MORBID ANGEL - Heretic (CD)

From the opening notes of “Cleansed in Pestilence (Blade of Elohim),” it's clear Heretic is not chasing trends. The production is stripped and abrasive, sacrificing clarity for texture. While some listeners may find this off-putting, others will appreciate the scorched-earth soundscape it creates. The guitars snarl with jagged aggression, and Trey’s signature solos—otherworldly and unhinged—feel even more untamed here. Tracks like “Enshrined by Grace” and “God of Our Own Divinity” showcase his ability to balance chaos with structure, while “Beneath the Hollow” lurches with ominous groove.

Pete Sandoval’s drumming is, as ever, ferocious. His precision and speed remain unrivaled, but there's a looser, more organic feel to his performance on Heretic. Rather than feeling overly triggered or mechanical, the drums breathe in a way that adds to the album’s primal appeal. And while the low-end is certainly dialed back in the mix, there’s still an undeniable force behind the rhythm section that keeps the momentum surging forward.

Steve Tucker delivers his strongest vocal performance to date. He balances guttural power with a raspier, almost shrieked attack on tracks like “Stricken Arise,” giving the album a vocal dynamic that matches the sonic volatility. Lyrically, the band stays true to its cryptic, mythos-drenched themes, a world where divine rebellion, spiritual warfare, and ancient wrath intertwine seamlessly.

The album’s controversial use of interludes and experimental tracks might divide opinion, but they reflect a band refusing to color within the lines. “Memories of the Past” offers a brief but haunting moment of introspection, while the instrumental and ambient excursions, though not essential, contribute to the overall arcane and ritualistic mood.

Heretic may lack the high-gloss production and immediate hooks of Morbid Angel’s more celebrated albums, but it compensates with atmosphere, ambition, and raw vitality. It’s the sound of a band forging ahead without compromise, unafraid to challenge their audience and themselves. For those willing to engage with it on its own terms, Heretic reveals itself as a compelling, fiery chapter in Morbid Angel’s ever-evolving legacy—an album that may not seek your approval, but demands your respect.