Ελληνικά
Genre: Death Metal
Country: U.S.A.
Label: Silver Lining Music
Year: 2017
About a month ago, Death Metal legends, Morbid Angel, released their 10th full length album “Kingdoms Disdained”, a record that marks Steve Tucker’s return after “Heretic”. Leaving “Illud Divinum Insanus” aside, Morbid Angel picked up where “Heretic” left us in 2003, leaving us with the general feeling that in recent times Morbid Angel seems to work only when Tucker and Azagthoth work together. Right from the first track, each one of us realizes what Morbid Angel were aiming for; a decent return to their roots. The album as a whole didn’t bring any enthusiasm or disappointment for that matter. I think the truth is right in the middle. Morbid Angel are not reinventing themselves or the genre, however “Kingdoms Disdained” is an honest try to bring the Morbid Angel beast back on the streets and the market. They tried to perform both musically and vocally in the most brutal way they can while maintaining the main characteristics of their heritage, probably to win back the fans that drifted away a few years ago – earning your fans’ trust in the whole is a terribly difficult task, as we all know; when the bonds are broken, things get tough. Technically the album is good, though it lacks inspiration that’ll make your head explode, as earlier in the course of history. Maybe it’s a good start for the future, though. I don’t know, time will tell. Comparing this release to the previous one, you’d say that Morbid Angel threw away all those polished drums and generic guitars and turned to a path that’s more inspired and tasteful, that they found their true selves again and I don’t know what else. I insist, the aforementioned are only deducted if you compare “Kingdom’s Disdained” with “Illud Divinum Insanus”. You have the urge to appreciate it more on the grounds that Morbid Angel failed you with their previous album (which was actually good for ANOTHER band – for M.A. it was a massive failure.) “Illud” is no measure of comparison. If you consider it as such, you can fuck off. Now, comparing “Kingdoms” to its true predecessor in Morbid Angel’s catalogue, “Heretic”, then alright, we can discuss. No over the limit developments, no inspired work that causes frenzy. It’s just an ‘alright’ record and that’s ok. No one expects from M.A. to re-determine the genre in 2017, especially when a lot of exceptional bands have emerged from the fiery pits in the last 15 years, pushing elaborately the boundaries of Death Metal to new limits. So, all in all, “Kingdoms Disdained” is a decent record; nothing more nothing less. Surely, they did a lot better than we hoped, though it’s not enough for them to reclaim their throne. Don’t let your excitement carry you away, there are good ideas, though they’re not innovative. It’ll be a good addition to your collection, but that’s it. “Kingdoms Disdained” was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St Petersburg, Florida.
3/6
