Death Metal
Death Metal Veterans Morbid Angel Tear Up The Sound Barrier On ILLvd Divinum Insanus But With Some Tripped Out Influences
MORBID ANGEL – ILLvd Divinum Insanus
(Record Label: Season Of Mist)
Wow, Morbid Angel has traded in its death metal brutality for more of a mechanical, extreme-sounding 11-track affair. “ILLvd Divinum Insanus” is much more of a bold and daring move for a band that refined how death and black metal should be fused to create something refreshing, which they certainly succeeded in doing 20 years ago.
I remember, when I first heard the hellish and spine chilling atmosphere of “Altars Of Madness” and how it absolutely crushed my mind. My tongue dropped to the floor and I felt like I was caught in a freakish nightmare known as “Immortal Rites”, the first track on this CD. This is an experience, which a death metal band needs to create, an intense feeling of fear and despair and bleakness, but fast-forward to 2011, “ILLvd Divinum Insanus” creates an illusion of a different magnitude. The listener is taken on a turbulent and somewhat of a violent journey throughout the 11 tracks featured. A good example would be the song, “Blades For Baal”, showcasing the band’s cult death metal ideas mixed with more of an organic feel in the musicianship, which is what I really enjoy. The other non-death metal ideas are cool and surely add a lot more surrealistic picture to guitarist Trey’s visions of how Morbid Angel should sound in 2011.
“I am Morbid” comes across as a metallic and rock driven heavy metal anthem, more akin to the times when Swiss Thrashers, Celtic Frost were going through their experimental stages.
One aspect, which is now traded in for more of an aggressive vocal styles is vocalist/bassist’s deep to gruff death metal vocals. This new vocal style fits Morbid Angel’s new musical direction well, but having followed the band since the “Altars Of Madness” and “Blessed Are The Sick” releases, it’s tough to get into. I am pretty sure that with repeated spins of this new album, it will become natural to experience Morbid Angel’s newfound darkness and blasphemy the way it was meant to be, with an open mind.
Oddly, “ILLvd Divinum Insanus” in places reminds of Sepultura’s groundbreaking “Chaos A.D.” with its sometimes industrial drum beats and tripped out guitar riffs mixed in with a death metal approach.
This is Morbid Angel at its most musically diverse with the CD’s different mélange of influences on hand.
One should not write Morbid Angel off just yet as this 11-tracker should appeal to fans of their “Domination” album, which too was musically brutal in places and experimental in others.
The overall vibe of this new album is dark, maybe not as much as you’re probably used to hearing from this quartet, but it’s sure to open a lot of eyes within the extreme metal circles.
The musicianship is still top-notch, and session drummer Tim Yeung, who sat in on the drums in the studio for the recovering Pete Sandoval, has done a fantastic job.
This is certainly an interesting release by Morbid Angel, refreshing to many new heights and daring to others.
Sarjoo Devani
www.ExplicitlyIntense.com
About the Author
Graduate of California State University Northridge, School of Journalism
Have been writing professionally since 1995.
Published hard copy of Explicitly Intense Fanzine, which gradually transitioned into a four color, professionally printed heavy metal and hard rock music magazine. Published hard copy edition from 1998 to 2008.
Officially started www.ExplicitlyIntense.com ezine winter of 2009 to present.
Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of online version of Explicitly Intense.
I have interviewed such prominent bands as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Rob Halford. Tesla, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Derek Sherinian, Chris Jericho (Fozzy & former WWF Wrestler), Cannibal Corpse, Deftones, Glenn Danzig, Type O Negative, Queensryche, Exodus, and many more.
Death Metal Friday
|
|
Progressive Stainless Steel Mesh Tea Ball $0.01 This stainless steel mesh tea and herb infuser is 2 inches in diameter…. |
|
|
Bodum 16-Ounce Travel Coffee Press with Bodum Logo $13.71 A coffee aficionado’s way to travel, this brew-and-drink portable press from Bodum makes fresh coffee even fresher. Designed to brew on the go in French-press style, the piece features the Bodum logo, “Give Up Bad Coffee For Good.” Its makes great coffee in just four minutes, and its durable plastic construction means it’s handy for travel, camping, and commuting. The design includes insulated dou… |
|
|
Grasslands Road Authentic Skull Candy Bowl $27.00 Great decor piece for a Halloween party, or just for someone who enjoys a little bit of the macabre in their home or office…. |
|
|
Death Metal – Metalhit Sampler … |
|
|
American Capitalist [Explicit] $7.99 … |
|
|
American Capitalist $9.18 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Marilyn Manson – Dead to the World [VHS] $19.98 “Society has traditionally always tried to find scapegoats for its problems. Well, here I am.” – Marilyn Manson October 1996 The controversial events from the Antichrist Superstar Tour serve as the backdrop for this amazing document, all as seen through the video eye of the band’s own cameraman. The picketing zealots, the fulminating moralists, the disingenuous politicians, the tens of thous… |
|
|
GWAR Skulhedface [VHS] $19.98 … |
|
|
Sheet Metal Vol 1 [VHS] $6.98 Approximate Running Time 60 Minutes – Features : Death Angel – Stop / Death Angel – Stagnate / Death Angel – Misstress Of Pain / Death Angel – A Room With A View / Pantera – Heresy / Pantera – Message In Blood / Pantera – Domination / Pantera – Primal Concrete Sledge / Black Crowes – Thick ‘N’ Thin / Soul Asylum – Spinnin’ / Soul Asylum – Be On Your Way / Soul Asylum – Artificial Heart / Coffin Br… |
|
|
Skeleton Playing Guitar – 36W x 30H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $51.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
