from Morbid Angel's six album "Formulas Fatal to the Flesh" were put on a B-side record entitled "Love of Lava" which later were included on the second disc of Morbid Angel's 8th album, "Heretic". His non-musical interests include anime his favorite shows are Tenchi Muyo and Gundam, his favorite video games which include the Quake series, Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, and Metal Gear Solid and using his laptop.
Decibel Magazine ranked him number 1 on their list of the 20 best death metal guitarists. Trey uses Ibanez and Jackson guitars, and at one point B.C. Rich, but has stated on his personal myspace page that he has worked out a deal with Dean Guitars to make, as he calls it, a personalized "X-Core" V. He is most famous for using B.C. Rich Ironbird guitars and lately Jackson Warrior guitars. He was recently included in Guitar Worlds 50 fastest guitarists issue.
Morbid Angel 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 adding guttural vocals, up-tempo blast beats, incorporating atonality in guitar soloing, and dark, chunky, mid paced rhythms. They were also the first death metal band to have a touch of mainstream success, such as being signed to Giant Records in 1992 and having the music video for the song "God of Emptiness" shown on an episode of Beavis and Butthead.
The band's original lyrical themes focused mostly on Satanism, paganism and anti-Christian subject matter, but from their second album, Blessed Are the Sick onward, the lyrics slowly moved toward the ancient Sumerian gods, though much of this is a nod to the Simon Necronomicon, which was influenced by Sumerian mythology as well as the author H. P. Lovecraft[1], as well as a fascination with the Roman Empire, though "anti-christian" elements continue to permeate the lyrics. Their albums are notable for being released in alphabetical order (their first album starts with the letter A, the second with B, etc.). Guitarist Trey Azagthoth has said in an interview that it was at first a coincidence with the first albums [1].
As stated on their official website, Morbid Angel's appearance on some of the mid-summer 2008 European festivals is announced as a "short break from writing and pre-production of their new 8th Studio album" (most likely starting with the letter "I", as all of Morbid Angel's albums, starting with Altars of Madness, have followed an alphabetic theme ) which would be the follow-up to 2003's Heretic. No label has yet been officially announced for this release.
In May 2008 it was announced that Thor Anders Myhren of Zyklon would be the band's new touring guitarist.[2] It is also thought that Myhren will appear on Morbid Angel's upcoming album.
During European tours and festivals in 2008 a new song, "Nevermore" had been played from the forthcoming album.
MORBID curiosity
A morbid curiosity is an example of addictive curiosity the object of which are death and horrible violence or any other event that may hurt you physically or emotionally (see also: snuff film), the addictive emotion being explainable by meta-emotions exercising pressure on the spontaneous curiosity itself. In a milder form, however, this can be understood as a cathartic form of behavior or as something instinctive within humans[citation needed]. According to Aristotle, in his Poetics we even "enjoy contemplating the most precise images of things whose sight is painful to us." (This aspect of our nature is often referred to as the 'Car Crash Syndrome' or 'Trainwreck Syndrome', derived from the notorious supposed inability of passersby to ignore such accidents.)
Heretic is the seventh studio album by the death metal band Morbid Angel.
Stylistically, this album tends to move between the two differing styles Morbid Angel has toyed with in the past, with moments of powerful speed (Formulas... and Altars...) mixing with moments of atmospheric slowness (Blessed..., Gateways...). This is also the only album made not to be recorded at Morrisound Recording and the band's final release under Earache Records, as the band decided not to renew its contract.
The second track, "Enshrined By Grace," is featured on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre soundtrack. It also had a music video which received airplay in the months following the album release.
The song "Born Again" is actually the intro guitar solo from the song "Secured Limitations" off Gateways to Annihilation.
1. Cleansed in Pestilence (Blade of Elohim)" – 4:35
2. "Enshrined by Grace" – 4:27
3. "Beneath the Hollow" – 4:20
4. "Curse the Flesh" – 3:35
5. "Praise the Strength" – 5:16
6. "Stricken Arise" – 4:10
7. "Place of Many Deaths" – 4:13
8. "Abyssous" – 1:30
9. "God of Our Own Divinity" – 6:21
10. "Within thy Enemy" – 3:17
11. "Memories of the Past" – 3:18
12. "Victorious March of Reign the Conqueror" – 2:37
13. "Drum Check" – 2:51
14. "Born Again" – 2:35
[edit] Bonus tracks
The album contains additional tracks after "Born Again". Many of these are silent, while some contain guitar solos or ambiance (notably the sound effects from "Place of Many Deaths" on "Tortured Souls"). When ripped to a computer, the tracks with solos or songs have mostly comical names. The disc has 44 tracks and, according to interviews with Trey Azagthoth, the tracks' numbers and duration have some meaning.
Tracks not listed are silent. Names given are taken directly from the CD-Text on the disc.
30. "Inflections" – 1:35
35. "Tortured Souls" – 3:50 (sound effects from "Place of Many Deaths")
41. "Terror of MechaGodzilla Lava!" – 0:33
42. "Triplet Lava!!" – 0:51
43. "Doomcreeper" – 4:30 (instrumental version of "Beneath the Hollow")
44. "Laff" – 0:18
[edit] Bonus Levels
A few pressings of the album were made with an extra disc called Bonus Levels. The first six tracks are all songs off the first disc, with synthesized drums and no vocals. The remaining tracks are guitar solos.
