MORBID SAINT - Swallowed by Hell
High Roller Records
Well first off I think it's cool that over the past ten or fifteen years now MORBID SAINT's full length debut from 1990, Spectrum of Death, has finally gotten the respect it aptly deserves. Obviously the internet was a catalyst in that. But I think you had a younger metal fan base fifteen years ago (maybe longer) who were getting into Thrash but wanted more than just the status quo Big 4 stuff. Except for SLAYER because everyone loves SLAYER.
So it's logical to see that this legendary thrash band from Sheboygan, Wisconsin would sooner or later make a proper comeback release. But to just square away a thing or two. The band's 2015 full length release Destruction System was not a comeback album per say. It's really the follow-up to their debut because the band had the Destruction System demo in 1992. So the 2015 release is the demo songs with some extras.
So here we are in 2024 with the band's third full length. Of course I had to see who's still in the band and thankfully three core members are here. You've got original vocalist Pat Lind, and guitarists Jay Visser and Jim Fergades. The rhythm section has changed with drummer DJ Bagemehl who came on in 2016. On bass is Bob Zabel who joined the band when they got back together in 2010. So with the line-up secure and some Ed Repka cover artwork, what's this new one like?
Musically Swallowed by Hell comes across like a typical comeback album. In other words there's some songs on here which the band sound comfortable playing because that's the way they were. Then again you've got other cuts which sound modern day era forced. In other words we're old but we are gonna kick your young asses with music you're use to. Look at the album cover again and you'll get it.
The high points on Swallowed by Hell are great fuckin thrash riffage plus those old school death thrash soloing from years past. Add to that Pat Lind still sounds like a accused maniac being chased by the authorities. The bass work by Bob Zabel is damm good and it's cool that his contributions are a standout. But as far as the second part of the rhythm section goes I don't care for the trigger drums. Every thing else DJ Bagemehl does naturally is cool as fuck but he's not Dave Lombardo.
In the end Swallowed by Hell is a good album but it's no Spectrum of Death or Destruction System. Yeah honestly I was expecting more of that but hey it's been thirty years so I'll give em a break. If you're a thrash fan then yeah this is a mandatory release to pick up this year. Now that latter part is directed to those of you into the underground. I say that because the lame-stream mainstream types never gave a rat's ass about MORBID SAINT back in the day. And now they care more about Kerry King's new album. So there you go.
Oh and just for the record MORBID SAINT's Spectrum of Death is my fifth favorite thrash album of all time. And even when I say that today there's Big 4 Thrash band fans that just cringe. But anyways a huge thank you to Germany's High Roller Records for putting this out as well as the band's reissues.
LISTEN HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTMfEXFDydY
No comments:
Post a Comment