David Vincent Reflects on MORBID ANGEL’s Early Days: “There Was Nothing That Sounded Like What We Were Doing”
In a recent interview with Jonathan Smith of Sonic Perspectives, David Vincent, former frontman of *MORBID ANGEL* and current vocalist of I AM MORBID, shared insightful thoughts about the formative years of MORBID ANGEL and the early development of death metal as a genre.
Vincent, who is widely regarded as one of the pioneering voices of death metal, was asked whether he had drawn influence from other prominent Florida death metal vocalists such as John Tardy (OBITUARY) and Glen Benton (DEICIDE). Vincent, however, quickly clarified that he came before both of them and described how *MORBID ANGEL*’s early sound was unique to the time.
Creating a Unique Sound
Reflecting on the beginnings of the band, Vincent explained, “In the early days of *MORBID ANGEL*, we pretty much just isolated ourselves and we did what we did. And we weren’t really necessarily trying to copy anyone because, well, there wasn’t anything to copy; there was nothing that sounded like what we were doing.” This statement speaks to the groundbreaking nature of *MORBID ANGEL* in the genre, as the band’s sound was an uncharted territory at the time. Vincent emphasized that the band was focused on creating something new, not trying to imitate what was already out there.
He continued, “We just sort of blazed our own trail, and thankfully and fortunately, it translated and it became a thing.” In the early years of death metal, *MORBID ANGEL* was one of the few bands pushing boundaries and
However, Vincent pointed out that this sense of individuality is less common in today’s death metal scene, where he feels many bands sound quite similar to each other. “There’s a lot that sounds very, very similar,” he said, indicating how the genre has evolved and, in some ways, become more homogenous over the years.
Death Metal Vocals and Intelligibility
As the interview continued, Vincent was asked about the growing trend of less intelligible vocals within death metal over the past couple of decades. Death metal vocals have become progressively guttural and harder to decipher, a trend that some fans and critics have noted.
Vincent, however, remained firm in his stance, saying, “Well, everybody’s gotta do what’s right for them. That’s not right for me. But, again, I don’t have a lot of commentary about what other people do. I’m either a fan of it or I’m not, but that doesn’t matter.”
For Vincent, clear communication through vocals is essential. He added, “If you have something to say, but you can’t understand it, then why say it? If it’s so unimportant that what someone is trying to say that it’s indistinguishable, then I don’t know how to respond to that.” This statement highlights his belief in the importance of conveying meaningful messages through his vocal style.
The Legacy of MORBID ANGEL and I AM MORBID
In 2015, Vincent left *MORBID ANGEL*, with Steve Tucker rejoining the band as the vocalist. Despite his departure from the group, Vincent has continued to celebrate his legacy in the death metal community with *I AM MORBID*. Last year, *I AM MORBID* completed a 17-date European tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of *MORBID ANGEL*’s groundbreaking album *Covenant*, regarded by many as one of the greatest death metal records of all time.
The tour featured material from Covenant, as well as songs from earlier *MORBID ANGEL* classics like *Altars of Madness*, *Blessed Are The Sick*, and *Domination*. The trek showcased the enduring influence of *MORBID ANGEL*’s early work, with the band playing festivals and club shows across Europe.
In 2022, *I AM MORBID* experienced some changes, parting ways with guitarist Kelly McLauchlin and bringing in Richie Brown (EXMORTUS, THE ABSENCE, TRIVIUM) as a replacement. Brown made his live debut with the band at Grita Fest in Colombia. For Vincent, these changes represent the continued evolution of his musical journey, while maintaining a focus on the legacy of *MORBID ANGEL*’s early years.
Solo Projects and New Ventures
Beyond *I AM MORBID*, David Vincent has been actively pursuing other musical projects. In 2019, he released the debut album *Something Wicked Marches In* with his supergroup *VLTIMAS*, which also features guitarist Rune Eriksen (formerly of MAYHEM) and Cryptopsy drummer Flo Mounier. The band’s follow-up album, *Epic*, is set to be released in March 2025.
Vincent’s music has also ventured beyond the metal world. In 2017, he surprised fans with his debut country single, “Drinkin’ With The Devil”, showing his versatility as an artist and willingness to explore different genres.
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