MetalReignSupreme: May 2011

It took most of us more that 20 years after 'Altar of Madness' (1989) to finally catch Floridian cult MORBID ANGEL on stage. Salute to the mighty CYNICAL SOUNDS for bringing this Death Metal legend to our part of the world. Though sadly without PETE SANDOVAL (drum), the classic duo of TREY AZAGTHOTH (guitar) and DAVID VINCENT (vocal/bass) will be there to raise hell in Singapore. They will have DESTRUCTHOR (guitar) and TIM YEOUNG (drum) for the tour.

Simply, those who missed the show for whatever reasons should get their head banged on the wall. This is MORBID ANGEL for hell sake ! Schedully tight as hell, we still managed to get the ticket at the very last hours (thanks to Fadhil of MUZIK BOX PRODUCTION). Onward to 'Illud Divinum Insanus World Tour 2011'.

With the album 'Abominations Of Desolation' close to heart, we were definitely ready to be part of this new made history - 'Abominations Of Desolation' is the band's earlier 1986 demo that was only released later in 1991 to strike out the bootleg of the said recording. It was the works of only TREY AZAGTHOTH (guitar) and MIKE BROWNING (drum/vocal) with DAVID VINCENT producing it (who later joined the band with PETE SANDOVAL and RICHARD BRUNELLE and the rest was history).

The stage was brimming in blood red light, promoting the new album. There should be about 700 who turned out for the show and based on our ticket that night, we were numbered 646. We purposely take our stand at TREY's side, with intention to get a perfect close up on this legendary axeman. The wait was too long to just simply stand at the back and looking at the band from a distance, no way ! No opening band as well, which was brilliant as we don't think that the crowds still have the patience to wait. Some even have started chanting the band's name.

Then it started ! "Immortal Rites" being the first track bringing the crowds back to 'Altar Of Madness' era, which was an instant chaos. From the same album, we also got "Maze Of Torment" and "Blasphemy" as well as all time classics from 'Abomination of Desolation - "Lord Of All Fevers" and "Chapel Of Ghouls". We just can't hold ourselves when "Angel Of Disease" shaked the Singapore ground. Definitely priceless ! The setlist was simply incredible - mostly from their first 3 historical albums - 'Altar Of Madness' (1989), "Blessed Are The Sick" (1991) and 'Covenant' (1993), which appears to celebrate the older fans who never dreamt of getting to see the band live on stage. Truly a legendary show !

Setlist

1) Immortal Rites (Altar Of Madness)

2) Fall From Grace (Blessed Are The Sick)

3) Rapture (Covenant)

4) Pain Divine (Covenant)

5) Maze Of Torment (Altar Of Madness)

6) Sworn To The Black (Covenant)

7) Existo Vulgore (Illud Divinum Insanus)

8) Nevermore (Illud Divinum Insanus)

9) Angel Of Disease (Abomination Of Desolation)

10) Lord Of All Fevers (Abomination Of Desolation)

11) Day Of Suffering (Blessed Are The Sick)