Mörti Viventi – The Day the Dead Returned… – CD Review

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Mörti Viventi – The Day the Dead Returned…

Review By Mike Richardson

 A debut album, and an unusual one.  Aside from a guest musician spot all 7 tracks are the brain child of just one man.  From the opening of ‘Hell on Earth’ there’s no doubt where Mörti Viventi are coming from.  This is Megadeth/Testament style thrash with HUGE complexity and musicianship nothing short of astonishing.  The complexity in the songs is clear, and precise so the tracks don’t sound cluttered.  Track 2 is slower and heavier, retaining a thrash metal feel with Iron Maiden style lead guitars. Track 3 cranks up the pace again and feature a superb shift in tempo.

Track 4 again, hearkens back to early Megadeth again, while the vocals are more reminiscent of Zakk Wylde.  As with all he tracks thus far musicianship is absolutely paramount here, but it never detracts from the blistering pace.  Track 5 is a song that starts good, and becomes great during the middle section.

Track 6 slowly builds into a Slayer/Metallica style instrumental that is one of the highlights of the album.  It’s difficult to have an instrumental that maintains the listener’s attention, but this track does, for over 13 minutes!  The final track delivers just like the tracks before it.  Tight, complex thrash.  If I was forced to criticize I would put forth that the vocals are quiet in the mix.  It’s minor, minor flaw in a superb album.  9.5/10 – find this digitally now, or buy a CD early next year!

Standout Track: Maniac/Face the Shape or The Arrival of the Anti-God

Check ‘em out if you like: Megadeth, Iced Earth, Slayer

1 – Hell on Earth

2 – The Day the Dead Returned…

3 – Whorehouse of the Undead

4 – Maniac/Face the Shape

5 – Spawn of Another Kind

6 – The Arrival of the Anti-God

7 – Thrash or Die

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