DARK ANGEL bassist Michael Gonzalez has dismissed criticism of the group’s comeback single, saying he’s “proud” of the music he and his bandmates have created.
Final Friday (April 11),DARK ANGEL launched “Extinction Stage Occasion”, the title monitor of their first new album in 34 years, which is due later in 2025 through Reversed Data. The LP was recorded and combined on the Armoury Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, government produced by DARK ANGEL drummer Gene Hoglan, produced and engineered by Rob Shallcross and combined by Mike Fraser.
Upon its arrival, the “Extinction Stage Occasion” title monitor was met with a combined response from DARK ANGEL‘s longtime followers, with one fan writing on Fb: ” I used to be simply listening to ‘Time Would not Heal’ this week, man, Ron‘s [Rinehart, DARK ANGEL singer] vocals had been high notch. Listening to this track i used to be like: ‘Is that actually Ron? What occurred to his voice?’ Let’s hope the album has higher songs, this one was boring and generical. Completely not price ready 34 years.” One other fan chimed in: “All that hype, then this. yawn. No [late DARK ANGEL guitarist Jim] Durkin, no [DARK ANGEL]. Dangle it up.” A 3rd fan wrote: “It is OK. if it was a younger band, I’d say that is an amazing begin however for DARK ANGEL, it is disappointing. No person expects a brand new thrash gem like ‘Darkness Descends’ or a tech cult traditional like ‘Time Does Not Heal’, however one thing like ‘Depart Scars’ can be superior and revered.”
“The Metallic Command” radio present host Tony Webster provided a scathing assessment of “Extinction Stage Occasion” on Fb, calling it “completely horrendous. It is 4 minutes and 16 seconds of my life that I want I might get again after listening to it,” he wrote. “It is badly written, uninspired and proper now most individuals are speaking about how horrible it’s.”
A few of the DARK ANGEL followers had been extra complimentary of the band’s new track, with one fan writing on Fb: “Yeah vocals are a bit loopy however the riffs are on level.” One other fan wrote: “The vocal is a bit totally different to what Ron Rineheart gave the impression of however that was 34 years in the past. It seems like DARK ANGEL which implies they’ve their very own explicit sound relatively than sounding like one other 1,000 customary steel bands. I am unable to wait to listen to the album.” A 3rd fan wrote: “It must develop on me however presently my opinion is contrived from their very own system with much less altogether good vocals. No catchy phrasing or cohesive riffing. Does not imply it will not develop on me or that the remainder of the album will not be good. Total, I’m happy that they are again and hope they make a couple of extra runs at it.” A fourth fan stated: “Individuals can piss on this all they need however I prefer it. Just a few a long time go and folks count on every part to remain the very same? Bollocks. It is steel and crushes many of the new crap on the market in the present day.”
After one particular person wrote on Fb, “I gotta marvel if individuals are slamming on the brand new DARK ANGEL track solely as a result of their on-line associates are as an alternative of forming their very own opinions primarily based on truly giving it a whirl”, Gonzalez weighed in beneath the publish, writing: “It’s what it’s. We made an album for us and the place we’re at now. Whether or not it is liked or hated, I am pleased with what we have finished.”
The “Extinction Stage Occasion” title monitor was written by Durkin a decade in the past, lengthy earlier than he suffered from extreme liver illness, and, to the shock of everybody, handed away in 2023.
“Jim Durkin left us with this badass tune,” Hoglan stated in a press launch final week. “It’s so DARK ANGEL and I am simply so enthusiastic about it. We made it the lead-off track on the file, not as a tribute to Jim or due to sentimental causes — like, ‘Right here is the track that Jim left us’ — however as a result of it is only a completely killer track. He wrote it ten years in the past, and by in the present day’s requirements it is nonetheless ball-crushing.”
The “Extinction Stage Occasion” paintings and structure was designed by Cain Gillis, with ideas by Hoglan.
Earlier this month, Hoglan instructed the “Everblack” podcast about “Extinction Stage Occasion”: “It is a fairly ferocious file. I am stoked with it. It took lengthy sufficient for it to come back out, however now that we’re getting nearer to the discharge, issues are beginning to get nearer to finalized with it.”
Durkin died on March 8, 2023 on the age of 58. An authentic member of DARK ANGEL, Durkin performed on the band’s first three albums — 1985’s “We Have Arrived”, 1986’s “Darkness Descends” and 1989’s “Depart Scars” — earlier than departing the group in 1989. He was a part of DARK ANGEL‘s lineup when the band reformed in 2013, and had been enjoying with them, on and off, ever since.
Previous to his demise, Durkin had been sitting out a few of DARK ANGEL‘s gigs. He was changed on the exhibits by Hoglan‘s spouse Laura Christine, who has since joined DARK ANGEL as a everlasting member.
DARK ANGEL launched two albums with Don Doty on vocals — the aforementioned “We Have Arrived” and “Darkness Descends” — earlier than he exited the group and was changed by Ron Rinehart (after a short stint with Jim Drabos in 1987). The band issued two extra studio LPs — “Depart Scars” and “Time Does Not Heal” — earlier than calling it quits in 1992.
Picture by Alex Solca
