1. Morbid Angel - Altars Of Madness
Track List: 1. Immortal Rites 2. Suffocation 3. Visions from the Dark Side 4. Maze of Torment 5. Lord of All Fevers & Plague 6. Chapel of Ghouls 7. Bleed for the Devil 8. Damnation 9. Blasphemy 10. Evil Spells
Stand Out Track - Visions From The Dark Side. How is it possible that Death Metal can be this catchy? If you don't find yourself head banging to this I can only imagine Cannibal Corpse have already got to you and done something suitably nasty! Altars of Madness, released in 1989, is Morbid Angel's debut album and is
the defining moment in Death Metal. Taking Thrash Metal to the next logical level, these songs incorporate bludgeoning raw riffs and squealing solos, technically stunning drumming, harsh but discernible vocals and odd time signatures, this is undoubtedly a statement of intent from a band who continued to break boundaries with each subsequent release. David Vincent's vocal melodies miraculously compliment the many unexpected stops, starts and off-time signatures, creating songs that threaten to veer completely out of control yet somehow retain a sense of melody and structure; a stunning achievement from true originators. A world without Altars of Madness would be very dull indeed and Death Metal, as we know it, would be a different beast entirely.
Honourable Mentions: Master - On the Seventh Day God Created... Master / Pestilence - Consuming Impulse / Monstrosity - Imperial Doom / Vader - The Ultimate Incantation / Bolt Thrower - War Master