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We Have Arrived (1985)
I first discovered Dark Angel through the Metal Massacre VI compilation and the song "Welcome to the Slaughterhouse". I was already obsessed with early Slayer so this was right up my alley. I was a little disappointed when I finally got my hands on We Have Arrived, since nothing else on the record really matched the intensity of that song. Of course, this album was recorded in 1984 and thus retains a lot of early '80s metal influence. Thrash was still in its infancy and things had yet to get more brutal.
I eventually warmed up to Dark Angel's debut, which is quite a solid album. The band was still developing so there things aren't always super tight and the vocalist appears to be struggling to find his style, at times. The production is kind of reminiscent of Slayer's Haunting the Chapel, even if the songwriting itself may owe more to that band's debut. "Welcome to the Slaughterhouse", "Merciless Death" and the title track are the standouts. All in all, the only complaint about We Have Arrived is the final track, which is dull and never gets out of first gear. Even the vocal patterns are annoying, so I'd recommend skipping that one. Otherwise, this is a really good album and recommended for fans of old Slayer, Exodus, etc.
I eventually warmed up to Dark Angel's debut, which is quite a solid album. The band was still developing so there things aren't always super tight and the vocalist appears to be struggling to find his style, at times. The production is kind of reminiscent of Slayer's Haunting the Chapel, even if the songwriting itself may owe more to that band's debut. "Welcome to the Slaughterhouse", "Merciless Death" and the title track are the standouts. All in all, the only complaint about We Have Arrived is the final track, which is dull and never gets out of first gear. Even the vocal patterns are annoying, so I'd recommend skipping that one. Otherwise, this is a really good album and recommended for fans of old Slayer, Exodus, etc.
(17 Apr. 2025)
Darkness Descends (1986)
After discovering Dark Angel thanks to the Metal Massacre VI cassette, I picked up a 'zine at a local show. In the back were reviews of classic albums and since I was always more interested in old stuff as opposed to recent releases (even in the '90s), this was a goldmine. Among the albums reviewed was the second effort from Dark Angel, Darkness Descends. It was treated with such reverence that I made it a priority to pick this album up as soon as I could. I'd already heard the first record but was totally unprepared for what I heard.
Darkness Descends is far more violent than the debut. The playing is much tighter, the material is stronger and even the vocals improved. In fact, Doty's voice is much rougher, even straying into growls, while still retaining the high pitched screams from time to time. His voice really suits the songwriting. People often talk about all of the great riffs on this album though I haven't noticed anyone mention how many of the riffs feel like early death metal. There is definitely stuff on here that wouldn't have been out of place on Scream Bloody Gore, for example. "The Burning of Sodom" and "Hunger of the Undead" are particularly vicious tracks, and they even re-recorded "Merciless Death" in a far more lethal form. Aside from the brutality, there are still great solos, like in "Death is Certain (Life is Not)", demonstrating a great sense of melody. Darkness Descends completely destroys Reign in Blood and it's a shame that this album is not as well known. As with We Have Arrived, there is one song that doesn't quite hit its mark, "Black Prophecies". It is just too long and plodding and lacks any kind of atmosphere. It's not awful but it certainly needed improvement. At any rate, this is a legendary piece of thrash metal for a reason so be sure to seek this out.
Darkness Descends is far more violent than the debut. The playing is much tighter, the material is stronger and even the vocals improved. In fact, Doty's voice is much rougher, even straying into growls, while still retaining the high pitched screams from time to time. His voice really suits the songwriting. People often talk about all of the great riffs on this album though I haven't noticed anyone mention how many of the riffs feel like early death metal. There is definitely stuff on here that wouldn't have been out of place on Scream Bloody Gore, for example. "The Burning of Sodom" and "Hunger of the Undead" are particularly vicious tracks, and they even re-recorded "Merciless Death" in a far more lethal form. Aside from the brutality, there are still great solos, like in "Death is Certain (Life is Not)", demonstrating a great sense of melody. Darkness Descends completely destroys Reign in Blood and it's a shame that this album is not as well known. As with We Have Arrived, there is one song that doesn't quite hit its mark, "Black Prophecies". It is just too long and plodding and lacks any kind of atmosphere. It's not awful but it certainly needed improvement. At any rate, this is a legendary piece of thrash metal for a reason so be sure to seek this out.
(17 Apr. 2025)
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