Dark Angel

 Today in 1986 Dark Angel released the album Darkness Descends

Downey, California Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1981-1983 (as Shellshock), 1983-1992, 2002-2005, 2013-present

Dark Angel was one of the stalwarts of the American thrash scene in the late eighties, refining a vicious, energetic style that originally owed much to early Slayer (as heard on the debut, We Have Arrived). They were yet another 80's Los Angeles band that debuted on on a Metal Massacre compilation (in this case, VI), going on to release four studio albums and a live EP before disbanding in 1992 following the departures of Ron Rinehart and Gene Hoglan. Several members scattered to new projects, including Oil (featuring Rinehart), Swine (featuring Eric Meyer) Dreams Of Damnation (featuring Jim Durkin), and Hoglan of course becoming the ultimate workaholic drummer for many bands. Persistent rumors and reports of a reformation surfaced for years since the breakup, and finally a confirmed reunion did occur in late 2002, with several original members taking part in some shows. Most recently, a 2013 lineup has stabilized and is working on a new release, most likely for 2016.

Combat Records

Don Doty - Vocals

Eric Meyer - Lead guitar

Jim Durkin - Lead guitar

Rob Yahn - Bass (Uncredited: performs on 1986 release)

Gene Hoglan - drums

Mike Gonzalez - Bass (credited on 1986 release does not perform)

1. Darkness Descends (5:49)

2. The Burning of Sodom (3:16)

3. Hunger of the Undead (4:16)

4. Merciless Death (4:03)

5. Death Is Certain (Life Is Not) (4:14)

6. Black Prophecies (8:29)

7. Perish in Flames (4:49)

Mike Gonzalez never actually played on this album even though he is mentioned in the credits as well as the inlay photos and the promo photos at the time. The bass parts were actually played by Rob Yahn, who left the band right after the album was finished.

Recorded at Music Grinder Studios & Mad Dog Studios.

Mixed at Mad Dog Studios. Mastered at Capital Studios.

Reissued in 1998 by Century Media.

This reissue includes two bonus tracks:

8. Merciless Death (live) (3:44)

9. Perish in Flames / Darkness Descends (live) (8:30)

These are taken from The Ultimate Revenge 2.

Again reissued by Century Media in 2008, subtitled "The Black Edition", in an oversize digipack containing 8 bonus tracks:

Live at the Trocadero, Philadelphia, October 23 1988 (The Ultimate Revenge 2 show) (the order for this portion is wrong on the cover, correct order below)

8. The Burning of Sodom [3:19]

9. Death Is Certain (Life Is Not) [3:37]

10. Merciless Death [3:44]

11. Perish in Flames [5:05]

12. Darkness Descends [3:21]

Live at the Country Club, Reseda, CA, April 22, 1989 (Live Scars show)

13. We Have Arrived [3:55]

14. The Burning of Sodom [3:29]

15. Death Is Certain (Life Is Not) [3:53]

Darkness Descends is the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Dark Angel. The album is the first to feature drummer Gene Hoglan. Rob Yahn was replaced with Mike Gonzalez by the time this album was released, however, Gonzalez was given credit over Yahn on the album sleeve. The album is considered a classic in the thrash genre