While words like “underground” and “cult” get thrown around a lot in metal circles, they could not be more apt to describe “Spectrum of Death” by MORBID SAINT. Back in 1984, the founding members eventually formed a five-piece that churned out some of the wildest thrash there has ever been.
Death manager Eric Greif, who went on to also handle their business affairs, recorded and produced their first eight compositions, which came out on his own imprint Edge Records in 1989 under the title “Lock Up Your Children.” He then licensed this demo to Mexican label Avanzada Metálica, who released it one year later as “Spectrum of Death” on vinyl, CD and cassette.
Whereas songs like “Damien,” which was clearly inspired by the movie “The Omen,” remind us how well metal and horror go together and the incredibly intense ‘Scars’ sums up quite summarily how f**ked-up mankind is, closer “Beyond the Gates of Hell,” marks an epic highlight on the album, which does not need more than 32 minutes to make an unmistakable statement that is as valid today as it was back then.
Now the incendiary classic gets a due vintage treatment, with both sound (remastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony studio) and artwork (by John Kujawa, who also designed sleeves for the likes of Acrophet and Numskull) staying true to the original.
The new High Roller vinyl edition guarantees a most authentic overall experience for connoisseurs and the uninitiated alike. Its patina has only grown thicker over time, screaming – and loudly so – to be rediscovered or newly encountered.
Read our review here.
