While visualizers aren’t normally my cup of tea, I decided to give this one a chance simply because Death Angel has been on fire since their reunion.

Although I have always been a fan of Death Angel, it’s fair to say they began as a metal anomaly for me. An important player in the ‘Bay Area Thrash Scene’, Death Angel has been around since 1982. Their legacy is filled with impactful triumphs that make you want to bang your head. Sharing the stage with such famed acts as: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Possessed.


I discovered the band back in 1987 when I stumbled across The Ultra Violence (1987) in my local record store. Songs like “Voracious Souls” and “Kill as One” had me hooked. I will admit I was surprised when Frolic Through the Park (1988) was released. In retrospect, I understand the need to evolve musically but at the time I just wanted to thrash and that release was too diversified for my taste. By the time ACT III (1990) was released I was onto death metal. I had no respect for entering the mainstream. I wasn’t aware the band had broken up or that a horrific accident had played a part in it.


It wasn’t until years later, when maturity forced me to re-consider metal I had previously shit-canned, that I realized what a great band Death Angel really was. The multi-faceted musical approach of the group had simply been beyond my maturity level. I had mistaken talent and diversity for weakness. I lamented my loss and re-visited a back catalogue I never expected to expand.

Then in 2001, a benefit concert for Testament vocalist, Chuck Billy, (Thrash of the Titans) brought Death Angel back to the spotlight. Originally intended as a ‘one off show’ the gig ultimately re-ignited the band’s career!

There have been five studio efforts released since that time with number six, Humanicide, set for release on May 31st via Nuclear Blast. An official visualizer for the song “Humanicide” has been released to hype the effort.

While visualizers aren’t normally my cup of tea, I decided to give this one a chance simply because Death Angel has been on fire since their reunion. Consistency is the word for a band that has been on a roll since 2004’s The Art of Dying. Their last effort, The Evil Divide (2016), is what modern thrash should be, a slickly produced riot balanced with a surgeon’s precision.

Although there’s a three year gap between releases, the new material seemingly picks up right where the last record left off. This is the first time the band has recorded more than three efforts with the same line up and it shows. Death Angel is a group that does not disappoint. Check out this new track and let the homicidal visions of “Humanicide” assault you! \m/

Death Angel are:

• Mark Osegueda – Vocals
• Rob Cavestany – Guitars
• Ted Aguilar – Guitars
• Damien Sisson – Bass
• Will Carroll – Drums

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