Word reached me recently that Desolation Angels were back and with a new album to boot. Must admit I had to search my aging (and fading) memory a little to recall the band from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal days all those decades ago.
Whether or not they took their name from the Bad Company album of the same name I don’t know though I suppose it’s possible as that came out in 1979 with, if I recall correctly, the Angels forming a couple of years later with NWOBHM at its height.
A debut self-titled album appeared in 1986 which has since become something of a sought after NWOBHM semi-obscurity as not long afterwards they upped and relocated to California.
That self-titled debut is something of a NWOBHM era classic. Full of the big, crunching riffola rawness of the time but merged with some deceptively fine guitar work and underlying melodies giving it that “something different” feel with the impression that the band had the chops to go places – perhaps that might have been the theory with clearing off to the US of A.
Check out cuts such as Spirit of the Deep, Evil Professor, Valhalla, Death Machine etc. Full of power with a touch of doom-mongery about them in amongst the fist pumping stuff.
Now then – that debut album is available as a special 30th anniversary edition on CD with a very special bonus disc. A recording of the band’s performance from 1983 at one of the legendary spiritual homes of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal – the Ruskin Arms.
An excellent piece of NWOBHM history captured raw and live like it’s supposed to be. Arguably a little “of its time” it’s a rip-roaring listen for anyone from that time (like your humble blogger) or you more modern rock/metal types as an example of how influential the movement and bands like Desolation Angels have been ever since.
Fast-forwarding three decades, Desolation Angels are back in action since around 2012 with a new line-up which includes some of the originals. Not only a new line-up, but a long awaited new album entitled simply King.
And it’s jolly good. They’ve not lost any edge over the years. King is not too far removed from the debit album being full of yet more dirty, meaty, ballsy big riffs, scorching solos, plenty of power and nifty vocals.
Here’s a good ‘un for you from King. Your Blackened Heart
Other fine examples being the thumping Another Turn of the Screw, the brooding Doomsday and Hellfire. And to demonstrate they can do less intense (but still enjoyable) things there are some softer (yet still loud) cuts such as Find Your Life and Devil Sent.
Always good to see a band from the NWOBHM days active and recording again – with such fine results.
I bought both the 30th Anniversary of the debut album and King via the band’s web site. Why not do the same: http://www.desolationangels.co.uk
If for nothing else, do it for the Ruskin Arms set bonus disc with the debut album. NWOBHM like it used to be!
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