Death Angel – The Evil Divide

Veteran bay area Thrashers Death Angel carry on with Death Angel mark 3 which started with 2010’s “Relentless Retribution” album with Bassist Damien Sisson and drummer Will Carroll. All through the bands career while they have always been predominantly a thrash band they were never scared to dip their toes into other sounds and genre’s but the bands last two albums saw the band at the most furious and saw the band given a more straight ahead balls to the wall delivery. “The Evil Divide” much like the later Testament albums sees the band coming full circle in a way and giving a more varied package but with the heaviness of recent releases. It’s as fast and furious as ever but there is more of a classic metal feel this time around.

“The Moth” kicks things off nicely building up in the verses to a classic sounding chorus. “Lost” is a mid paced track and is more in the vein of classic rock and an awesome chorus. I’ll get where this album sits in the bands catalogue later but Mark Osegueda in particular gives a career high performance on this album. The notes he hits on “Lost” is outstanding. Take any Metal vocalist be it Dio or Dickenson he matches them here. “It can’t be this” is for want of a better term a ballad somewhat, at least as close as on you’ll get from Death Angel where Mark spits venom about depression and overcoming it. “Father of lies” rocks along with a punk tempo with NWOBHM leads and dual harmonies from Rob Cavestany and Ted Aguilar.

Overall this isn’t a massive leap forward and I wouldn’t say it’s better or worse and any previous album.Killing Season is still my personal favorite and of course the debut is classic but The Evil Divide simply sits among the great catalogue the band have. It’s a great addition to the growing collection and this current line is cemented with a trilogy of great albums. Newcomers maybe better of starting with the bands last release “The dream calls for blood” or go back to the beginning but long time fans will lap it up and find plenty to enjoy.

Score 7 0ut of 10

Album Info

Tracklist:

1: The Moth

2: Cause for Alarm

3: Lost

4: Father of Lies

5: Hell To Pay

6: It Can’t be this

7: Hatred United

8: Breakaway

9: The Electric Cell

10: Let the Pieces Fall

Record Label: Nuclear Blast

For Fans of: Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Exodus, Testament, Armored Saint, Megadeth