Morbid Angel's "Heretic" album review...

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From into-obscurity.com
The mighty Morbid Angel are back once again. Functioning as a three piece for the first time since their "Covenant" days, as Erik Rutan left to pursue his other band Hate Eternal on a more full-time basis, "Heretic" sees Steve Tucker once again joining the fold handling bass and vocal duties.
The album starts off with "Cleansed in Pesilence (Blade of Elohim)", a powerful and heavy death metal song which reminds me of something from the band's "Domination" days. It alters from being frenetic to slow and groovy to downright brutal. It covers all the bases. Next up is "Enshrined by Grace" which threw me off at first because of its borderline nu-metal guitar chugging intro. But afterwards, it turns into a pretty killer track. Some of the other tracks have a technical feel to them that I've never heard from Morbid Angel before. The drumming is a bit more interesting than the standard Pete Sandoval blast beats or double bass straight through, although never fear - that is still a staple in his drumming diet. He keeps some odd times and guitarist Trey Azagthoth has some moments of pure technical genius as well - not so much in his blazing speed, but in his arrangements, chord fingerings and downright backwards riffing. No one yet has been able to sound like Morbid Angel and I think Azagthoth's trademark guitarwork is the reason why. Steve Tucker's voice, having been criticized since the day he replaced David Vincent, is actually quite strong on "Heretic".

The last four songs present some confusion to me. "Memories of the Past" is a very classical sounding piece - eerily similar to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". Played on a keyboard (or maybe a guitar with MIDI settings - it's hard to tell), this piece is very sad and calm. I really dig it. After that is "Victorious March of Rain the Conqueror" which sounds like something that would've come off the "Conan: The Barbarian" soundtrack. It's also an instrument and it has the familiar sounds of a war march. Next up is a track titled "Drum Check" which is just that - Pete Sandoval doing a nice little drum solo and really showing us what he's capable of. Rather impressive. Lastly, the album closes with "Born Again", which is just Trey Azagthoth doing a sort of improv guitar solo. It sounds like he screws up a few times and the whole thing has a strange effect on the guitar which makes it hard to listen to. At this point, you may be wondering what the confusion is. Well, I just don't understand why these four songs were put at the end of the CD in this order. It seems more logical to spread the instrumentals out between some of the heavier, more conventional Morbid Angel type songs that make up the first two thirds of the album. They are better suited as interludes anyhow and it's a strange change of pace to just break down towards the end of the CD for so long.

The only way to enjoy "Heretic" is to first let go of the notion that there's any chance Morbid Angel are ever going to put out another "Altars of Madness" or "Blessed are the Sick". That said - "Heretic" is easily their best effort since their "Covenant" or "Domination" days. It's full of the same virtuoso musicianship and stellar songwriting that you've come to expect from these death metal forerunners.

Sounds damn good!

Doctor J

I read there's only 7 or 8 "real" songs on it, the rest are all crappy instrumental bits and pieces.

My money's going on the 2cd edition. There might be stuff on the second disk to flesh it out a bit.

It's such a damn shame David Vincent went nuts.

cournioni

Originally posted by Doctor J
I read there's only 7 or 8 "real" songs on it, the rest are all crappy instrumental bits and pieces.

My money's going on the 2cd edition. There might be stuff on the second disk to flesh it out a bit.

It's such a damn shame David Vincent went nuts.

The instrumentals on Morbid Angel albums are usually the best parts of the album. The one on Blessed are the Sick is absolutely class.

Doctor J

The flute one or the acoustic one?

The acoustic one I like a lot, I could do without the flute one or the sorta bombastic one. I'd rather they just got down to business like on Covenant.

When they really let rip, there's no-one who can come close, but I'm just not too fond of the instrumentals.

Shred

One of me mates bought it (posts under the moniker 'Ancient1') and he reckons it kicks major ass, shall check it out shortly

Ancient1

Damn right!
I dont wanna ruin anyone's surprises - let just call it what it is:
a MASTERPIECE WITHOUT EQUAL.


If you listen to it daily, in 6 months time you'll still discover new things on it and never tire.
A must have for anyone into extreme music - the compositions, the technical perfection, the concept - everything - will leave you breathless.
THIS is "shock and awe" !

cournioni

Originally posted by Doctor J
The flute one or the acoustic one?

The acoustic one I like a lot, I could do without the flute one or the sorta bombastic one. I'd rather they just got down to business like on Covenant.

When they really let rip, there's no-one who can come close, but I'm just not too fond of the instrumentals.

Well all I have to say is that I love all of their instrumentals. Whatever floats yer boat.

nosmo

Originally posted by PORNAPSTER
The instrumentals on Morbid Angel albums are usually the best parts of the album. The one on Blessed are the Sick is absolutely class.

Desolate Ways (the acoustic one) has to be one of my favorite songs ever

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Originally posted by nosmo
Desolate Ways (the acoustic one) has to be one of my favorite songs ever

Thats the one!

Ancient1

Lastly, the album closes with "Born Again", which is just Trey Azagthoth doing a sort of improv guitar solo. It sounds like he screws up a few times and the whole thing has a strange effect on the guitar which makes it hard to listen to.

It's not improvisation. Trey's solos are themes, and this particular piece is from "Gateways". It may sound like he screws up, but he doesnt - it's Trey's unique phrasing.

Well, I just don't understand why these four songs were put at the end of the CD in this order. It seems more logical to spread the instrumentals out between some of the heavier, more conventional Morbid Angel type songs that make up the first two thirds of the album.

They got the same criticism for doing that on "Formulas" - Trey's reasoning was that they would have like to use it as interludes but they didnt want to interrupt the flow of the music of the first part of the cd.
Basically you get nine full songs which work out at a standard death 45-50mins or so, and then you get the bits at the end.
I would have like to have them as interludes as well, but there you go...maybe its to relax you after your brain has been thoroughly fried by the initial madness !:D

cournioni

Yeah, I loved "Melting" and "Dreaming" on Domination. I thought they were great interludes and gave us a minute or two to get our breath back from such pulsating death metal. It's a pity the instrumentals are at the end of Heretic, I would have liked them to be spread out as you put it. Still I'm not complaining. Can't wait to hear Sandoval's drum solo!

Ancient1

If you dont have Heretic yet make sure you get the ltd edition with the 2nd disc - you wouldnt want to be without it !
I loved the extra "Love of Lava" attached to Formulas, but wait til you hear this ! Cant say anything now - dont wanna ruin it for you
The drum solo? Thats an understatement (its called "drum check" on the cd - CHECK?? CHECK ?? DRUM CHECK? - it should have been called "Panzer Brigade thru your Sitting Room on a Sunday Morning" )

cournioni

Will remember to do so, thanks! I'd say Sandoval absolutely destroys the skins on his snare/toms on the drum solo!

Ancient1

Hey Pornapster,
check this out http://angemorbide.free.fr/

awesome unofficial site, tons of great interviews (enter the english version).

Ancient1

funny name though....je suis morbide..??:D

cournioni

Great site. Gotta love the Desolate Ways midi.

Ancient1

http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/MorbidAngel-Sept2003.htm

Seriously long interview - but worth it.