Altars of Madness

Infobox Album | Name = Altars of Madness
Type = studio
Artist = Morbid Angel

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Released = May 12, 1989
Recorded = 1988
Genre = Death metal, Thrash Metal
Length = 51:27
Label = Earache
Producer = Digby Pearson
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:4jd1vwnva9yk link]
Last album =
This album = "Altars of Madness" (1989)
Next album = "Blessed are the Sick" (1991)

"Altars of Madness" is Morbid Angel's debut album and is a milestone in the history of death metal. The remastered version (released 2003) includes several remixed versions of songs from the album. 2006 saw a dualdisc release with the 2003 remaster on the audio side and 'Live Madness 89' recorded at Nottingham Rock City on the 14th of November 1989 on the DVD side.

In the album's liner notes, the band dedicates the album to the underground and to speed, death, and black metal fans everywhere.

The cover artwork represents the different moods of humans.

Comments and Reviews

"That whole album is so amazing"- Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse [ [http://www.cannibalcorpse.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13675 Official Cannibal Corpse Forum | www.cannibalcorpse.org ] ]

“if (David) Vincent's monstrous vocals aren't scary enough, the band's musical onslaught will surely send children and parents running away in fear. Guitarists Trey Azagthoth and Richard Brunelle construct some ridiculously fast-paced riffs and lay down some jaw-dropping solos as if the music is being played in fast-forward mode” “drummer Pete Sandoval challenges one's perception of how fast a drummer can possibly drum.” “one cannot deny its influence.” [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:4jd1vwnva9yk allmusic ((( Altars of Madness > Overview ))) ] ]

UK magazine "Terrorizer" rates this album as Morbid Angel's and death metal's finest hour, describing it as "bludgeoning and raw but also technical, exacting and intimidatingly consistent."

Track listing

#"Immortal Rites" (Azagthoth, Vincent) – 4:04
#"Suffocation" (Vincent & Azagthoth, Vincent) – 3:15
#"Visions from the Dark Side" (Azagthoth & Vincent, Vincent) – 4:10
#"Maze of Torment" (Azagthoth, Vincent) – 4:25
#"Lord of All Fevers & Plague" (Extra Track) (Azagthoth) – 3:28
#"Chapel of Ghouls" (Azagthoth, Azagthoth & Browning) – 4:58
#"Bleed for the Devil" (Azagthoth) – 2:23
#"Damnation" (Azagthoth & Vincent, Vincent) – 4:10
#"Blasphemy" (Azagthoth) – 3:31
#"Evil Spells" (Azagthoth) – 4:13
#"Maze of Torment" (remix) [Remaster bonus track] – 4:27
#"Chapel of Ghouls" (remix) [Remaster bonus track] – 4:59
#"Blasphemy" (remix) [Remaster bonus track] – 3:21

Credits

*David Vincent — bass, vocals
*Trey Azagthoth — guitar
*Richard Brunelle — guitar
*Pete Sandoval — drums

References