Morbid Angel – Altars Of Madness

Altars of Madness, released in 1989, is the debut studio album by Morbid Angel and widely regarded as a landmark in death metal. The record introduced a new level of speed, complexity, and brutality, marrying lightning-fast riffs and blast beats with occult and Lovecraftian themes. Its raw production and unrelenting energy helped define what extreme metal could be, making it a foundational reference point for future generations of bands.

The lineup—Trey Azagthoth and Richard Brunelle on guitars, David Vincent on bass and vocals, and Pete Sandoval on drums—delivered performances that felt both ambitious and ferocious. Even songs that flirt with more hypnotic or mid-tempo passages retain the album’s sheer intensity, creating a sense of controlled chaos. Though recorded on modest equipment, its feral spirit and inventive arrangements cemented Altars of Madness as a death metal classic that continues to resonate decades later.

Reviews

“Altars of Madness is an album that cannot be ignored. Highly technical, flawlessly executed, this is Death Metal of the highest order.” – MetalReviews

“Altars of Madness is in an elite group … each new song unloading a toolbox of confounding, horrifying torture devices.” – Riff Relevant