Morbid Angel
Rapture

I've already talked about Carcass and Napalm Death, Benediction and Sinister, Brutality and Obituary, Brutal Truth and Entombed; all crucial bands in terms of Death Metal. The Morbid Angel is still missing from the list; I'm here for them on this chilly evening; I'll focus on the first single drawn from the album "Covenant". The album I favor from the Florida trio: a true sacred text for those who adore these malignant sounds. I won't bore you with the history of the Floridian band; I'll just say that the album was released, like Death's "Individual Thought Patterns", on June 22, 1993. Two of the most representative bands of all musical extremism choosing the same date to release authentic masterpieces. I still remember my youthful and joyous enthusiasm in simultaneously purchasing the two works that remained on my stereo for weeks, disturbing the neighborhood's sleep!!! But let's get to the heart of the matter.

The auditory Via Crucis opens with the track "Rapture"; there are three distinctive traits of Morbid Angel's ravenous sound. First, the powerful, lightning-fast, militaristic drumming of Pete "Commando" Sandoval; next, the twisted, atonal, chaotic guitar phrasing of Trey Azagthoth (the author of almost all the Morbid Angel’s songs). And finally, the compressed and commanding growl of vocalist David Vincent. In "Rapture", these features are enhanced and amplified by a fierce and devastating production. A cynical and violent song, among the most famous ever released by the group; I recommend watching the dramatic and unsettling promotional video to better understand Pete’s absurd execution speed, always in double bass.

It is followed by the even more aggressive and slaughterous "Pain Divine", which contains one of the most inspired and deranged guitar solos ever written by Trey; and the divine pain of the title is nothing but the suffering experienced by the Son of God on the Cross. Blasphemous, anti-Christian, and against all forms of religion: another grim constant that has always accompanied Morbid Angel's career.

Regarding the third track on the single, "Sworn To The Black", I won't say anything. Discover its tentacular heaviness for yourselves.

A band worthy of distinction for at least a couple more albums; then a steady decline and a final work published in 2011 that is pure garbage.

Ad Maiora.