Morbid Angel

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Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel logo
Origin	Tampa, Florida
Country	USA
Years active	1983—present
Genres	Death metal
Labels	Earache Records Giant Records
Website(s)	www.morbidangel.com

Morbid Angel is a Florida-based death metal band assembled in 1983. They were crucial in the development of the death metal genre and its standards. Their songs are complex in arrangement, owing to the considerable technical skills of guitarist Trey Azagthoth and drummer Pete Sandoval.

Morbid Angel was one of the original death metal bands signed to Earache Records, and were also influential in the transition of death metal from its thrash metal roots to its current form; adding uptempo blast beats, inspired by grindcore. They were also the first death metal band to have a touch of mainstream success, such as being signed to Giant Records in 1993 and having the music video for the song "God of Emptiness" shown on an episode of Beavis and Butthead.

Morbid Angel could also be considered one of the first death metal bands to be overtly influenced by classical music.

Their original lyrical themes dwelled mostly on Satanism and anti-Christian subject matter, but from second album "Blessed are the Sick" onward, the lyrics slowly moved toward the Ancient Sumerian Gods (though much of this is more likely a nod to author H.P. Lovecraft^[1] than any actual history), as well as a healthy fascination with the Roman Empire, though anti-religious elements continue to permeate the lyrics.

Morbid Angel albums have been released in alphabetical order, the latest being 2003's Heretic. The band is currently writing and recording a new studio album, due for release sometime in 2007, and likely to keep the trend with a title beginning with the letter I.

1 Line-up
- 1.1 Former members
2 Discography
3 External links
4 Notes

[edit] Line-up

Trey Azagthoth - Lead Guitar, Guitar Synth, Keyboards, Vocals
Pete Sandoval - Drums (1988-Present)
David Vincent - Vocals, Bass (1986-1996, 2004-Present)

[edit] Former members

Mike Browning - Drums, Vocals (1983-1986)
Wayne Hartsell - Drums (1986-1988) Thee Unright
Dallas Ward - Bass, Vocals (1983-1985)
Richard Brunelle - Guitar (1985-1992,1998(live)
Kenny Bamber - Vocals (1985)
Sterling Von Scarborough - Bass (1986)
Steve Tucker - Vocals, Bass (1997-2001, 2003-2004)
Jared Anderson - Vocals, Bass (2001-2002) (Died at age 30 on October 14, 2006)
Tony Norman - Guitar (2003-2006)
Erik Rutan - Lead Guitar, Keyboards (European Tour Only) (1993-1996, 1999-2002, 2006)
John Ortega - Bass (1985-1986)
Michael Manson - Vocals (1986)
Phil Anselmo - Guest Vocals

[edit] Discography

Album Cover	Date of Release	Title	Label	Chart positions	Worldwide sales ^{[citation needed]}
	May 12, 1989	Altars of Madness (24-bit remastered re-issue on Feb. 25, 2003, with bonus video track of Immortal Rites; limited edition of 5000 pcs.) (Dual CD/DVD Reissue in 2006)	Earache Records		500.000+
	July 5, 1991	Blessed are the Sick (24-bit remastered re-issue in 2003, with bonus video track of Blessed are the Sick, liner notes of Trey Azagthoth and some rare photos)	Earache Records		500.000+
	September 2, 1991	Abominations of Desolation (self-financed debut recorded in 1986, actually released in 1991)	Earache Records
	June 22, 1993	Covenant	Earache Records Giant Records		500.000+
	May 9, 1995	Domination	Giant Records		500.000+
	May 11, 1996	Entangled in Chaos (Live)	Earache Records
	February 24, 1998	Formulas Fatal to the Flesh	Earache Records		500.000+
	March 2, 2000	Gateways to Annihilation	Earache Records		300.000+
	September 22, 2003	Heretic	Earache Records		210.000+