Earache is probably the worst label in the world. The promo reads: "The true originators and Godfathers of the black metal scene have returned!". Shut up Earache. It's so silly seeing you trying to cash in on the worthless trend by creating "Wicked World". It's even worse trying to see you sell Morbid Angel off as black metal. They had some influence on the imagery perhaps...but the music itself!!?? Fuck off Earache!! When it comes to pure stupidity, nothing can really compare to them. I'm surprised they didn't drop Morbid Angel from their roster. But since the band have sold a trillion records, that probably would never become reality. Besides being on the worst label (ok...maybe Nuclear Blast can compete with them at times) available, Morbid Angel have also pissed me off in the past. Especially David Vincent. Apparently he's BI-sexual. I've heard he was a real fudger slut back in the day, before settling down with his slut wife. And his ego...oh man does he have an ego. Every interview I've ever read with him has made me want to kill. But he was a good vocalist I suppose, he attempted to be a little too brutal here and there (such as on "Blessed are the Sick"), but his style always worked out nicely.

Oh yeah, the new Morbid Angel. The live album blew me away, simply because it gave off a feeling of the old (and good) band. Especially with the sour taste of "Domination" in my mouth. This is a change of pace though. If you've heard Terrorizer before, imagine the speed that was created there combined with the certain "something" Morbid Angel does nicely. The drumming here is the best that it's ever been probably, and the speed factor has seriously picked up. Very nice indeed. I also enjoy the riffs. At times reeking of "Covenant" (an album I enjoyed) and at other times trying to sound like "Abominations...", the morbid feel is still there. Unlike Slayer, who attempted to create another "Reign in Blood" with their "Divine" album, and failing miserable, Morbid Angel pass with semi-flying colours.

Oh yes, they have a new vocalist as I'm sure you've heard. He's really not that special. He even tries to pull off a Glen Benton here and there, while the rest of the time sounding quite generic. He's brutal I suppose, and never sounds BAD, but the music could probably be better with something a tad more original leading it. Forget this review though, as all of you will purchase this eventually. I'd like to see the band live, playing this material, since I could imagine it being most violent.

© 1997 brand