Dark Angel (band)
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| Dark Angel | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Shellshock |
| Origin | Downey, California, United States |
| Genre(s) | Thrash metal |
| Years active | 1983–1992, 2002 |
| Label(s) | Combat Relativity |
| Former members | |
| Gene Hoglan Don Doty Jim Drabos Jim Durkin Brett Eriksen Chris McCarthy Rob Yahn Mike Gonzalez Mike Andrade Bob Gourley Jack Schwartz Lee Rausch |
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Dark Angel was an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Their over-the-top style (extremely fast, heavy and lengthy songs with lots of tempo changes, lyrics and extended instrumental parts) earned them the nickname "the L.A. Caffeine Machine" and the motto "too fast, my ass". Drummer Gene Hoglan is considered to be among the best underground metal drummers in the world.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early Years
Dark Angel formed in 1981 in Downey, California, right around the time when the Bay Area thrash movement was beginning to take place. They played in local bars and clubs, acquiring a cult following in the metal underground. The band began recording and releasing several demos until 1985, when they released their debut studio album We Have Arrived.
[edit] Critical acclaim
In 1986, Dark Angel released their second studio album, Darkness Descends, which is widely considered to be their seminal release. Around the same, several other thrash metal bands such as Metallica also released seminal albums and started to gain more popularity.
At this time, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine asked Eric Meyer to join Megadeth, but he declined in order to stay with Dark Angel.[citation needed]
Following the release, three more efforts would follow: Leave Scars in 1989, a live album, Live Scars in 1990, an apparent pun of their previous album, and what would eventually become the band's final album, Time Does Not Heal, in 1991. Time Does Not Heal shows increasingly progressive song structures (famously containing 246 riffs)[citation needed] and Hoglan's lyrics dealing with psychological issues and trauma.
[edit] Break up, reunion, and second hiatus
After breaking up in 1992, Dark Angel briefly re-united in 2002. However, Ron Rinehart's vocal issues forced them to cancel plans to tour further. The band has been on a hiatus since then.
[edit] Post-break up
Rinehart formed the band Oil in 1997 after converting to Christianity.[2] In 2005, Dark Angel performed the Metallica song "Creeping Death" which appeared on the Metallica tribute album Metallic Attack: Metallica - The Ultimate Tribute.
[edit] Members
[edit] Last known line-up (2002)
- Ron Rinehart - Vocals (1987-1992, 2002)
- Eric Meyer - Guitars (1984-1992, 2002)
- Danyael Williams - Bass (2002)
- Gene Hoglan - Drums (1984-1992, 2002)
[edit] Former members
- Vocals
- Don Doty (1981-1987)
- Jim Drabos (1987)
- Guitar
- Jim Durkin (1981-1989, 2002)
- Brett Eriksen (1989-1991)
- Cris McCarthy (1991-1992)
- Bass
- Rob Yahn (1981-1986)
- Mike Gonzalez (1986-1992)
- Drums
- Mike Andrade (1981-1983)
- Jack Schwartz (1983-1984)
- Lee Rausch (1984)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- We Have Arrived (1985)
- Darkness Descends (1986)
- Leave Scars (1989)
- Time Does Not Heal (1991)
[edit] Live albums
- Live Scars (1990)
[edit] Compilation albums
- Decade of Chaos: The Best of Dark Angel (1992)
[edit] Demos
- Gonna Burn (1983)
- Demo II (1983)
- Live Demo (1984)
- Live Demo From Berkeley (1985)
- Atrocity Exhibition (1992)
[edit] Singles
- "Merciless Death" (1985)
[edit] Videos
- 3-Way Thrash (VHS) (1989)
- Ultimate Revenge 2 (VHS & CD) (1989)
[edit] Other appearances
[edit] References
- ^ Hale, Mark (1993). "0705". Headbangers (First edition, second printing ed.). Ann Arbor, Michigan: Popular Culture, Ink.. pp. 80–81. ISBN 1-56075-029-4.
- ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Oil". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 647. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
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