Altars of Madness
Altars of Madness moves fast, but the way Morbid Angel use that speed matters more than the pace itself. The riffs keep changing direction. Guitar solos break through from every angle, and Pete Sandoval maintains the pressure without allowing the songs to fall apart.
Immortal Rites immediately gives the attack a clear shape. Its guitar parts sound fierce and restless, while the melodic bridge provides something recognisable within the rush. The music covers considerable ground without losing its threatening character. David Vincent adds a furious rasp that sounds less deep than much later death metal singing.
Maze of Torment makes the band's rhythmic range even clearer. Fast double-bass drums and sharp guitars give way to heavier slowdowns. Those changes make the return to speed more effective. A riff may stay only briefly, but it usually has enough character to leave an impression.
Chapel of Ghouls also offers more than a sequence of technical displays. Its heavy riffs contribute to an unsettling atmosphere. The solos from Trey Azagthoth and Richard Brunelle increase the sense of disorder while the precise drumming provides a firm point of reference. That tension between control and apparent chaos runs through the album.
The sound has rough edges. Some high guitar leads are thin, and the reverb can push details away rather than clarify them. Not every later passage is equally distinctive, either. Still, the combination of speed, strong structures and unpredictable guitar playing remains remarkably effective.
Altars of Madness continues to feel like music with a mind of its own. Its aggression works because so much happens inside it. Morbid Angel make death metal that is overwhelming while remaining carefully put together, rewarding attention as much as a taste for sheer force.
