Review Summary: A Deadly Spectrum Disorder - A Morbid Saint Review
Wisconsin underground thrash metal masters Morbid Saint’s critically acclaimed debut originally titled Lock Up Your Children and reissued under the name Spectrum of Death in 1989. The band was formed in Wisconsin in the mid 1980’s where they played many live gigs including opening acts for bands such as Death, and then signed a deal with Edge Entertainment around the time they released the Lock Up Your Children Demo tape which they would go on to record with producer Eric Grief at Opus Recordings, Illinois. This saw the label Avanzada Metálica remaster the tape and reissue it as Spectrum.
About the albums style is very raw, energetic and many fans consider the full-length a classic in underground thrash metal. Yes the production could be a little clearer though the raw sound fits perfectly to the band’s musical style and so does Pat Lind’s vocals; which are very much similar to German thrashers Kreator’s Pleasure to Kill masterpiece. Like Pat’s brutal Petrozza-style voice is the slamming snares and punchy double kick drum of Lee Reynolds who is very similar sounding to Bill Andrews’ drumming on Death’s Leprosy (1988) album.
LOCK UP YOUR CHILDREN is a very fast song and a great way to start the album, while BURNED AT THE STAKE, a fast thrash track with lots of memorable guitar leads and catchy riffs that goes straight to ASSASSIN, a seven minute song filled with many inspirational and yet astonishing moments, DAMIEN and CRYING FOR DEATH, probably the two songs I personally recommend to any newcomer of this album while SCARS always leaves the listener satisfied in every way, and the smashing drum roll intro of BEYOND THE GATES OF HELL bursting into one wicked solo to many unforgettable riffs, Spectrum of Death is a brutal late 80’s thrash-fest that comes close to being death metal and any true speed metal fan will love it.
PROS:
• Amazing writing arrangements
• Great tempo changes
• Raw, heavy, fast and energetic
• Great listen for fans of Kreator, Demolition Hammer and Dark Angel
CONS:
• Could be better produced
• Some of the songs do sound very similar after several listens
HIGHLIGHTS:
“Lock Up Your Children”
“Damien”
“Crying for Death”
“Scars”
