The picture I posted in the announcement of our Death Metal week (link below) was a big hint, which some of you might have gotten. It was a picture of Trey Azagthoth, guitarist of Morbid Angel, so it was obvious to some that these Death Metal heavyweights would be included in my list of the most important Death Metal bands sooner or later.
Morbid Angel were formed in 1984, but didn’t release their debut album Altars Of Madness until 1989. The band originally recorded an album, Abominations Of Desolation, in 1986 but they were dissatisfied with the final product and later stated it was supposed to be a demo album. It was released in 1991 at the decision of Earache Records.
Morbid Angel were the first band of the rising Death Metal scene to have significant commercial success and to sign with a major record label. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Covenant — Morbid Angel’s third studio album, excluding Abominations Of Desolation — is the best selling Death Metal album of all time.
Despite the universal acclaim Morbid Angel achieved, they were not free from controversy. Their latest album Illud Divinum Insanus received very negative reactions from fans and critics alike. To call the reception mixed would be an understatement. Their debut album Altars Of Madness remains one of the most influential Death Metal releases of all time though.
Morbid Angel were ahead of their time, and their influence on the Death Metal scene can still be felt today. Especially the Florida Death Metal scene, which includes Obituary and Deicide, was practically built around Morbid Angel. Extreme music for extreme people.
Morbid Angel – Immortal Rites
Death ’til Death introduction – Day 1: Death – Day 2: Possessed – Day 3: Morbid Angel
Day 4: Cannibal Corpse – Day 5: Nile – Day 6: Hypocrisy – Day 7: Obituary
