Formulas Fatal to the Flesh is the fifth studio album by American death metal band Morbid Angel, released on February 24, 1998 by Earache Records. The Satanic-themed lyrics of the band's previous albums had been replaced with lyrics about the Old Ones, which would become the primary source of Morbid Angel's lyrical content from this point on, with some lyrics written in Sumerian. This is the first album to feature singer/bassist Steve Tucker, who replaced David Vincent.
The tunings for this record as on Covenant and Domination remained Eâ on six string guitar songs, and Bâ on seven stringed guitar songs. The album saw considerable changes in tone from Domination. Whereas Domination was more melodic, Formulas is considered more brutal and powerful, characterized by very fast drum tempos, extremely fast blast beats, aggressive riffs, atmospheric solos, and a more demonic growl from Steve Tucker.
"Invocation of the Continual One" is made of unused music the band had composed in its early days in 1984, put together and re-recorded for this album. It is also the only Morbid Angel song Trey Azagthoth does all the vocals for.
The album was met with mixed reviews from critics upon release, but retrospective reception has been very positive due to its role as a landmark for the brutal death metal genre that developed in the late 1990s.
All songs written and arranged by Trey Azagthoth except "Ascent Through the Spheres" and "Hymnos Rituales de Guerra", written by Pete Sandoval.
This bonus CD contains all of the isolated guitar solos performed by Trey Azagthoth. A guitar pick is included which is signed by him.