Death Angel: Frolic Through the Park (1988)

Despite coming just a year later, Death Angel's sophomore album is significantly different in sound to their debut.  It came at a time when thrash metal was being forced to adapt.  Some bands went in more of a progressive sound (Heathen, Metallica), others opted for a more melodic one (Testament), and still others went in a light-hearted, almost goofy direction (Exodus).  Death Angel fell into a combination of the Testament and Exodus route with this album, and the quality was definitely a step down from their debut.

It is obvious from the album cover and title how much lighter the tone of this album was going to be.  Where the debut promised violence and had a gritty album cover, this could not be farther away if it tried.  There are still some dark themes present in this release, with songs like "Why You Do This" and "Mind Rape", but it is nowhere near as aggressive as the prior release.

Death Angel also began experimenting with different, non-metal styles of music.  "Open Up", in particular, features a funky bass line, something Death Angel would return to on their third album Act III.  There is also something generally lighter in tone about the band, with "Bored" and "Road Mutants" being examples of this.  I do think the cover of KISS's "Cold Gin" is very much out of place here.  It is not one of KISS's stronger songs and it completely breaks up the flow of the album.

This album is very much a product of its time.  As such it sounds dated and has not held up well over time.  This was a harbinger of things to come for Death Angel who would go further toward a more experimental sound on their next album before going on hiatus for over a decade.  Out of Death Angel's early albums, the debut is definitely the best.  This would be next.

Death Angel: The Ultra-Violence (1987)

In coming across a few lists similar to the Loudwire video I covered a week or so ago, I have realized there are some holes in my old-school thrash metal collection.  One of those holes was some of the lesser Bay Area thrash metal bands.  Groups like Forbidden and Death Angel are kind of underrepresented in my collection, which is weird for as much of a thrash metal fan as me.  I have a few of Death Angel's recent albums, but only one from their early years.  I decided to change that.  Today and tomorrow's posts will cover the first two Death Angel albums.

The Ultra-Violence is Death Angel's debut album and it is a damn impressive one.  There is a reason this album comes up in several lists like the aforementioned Loudwire one that covers best thrash metal albums not by the Big Four.  Somehow though, Death Angel is rarely mentioned among the best the Bay Area had to offer, even among the second tier groups like Exodus and Testament. 

One of Death Angel's biggest strengths is in the musicianship of its members, particularly lead guitarist Rob Cavestany.  His incredible abilities has made it possible for Death Angel to experiment with a variety of musical styles in the future.  On this release, the focus is on shredding guitars.  There is a rawness and aggression, and definitely emotion, that is present in the sound of Death Angel that is missing in some of their more workmanlike peers.  This is powerfully conveyed in the outstanding guitar work of Cavestany.

The other big strength the band has is the incredible vocals of Mark Osegueda.  He is an incredible vocalist who is without peer in the Bay Area thrash metal scene.  His best work comes on the track "Voracious Souls" where he really lets loose with haunting howls among his more standard vocal style.  This leads to my only complaint about the album.  With such a great singer, the band should showcase him more, but this album features two instrumental tracks and one track with very limited vocals.  I get that Cavestany needs time to shine as well, but so should Osegueda.

This is a terrific debut album by Death Angel and really set the tone for what the band would do in the future.  The band has a dynamic singer/lead guitarist combo that a lot of bands strive for, but fewer have.  It is likely that this is the best album Death Angel has to offer.