16 November 2013
It has been twenty years since Morbid Angel released the monumental
'Covenant' album. It is still to this day the best selling death metal
album of all time. Playing albums live in their entirety has become the
"en vogue" thing to do these days. That being said, Morbid Angel have
fallen victim to this trend, as they recently embarked on the Covenant
Twentieth Anniversary Tour. I caught up with the morbid quartet at the
famous Agora in Cleveland, Ohio.
On a
unseasonably warm Saturday night in Cleveland, Ohio, myself and a few
friends of mine stepped inside the Agora to witness Morbid Angel perform
'Covenant' in its entirety. After suffering through a few bad local
bands and one not so bad local act, Morbid Angel took the stage.
Following the first two songs of the night, David Vincent stepped up to
the mic and said "1993 to 2013 and nothing has changed, we still live in
a 'World of Shit'". As they moved through the 'Covenant' album, playing
each song ceremoniously. Although I am not a fan of playing full albums
live, I feel that should be reserved for a different listening
experience, it does have it's advantages. One being, I finally got to
hear "Angel of Disease" played live. This was the first highlight of the
evening. With the completion of 'Covenant' they moved into material
from every other album they have released.
They
began the second half of the show with "Where the Slime Live". Trey and
Destructhor playing the doomy guitar riffs, this is always a great live
tune and a crowd pleaser. Mr. Vincent then approached his microphone to
let the audience know that "if it wasn't for their drummer" (Tim Yeung)
"that they wouldn't play this next tune, but he likes it because it
makes him hurt". They then proceeded to go into the blazing fast "Bil
Ur-Sag". Tim punished his kit here and played as though he was a
machine, hitting each tom, symbol and snare with the precision of a
diamond cutter. Technical difficulties arose with the next song
"Ageless, Still I Am" as David Vincent's mic wouldn't work. The bass
player/vocalist was obviously upset, as he through the microphone to the
stage, but being the professionals that they are they continued to play
through it. They did get this problem corrected by songs end and on
with the show. Following a couple tunes, "Curse the Flesh" form the
'Heretic' album and "Existo Vulgore" off the latest. Then came the big
close. "Maze of Torment" and "Fall from Grace", sending the fans out in
proper style.
Twenty
years after the release of 'Covenant', Morbid Angel proved they still
have gas left in the tank. After the release of the disappointing 'Illud
Divinum Insanus", I hope the letter "J" will provide the fans with what
has become expected of them. David Vincent is still an amazing front
man, commanding the stage like a general commanding his troops. Trey and
the rest of the guys are spot on and incredible musicians, never
missing a beat. The next time Morbid Angel comes to your town, do not
pass up the opportunity to see one of death metal's greatest bands.
Brian Grebenz