Ten Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Morbid Angel

Disclaimer: The following article is intended to be humorous. We think it’s readily apparent that Trey Azagthoth was never in a ballet called The Cheese is Old and Moldy and that Erik Rutan has nothing to do with the Austin Powers movies and that David Vincent is not related to Miley Cyrus, but we sincerely apologize to anyone who was confused.

1. The band takes their moniker from John Donne’s poem, “Death Be Not Proud”:

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can bring the morbid angel,
And better then thy stroake; why swell’st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

2. Trey Azagthoth Was a Professional Child Dancer

Trey Azagthoth was born George Michel Emmanuel III, and he actually got his start in show biz early, appearing as a young ballet dancer in multiple productions at Lincoln Center was he was just a child, including The Nutcracker, Où Les Vies de Boue, and Der Käse Ist Altes Und Schimmeliges.

3. Evil D. Comes from a Musical Family

Bassist/vocalist David “Evil D.” Vincent comes from a musical family: he was born David Justin Cyrus. He’s cousins with Billy Ray and Miley.

4. Pete Sandoval Has No Underwear

Original drummer Pete Sandoval earned his nickname, “Commando,” due to the fact that he never wears underwear for religious reasons.

5. Richard Brunelle Can Help with Your UTI

Former guitarist Richard Brunelle is now a successful urologist in Tampa, Florida.

6. Erik Rutan Influenced Austin Powers

When Erik Rutan left the group in 1996, he took their mojo with him. Rutan recounted the tale for comedian Mike Myers at the 1996 premiere of Austin Powers. Myers later used the story as jumping-off point for that movie’s sequel, The Spy Who Shagged Me.

7. Steve Tucker Loves to Whittle

Former frontman Steve Tucker left the band in 2004 to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a professional competitive whittler. He won the 2005 American Association of Whittlers’ Rookie of the Year award, but is generally looked down up by the whittling community, who believe he has failed to live up to his potential.

8. Destructhor Can Help with Your Taxes

Current guitarist Destructhor was studying to be a CPA before joining Morbid Angel in 2008. His birth name is Eugene Dwyer.

9. Tim Yeung is Not a Great Speller

Current drummer Tim Yeung still believes it’s spelled “Morbid Angle.”

10. The Band’s Label Wasn’t Any Happier with their Last Album Than Their Fans Were

Season of Mist founder Michael Berberian briefly considered suicide after the band handed in the masters for Ilud Divinum Insanus.