RSS Feed


MORBID SAINT
Swallowed By Hell

High Roller (2024)
Rating: 8/10

After their cult classic debut album Spectrum Of Death in 1990, I never thought I’d see the day that these Wisconsin thrashers would succumb to generic cover art courtesy of Ed Repka. Anyway, Swallowed By Hell is the third full-length outing from the band and their first since 2015’s Destruction System, so it’s fair to say that Morbid Saint isn’t the most prolific act, although they did split in 1994 and didn’t reform until 2010. Members Pat Lind (vocals), Jay Visser (guitar) and Jim Fergades (guitar) remain from the hazy days of the 80s, while Bob Zabel (bass) has been with the band since 2010 and DJ Bagemehl (drums) joined six years later.

All I will say is don’t be put off by the cartoon cover art because this album is some serious thrash that is sure to bang heads, even amongst the current glut of generic thrash acts. Of course, the hardcore Morbid Saint fans may find this release as being a world away from the rough n’ ready sounds of the debut, because with Swallowed By Hell there is a maniacal yet polished intensity which carves great furrows due to the savage riffs.

Morbid Saint is no longer a lo-fi and raw underground act but a rather melodious and contemporary bunch of face-rippers who channel their fury through such violent compositions as ‘Burn Pit’, ‘Fuck Them All’ and my personal favourite ‘Bleed Them Dry’. Even with its crisp guitar work the album will still appeal to the 80s thrash heads, particularly if you like Vio-lence. Some of the mid tempo passages (‘Bloody Doors’) are cruel on the ears, and the mix of tempo (‘Pine Tuxedo’) add further levels of chunky meat.

To an extent this is very much no frills thrash but produced by veterans who know how to deliver to a tight, yet most importantly an aggressive schedule. The old heads are still showing the kids how it’s done.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share