1. "Beneath the Hollow" instrumental – 4:25
2. "Curse the Flesh" instrumental – 3:34
3. "Within Thy Enemy" instrumental – 3:16
4. "God of Our Own Divinity" instrumental – 6:13
5. "Praise the Strength" instrumental – 5:15
6. "Place of Many Deaths" instrumental – 4:06
7. "Beneath the Hollow" guitar solo – 0:23
8. "Curse the Flesh" guitar solo - 0:16
9. "Praise the Strength" guitar solo – 0:16
10. "God of Our Own Divinity" guitar solo – 0:36
11. "Summoning Redemption" guitar solo 1 – 0:28
12. "Summoning Redemption" guitar solo 2 – 0:24
13. "Summoning Redemption" guitar solo 3 – 0:28
14. "Ageless, Still I Am" guitar solo 1 – 0:38
15. "Ageless, Still I Am" guitar solo 2 – 0:24
16. "At One with Nothing" guitar solo 1 – 0:30
17. "At One with Nothing" guitar solo 3 – 0:32
18. "To the Victor the Spoils" guitar solo – 0:38
Erik Rutan (Born 1973) is a former guitarist for Morbid Angel and Ripping Corpse. He fronts Hate Eternal on lead vocals and guitar, a four-piece brutal death metal band. Aside from being a highly regarded self-taught lead guitarist, he also runs his own recording studio in Florida (Mana Recording Studios), and is making a name for himself as a producer. He produced the latest Cannibal Corpse album (Kill), Six Feet Under album (Commandment), Through the Eyes of the Dead (Malice) and Goatwhore (A Haunting Curse). He rejoined Morbid Angel as guitarist for their European tour summer 2006. Morbid Angel stated the following on the reunion: "This will certainly be an exciting event with the 'Domination' lineup together for the first time in 10 years!"
In 2007 he produced the Vital Remains album Icons of Evil. He also produced Through the Eyes of the Dead's new album.
In addition to his work with legendary death metal artists, Erik has also done a number of different side projects that highlight different aspects of his playing. For example, he formed the group Alas with former Therion vocalist Martina Astner, releasing the landmark progressive metal album "Absolute Purity" in 2001. With female lead vocals, orchestral synths, and a heavy emphasis on harmony and melody, "Absolute Purity" was a definite departure from Rutan's usual songwriting approach and a testament to his versatility within the genre.
The word "Rutan" means "the square" in swedish.
Erik has been asked twice to re-join Morbid Angel since 2006, and he has turned down both off
David Alexander Vincent (born April 22, 1965) aka Evil D is an American musician and is currently the lead vocalist and bassist for the seminal death metal band Morbid Angel as well as the bassist for Genitorturers. He cites the original Alice Cooper Band and, more specifically, Dennis Dunaway, as being what inspired him to play music in the first place. David hails originally from Charlotte, NC where he eventually formed his own Goreque Records which was what led to the first meeting with Morbid Angel before his eventually joining forces more integrally. The band ended up re-locating to Charlotte, NC for a brief period of time while the bulk of the songs that became Altars Of Madness were being written and rehearsed.
He left Morbid Angel after the 1995 album Domination to join his wife's industrial metal band, the Genitorturers. David's first contribution to the Genitorturers was backing vocals on the song, House Of Shame, from the major label debut of Genitorturers entitled 120 Days Of Genitorture. He rejoined Morbid Angel in 2004.
Vincent also played on one album, World Downfall, as the bassist / backing vocalist for a revamped version of the influential grindcore band Terrorizer (the band existed prior to Vincent's involvement) with original Terrorizer member and by then fellow Morbid Angel member Pete Sandoval as well as original Terrorizer member Jesse Pintado of Napalm Death.
He plays his own signature bass by Dean Guitars, the "Demonator".
David remains a long time registered member of The Church Of Satan.
Vincent has recently been working with Groove metal band Soulfly on their upcoming album, Conquer. He will also contribute as lead vocalist on the opening song "Blood Fire War Hate".
Trey Azagthoth (born George Emmanuel III March 26, 1965) is an American musician best known as founder and guitarist of the Florida death metal band Morbid Angel.
Azagthoth began playing at the age of 16. His playing features much utilization of the whammy bar, complex finger tapping, extensive use of a Morley Wah-wah pedal and other effects, and wailing guitar solos that have a distinct tone fans attempt to consider his trade-mark sound. He also does synth work for Morbid Angel. He cites Mozart and Eddie Van Halen as a huge influence and inspiration on his music. His state of mind when he solos is what he refers to as the "Temple of Ostx". A collection of some of his famous guitar solos from Morbid Angel's six album "Formulas Fatal to the Flesh" were put on a B-side record entitled "Love of Lava" which later were included on the second disc of Morbid Angel's 8th album, "Heretic". His non-musical interests include anime his favorite shows are Tenchi Muyo and Gundam, his favorite video games which include the Quake series, Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, and Metal Gear Solid and using his laptop.
Decibel Magazine ranked him number 1 on their list of the 20 best death metal guitarists. Trey uses Ibanez and Jackson guitars, and at one point B.C. Rich, but has stated on his personal myspace page that he has worked out a deal with Dean Guitars to make, as he calls it, a personalized "X-Core" V. He is most famous for using B.C. Rich Ironbird guitars and lately Jackson Warrior guitars. He was recently included in Guitar Worlds 50 fastest guitarists issue.
