Veteran death metal vocalist/bassist David Vincent sat down with Capital Chaos TV’s Todd Owens during Morbid Angel’s 20th Anniversary Tour for their iconic album Covenant. In this in-depth conversation, they dive into the legacy of the album, the state of modern metal, and what’s next for the legendary band.
Todd Owens (Capital Chaos TV):
All right, this is Todd Owens with Capital Chaos TV, and we’re here tonight with David Vincent from Morbid Angel. Thanks for taking some time to be with us, Dave. How are you doing?
David Vincent:
My pleasure, man. Looking forward to putting on a great show here in San Francisco and moving through the Southwest on this 20th anniversary of the Covenant record. There’s been a lot of excitement. The shows have been really good, the fans have been super supportive, and we’re having a great time.
Todd:
Awesome. I just wanted to spend a little time talking about the tour. You’ve been on the road for about three weeks now, with about ten days to go, right? One thing I noticed—there’s no direct support act on this tour. You’ve got local bands opening in each city. Was that your idea?
David:
Yes, that was actually our idea. We wanted the experience to be more of “An Evening with Morbid Angel.” But we also wanted to give something back—allow the local promoters to choose up-and-coming bands in their area, giving them a shot at real support instead of being stuck on a big festival lineup, going on right when doors open. This way, they’re playing in front of a fuller house, and we feel it’s a way to give back to the metal community.
Todd:
That’s a great opportunity for those local bands. Any standouts?
David:
Yeah, we’ve seen some very good bands. I’ve been pleasantly surprised in some cities. It’s great to see people working hard, developing their songwriting and their craft. It’s like seeing the next generation of metal come into their own—and that’s exciting.
Todd:
Very cool. I assume it was your idea to do the 20th-anniversary tour for Covenant. Is it kind of surreal that it’s been 20 years? What does that album mean to you? And I guess some of the tracks you’re playing now haven’t really been performed live before?
David:
You’re right. There’s one track we only played during the original Covenant tour, and another that we’ve never played live before. As the years go on and you put out more records, you want to include new songs in the set, but others get bumped. We’ve got like nine or ten albums now—you can’t play for six hours, even though people still ask, “Why didn’t you play this song?” So, announcing a tour like this—where people know exactly what they’re getting—makes sense. There might not be many surprises, but it’s a focused experience.
Todd:
Right. Now, let’s just briefly touch on the Pete Sandoval situation. Is he officially out of the band?
David:
Yeah, Pete is no longer in Morbid Angel. He’s focused on Terrorizer now. Tim Yeung is our drummer, and he’s doing a fantastic job. We’re moving forward.
Todd:
Speaking of Terrorizer—Pete resurrected that project, and I was surprised to see that you were involved on the Hordes of Zombies record. Are you two still working together?
David:
Yeah, Pete asked me to be part of the record, and of course I said yes. It’s a great album—very different from Morbid Angel, but that’s okay. We like a lot of different music. I’m glad he’s touring again and doing what he loves. He’s a phenomenal drummer, and it’s good to see him getting support from the fans. Everybody wins.
Todd:
Let’s talk briefly about that original Terrorizer lineup—Jesse, Oscar, you, and Pete. That World Downfall record came out around ’89?
David:
We actually recorded that right after Altars of Madness. I remember taking the tapes to Digby in England. He kept asking about Terrorizer, so we all got together, rehearsed for a couple of weeks, and recorded it quickly in a very punk rock, DIY fashion. It’s wild that it’s had such staying power. It’s a cool, influential record—definitely a special project.
Todd:
As long as we’re talking about the early days, Morbid Angel formed in ’84, and you joined in ’86. Did you know Trey back then? How did you guys come together?
David:
It’s a long story, but to keep it short—I heard their material, liked it, and through a series of events, we started working together. Then we brought in Pete, and the rest is history. We recorded Altars of Madness and hit the road.
Todd:
Back then, in the mid-to-late ’80s, were there any bands influencing you guys? You really were pioneering a new style of music.
David:
I’ve always been a music fan, but we weren’t trying to sound like anyone else. That’s one of the things that made early death metal unique. Even among the Florida bands—Death, Obituary, Atheist, etc.—everyone sounded different. There was variety in tone, riffs, atmosphere. I always thought that was cool.
Todd:
Kind of like the early thrash scene—Metallica, Slayer, Overkill—different but still under the same umbrella.
David:
Exactly. Things today sound more homogenized. Back then, it was about crafting your own sound. We practiced five to six hours a day just honing our identity, and I think that’s been key to our longevity. And if our work inspires younger bands to do their own thing, that’s a great gift—just like Sabbath or Alice Cooper were for me growing up.
Todd:
Let’s talk briefly about Illud Divinum Insanus. It’s been about two and a half years since that album came out. There was a lot of chatter when it dropped—what are your thoughts looking back?
David:
I like that record. I like all our records. A lot of people have come back and told me they gave it another listen and now they really like it. I’m not sure why there was so much negativity. Sometimes people have rigid expectations, but Morbid Angel has never followed a blueprint. We’ve always done things our own way.
Todd:
Are you working on any new material?
David:
We’re always working on new stuff, but I don’t have any announcements to make right now. Stay tuned.
Todd:
Any recording during this tour? Audio or video release plans?
David:
No, nothing like that planned at the moment.
Todd:
Any newer metal or death metal bands you’re listening to these days?
David:
There are a bunch of bands I enjoy. But I don’t really go by style—it’s about the individual artists and how their music moves me. One band I really like is Septicflesh from Greece. Great songwriting. I had a chance to work with Christos on his side project. He asked me to contribute without even telling me what it was, and I just said yes. Turned out great.
Todd:
Speaking of side projects, how’s Nero 5468 coming along?
David:
That’s ongoing. The biggest challenge is everyone’s schedules. I spent some time in Sweden this past summer, but now Nicolas is in the studio working on the new In Flames album, and Audi is on tour. It’s hard to find time when everyone’s free to commit. But we’re working on it.
Todd:
Any details on what it sounds like?
David:
It’s definitely not Morbid Angel, but it’s interesting.
Todd:
Fair enough. Do you have a favorite Morbid Angel album?
David:
That’s a tough one. Each album represents a different period of growth. I like them all for different reasons. Sure, there are things I might go back and tweak, but I’d never want to mess with the purity of the moment. So, I really can’t choose a favorite.
Todd:
That makes sense. I’ll say Domination is my personal favorite. Speaking of that era, you released the live album Entangled in Chaos, recorded in ’95 on the Domination tour. I actually saw that tour in San Francisco at the Trocadero—with Dissection and At the Gates. Incredible lineup.
David:
Yeah, that was a brutal tour. Great memories. We’ve done some amazing packages over the years—really powerful lineups. That one stands out for sure.
Todd:
Before we wrap up—just a quick gear rundown. I know you’re a Dean guy now.
David:
Yeah, Dean makes my basses. It’s my own design—very hands-on. Comfortable, great tone, and versatile. I’ve even had people who don’t play metal say they love the bass. So, if it didn’t work for me, I’d only have myself to blame.
Todd:
What about amps?
David:
I’m using Meteoro amps, from Brazil. Aside from that, just one effect pedal—the MXR M80 by Dunlop. Adds a bit of growl and grit. That’s it.
Todd:
Awesome. Well, that’s all I had. Thanks again, David. Anything you want to say to the fans watching?
David:
Just a big thank you for all the support and all the memories over the years. We’re here for you.
Interview by Todd Owens | Capital Chaos TV
Special thanks to David Vincent of Morbid Angel
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Categories: Interviews, Morbid Angel, Music
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