- Dark Angel's Thrash Masterpiece - Darkness Descends
"Dark Angel's 'Darkness Descends' LP, a thrash metal masterpiece, embodies the genre's raw power. Released on Under One Flag in 1986, the vinyl edition enhances the sonic journey with analog warmth and tactile allure. Each track, from the relentless title opener to 'Hunger of the Undead,' showcases the band's intensity. The album's enduring legacy cements its place in metal history, making it a coveted collector's item."
In the hallowed halls of thrash metal history, Dark Angel's second full-length album, "Darkness Descends," stands as a monument to the raw power and ferocity of the genre. Released on the legendary Under One Flag label, the 12" LP album vinyl edition of "Darkness Descends" not only encapsulates the essence of thrash but also solidifies Dark Angel's status as one of the genre's most influential and uncompromising acts.
The Rise of Dark Angel:
Hailing from Downey, California, Dark Angel emerged in the early 1980s as part of the burgeoning thrash metal movement. With their debut album "We Have Arrived," the band began to carve out a niche for themselves in the aggressive realms of metal. However, it was with "Darkness Descends" that Dark Angel truly asserted their dominance and left an indelible mark on the thrash scene.
Darkness Descends: A Sonic Onslaught:
Released in 1986, "Darkness Descends" is a relentless barrage of speed, aggression, and technical prowess. The album's cover art, featuring a menacing hooded figure, serves as a fitting prelude to the auditory assault within. The LP opens with the title track, a whirlwind of frenetic guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and the unmistakable vocal delivery of frontman Don Doty. From the blistering "The Burning of Sodom" to the unrelenting "Hunger of the Undead," each track on the album showcases the band's ability to create an intense sonic atmosphere.
Under One Flag: A Thrash Sanctuary:
Under One Flag, a subsidiary of Music for Nations, was a label dedicated to championing the cause of thrash metal. The imprint played a crucial role in bringing the genre to a wider audience and provided a platform for bands like Dark Angel to unleash their sonic fury. The 12" LP format of "Darkness Descends" on Under One Flag became a collector's item, cherished by fans and revered for its historical significance.
Vinyl Experience: Unleashing Darkness in Analog:
The vinyl format adds an extra layer of mystique to "Darkness Descends." Analog warmth, the tactile experience of handling the LP, and the expansive album art contribute to a holistic encounter with the music. The crackle of the needle as it traces the grooves of the vinyl is a ritualistic preamble to the onslaught of sonic darkness that follows. Each spin of the record is a journey back to the heyday of thrash metal, where the raw energy and uncompromising spirit of the genre were at their zenith.
Album Fact Sheet: DARK ANGEL Darkness Descends |
Music Genre: Crossover Thrash Metal |
Album Production Information: Produced by Randy Burns and Dark Angel. Randy Burns is a renowned record producer and sound engineer who played a pivotal role in shaping heavy metal’s evolution. His work with bands like Megadeth, Death, and Kreator helped define the raw, aggressive sound of thrash and death metal. With a legacy spanning decades, his productions remain legendary. Learn more about his career here.
Steve Sinclair - Executive Producer Unlock the untold story of Steve Sinclair — the mastermind behind metal’s most iconic albums Casey McMackin - Sound Engineer Casey McMackin is an acclaimed sound engineer, producer, and musician whose innovative work in the 1980s helped define the sound of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Known for shaping legendary albums by Megadeth, Slayer, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and Van Halen, his legacy continues to inspire music lovers worldwide. Read Casey's Biography
Ed Repka - Album artwork Ed Repka is a renowned American illustrator, best known for his striking album cover art that defined the visual identity of 1980s thrash metal. His work with Megadeth introduced the world to Vic Rattlehead, while his detailed, horror-inspired illustrations graced covers for Death, Nuclear Assault, and many others. His vivid, dystopian imagery remains iconic in heavy metal culture. Read more about Ed Repka.
Mark Weinberg - Album Artwork
Mark Weinberg (Graphics Artist) during the 1980s he has been working for a dozen of heavy metal bands to work on art direction, design and typography.
Ron Contenza - Photographer |
Record Label & Catalognr: Under One Flag FLAG 6 / Combat Records /Take Out Music |
Packaging: This album "DARK ANGEL Darkness Descends" includes the original custom made inner sleeve (OIS) with album production details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos |
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) Weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country: 1986 Made in UK |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: DARK ANGEL Darkness Descends |
Donald Doty, James Durkin, Robert Yahn, Mike Andrade all four performed in the American Thrash Metal band " Shellshock ". In 1983 "Shellshock" was forced to change their name and renamed themselves into "Dark Angel". Eric Meyer - Guitars, Producer. Guitarist with the American Crossover Metal band "Dark Angel" from 1983 until 1992, inbetween he was music producer for bands like Bloodlust and "Recipients of Death":
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Complete Track-listing of the album "DARK ANGEL Darkness Descends" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "DARK ANGEL Darkness Descends" is:
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
Lyrics of all the songs on "Darkness Descends" printed on the album's original custom inner sleeve
"Darkness Descends" Record Label Details: Under One Flag FLAG 6 / Combat Records /Take Out Music
Darkness Descends (1986) is Dark Angel’s defining thrash metal masterpiece, known for its relentless speed, aggression, and technical precision. Featuring blistering guitar riffs, Gene Hoglan’s thunderous drumming, and Don Doty’s vicious vocals, the album delivers classics like *The Burning of Sodom* and *Merciless Death*. A cornerstone of extreme metal, it remains a must-listen for thrash fans.
Learn moreUnder One Flag FLAG 30 , 1988 , France
Released in 1989, Leave Scars by Dark Angel is a thrash metal album with a more polished sound, featuring technical guitar work, powerful drumming, and dark lyrics exploring psychological themes of pain, suffering, and trauma.
Learn moreBack On Black – BOBV239LP , 2009 , UK
Live Scars is a live album released in 1990 by Dark Angel, capturing the band's intense and chaotic energy during their 1989 tour. Featuring tracks from their previous albums, it is a must-listen for fans of their early thrash metal sound.
Learn moreAXE Killer Records 7006 , 1985 , France
We Have Arrived is the debut album by thrash metal band Dark Angel, released in 1985. It features raw and aggressive guitar riffs, fast-paced drumming, and lyrics exploring themes of violence and destruction, marking a strong entry into the thrash metal scene.
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