POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Morbid Angel: Dark Action and Silly Props

After the Beach Boys celebrated the release of their boxed set at Capitol Records on Thursday, across the street at the Palace the band Morbid Angel was digging on bad vibrations. Candelabra . . . Black Plague-era artwork . . . “Damien” music to set the tone . . . invocations of the “Unholy One” . . . At least anti-rock crusaders can’t accuse the Tampa quartet of having a hidden agenda.

Which doesn’t mean the band wants its dark odes to be taken too literally. Singer David Vincent--whose Voice From the Pit is more convincing than Mercedes McCambridge’s--introduced the song “Vengeance Is Mine” as a song about “taking matter of violence into your own hands.” As if on cue a fight broke out between a fan and a security guard and Vincent had to explain that he meant in the world outside, not at the concert.

Can he have it both ways? Musically, sure. The band’s sound--a blur of almost shapeless guitar fury powered by Pete Sandoval’s fastfasterfastest drumming--works as either cathartic release or forceful inspiration, depending on your inclinations. But the props are just theater, and a bit silly at that. Either way, it would be more believable if Vincent sang in Latin, if not in tongues.