Morbid Angel "Illud Divinum Insanus"

Illud Divinum Insanus is the eighth studio album by American death metal band Morbid Angel. It was released on June 7, 2011, by independent French record label Season of Mist. It is Morbid Angel's first album since Heretic (2003), the band's longest gap to date between studio albums. This is the only Morbid Angel album to feature guitarist Destructhor and drummer Tim Yeung, making it their first not to feature Pete Sandoval, who was recovering from surgery. It is also the band's only album to feature bassist/vocalist David Vincent since he rejoined in 2004.

Illud Divinum Insanus (That Divine Insane One) is grammatically incorrect Latin. "Illud" and "Divinum" are in the neuter gender, but "Insanus" is masculine. Either Illud Divinum Insanum (neuter) or Ille Divinus Insanus (masculine) would be correct instead.

Illud Divinum Insanus is the band's only album featuring second guitarist Destructhor, the first with bassist/vocalist David Vincent since Domination (1995), and the first not recorded with longtime drummer Pete Sandoval, who had undergone back surgery when recording began. Former Hate Eternal drummer Tim Yeung recorded the drum tracks for this album.

Illud Divinum Insanus took more than five years to materialize. Work on the album began in 2006, and it was originally going to be released in 2007, but was pushed back several times while the band continued touring and writing new material. After four years of writing, Morbid Angel recorded the album from June 2010 to January 2011 at several studios, including Mana Recording Studios and Red Room Studios for the drum recording, and D.O.W. Studios for the bass, guitars, and vocals. The record was mixed in Hollywood, California, with Sean Beavan.

The cover art for the album was unveiled on March 30, 2011. It was designed by Brazilian artist Gustavo Sazes, who commented:

To create this cover we worked from several references, ideas, elements, and I would say a 'world' of options and paths. After a long brainstorming period and some [good and bad] ideas left behind, we came up with the concept of this organic surreal insane being; a fallen God or a weird mirror image of our own madness. It is a different Morbid Angel cover for sure, but I think that's how Morbid Angel is...Deviant and different on each new release. They never repeat themselves. They are always pushing the boundaries and setting new standards. I'm really proud of the final results and hope the fans appreciate my work, while listening to the new album!

The album's track listing and information of various release formats were unveiled on April 5, 2011. Prior to the release of the album, a single for the song "Nevermore" was made available on May 16 as a digital download and on 7" vinyl. The cover artwork for the single was designed by French artists Valnoir and Fursy Teyssier for Metastazis. The single also contains an exclusive version of the song "Destructos vs. the Earth", remixed by Combichrist.

Of all the remixes I've been asked to do I never expected one of the world's most notorious death metal bands to have an interest in hearing their music on the dance floor. However, "Destructos" is one of those tracks that are so versatile that it could have been recorded as a folk song and it would still sound amazing. I'm honored to be a part of this project and am excited to see how the Morbid Angel fans react to this unusual new direction.

— Andy LaPlegua

In 2012, a double remix album called Illud Divinum Insanus – The Remixes was released.

Track listing

All lyrics are written by David Vincent; all music is composed by Trey Azagthoth and Vincent, except where noted.

1. "Omni Potens" (instrumental) Vincent 2:28
2. "Too Extreme!" 6:13
3. "Existo Vulgoré" 3:59
4. "Blades for Baal" Destructhor 4:52
5. "I Am Morbid" Vincent 5:16
6. "10 More Dead" Destructhor 4:51
7. "Destructos vs. the Earth / Attack" 7:15
8. "Nevermore" 5:07
9. "Beauty Meets Beast" 4:56
10. "Radikult" Vincent 7:37
11. "Profundis - Mea Culpa" 4:05

Morbid Angel's first release in eight years, the first with bassist/vocalist David Vincent in sixteen years and also their first full-length album not to feature Pete Sandoval on drums.

The title is badly translated Latin, apparently meaning 'Those Insane Gods' according to David Vincent, however it translates as 'That divine thing, an insane man'. It should be translated as 'Illa Divina Insana'.

"Illud Divinum Insanus" is available in the following formats:

* Wooden foldout box

* Metal starpak CD (outside North America)

* Deluxe digipak CD (North America only)

* Double gatefold LP with download card

* Jewel case CD

* Digital download

Recording information:

Produced by Morbid Angel.

Recorded at DOW Studios, Mana Studios, Red Room Studios.

The drum tracks to six songs on "Illud Divinum Insanus" were recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with engineer Erik Rutan.