High Roller Records, blue/ red bi-color vinyl, ltd 500, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover, insert printed on uncoated paper, poster, mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony.
In 1984, Morbid Saint, hailing from the small town of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, came together to create the thrash masterpiece "Spectrum of Death." Despite being labeled as "underground" and "cult," these terms perfectly capture the essence of the band's wild and intense thrash sound.
Managed by Eric Greif, who also handled their business affairs, Morbid Saint recorded their first eight compositions titled "Lock Up Your Children." Released in 1989 on Greif's Edge Records, this demo was later licensed to Mexican label Avanzada Metálica, emerging as "Spectrum of Death" on vinyl, CD, and cassette in 1990.
Led by guitarist Jay Visser, the band, while receiving praise within devoted circles, struggled to gain widespread recognition, possibly due to the album's avant-garde nature. The music, reminiscent of early Slayer or Kreator, placed Morbid Saint alongside peers like Sadus, Demolition Hammer, and Whiplash.
Initially covering idols from Judas Priest to Black Sabbath, the band quickly transitioned to self-penned material with singer Pat Lind, resulting in what critics called "the definition of an obscure classic" and "one of the finest monuments to heavy metal on this planet." The album's iconic artwork featured demon ghostly faces surrounding a monstrous visage reminiscent of Iron Maiden's Eddie.
Clocking in at just 32 minutes, the album delivered an unmistakable statement. Tracks like 'Damien' and 'Scars' showcased the seamless blend of metal and horror, while the epic 'Beyond the Gates of Hell' marked a highlight. Morbid Saint's rejection by labels like Combat Records stemmed from their unique characteristics, as few recognized their potential.
Despite adolescent lyrics and raw, aggressive drumming captured without aseptic click-track, Morbid Saint disbanded in 1994 after a final show in December 1993. They left behind a sparsely distributed advance tape for a potential second album, "Destruction System," which unfortunately never saw proper publication.
