DARK ANGELS

The third European re-release of the second full-length studio album by cult American Thrash Metal band.
Dark Angel's final album to feature original vocalist Don Doty, and the first to feature drummer Gene Hoglan, who joined the band a few months prior the release of their debut album, "We Have Arrived". While "Darkness Descends" continued the traditional Thrash Metal sound of "We Have Arrived", a portion of the album (particularly "Black Prophecies") contains elements that would be expanded upon on Dark Angel's next two albums, "Leave Scars" and "Time Does Not Heal", which saw the band produce a mixture of Thrash Metal with Progressive and Technical structures.
Released at the height of Thrash Metal's popularity, "Darkness Descends" has been cited as a major influence on the Death Metal, Doom Metal and Groove Metal scenes of the late 1980s and 1990s. It is considered an essential release in the Thrash Metal genre. In August 2014, Revolver placed "Darkness Descends" on its "14 Thrash Albums You Need to Own" list. Decibel Magazine placed it 9th on its "50 Greatest Thrash Metal Albums of All Time". Loudwire placed "Darkness Descends" at number 6 on its "Top Ten Thrash Albums NOT Released by the Big 4" list.
"Darkness Descends" is considered to be a classic in the Thrash Metal genre.
Combat Records/Relativity Records, Inc./Sony Music Entertainment Italy S.p.A./De Agostini Publishing S.p.A., 1986/2023 (DeAgostini 48). Made in Italy. Pressed in France.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Darkness Descends 5:50
2. The Burning Of Sodom 3:17
3. Hunger Of The Undead 4:17
4. Merciless Death 4:05

Side B
1. Death Is Certain (Life Is Not) 4:15
2. Black Prophecies 8:32
3. Perish In Flames 4:51

Total playing time: 35:07 min.

The second full-length album by Czech Symphonic/Gothic/Doom Metal band.
This third album "Bittersweet Devotion" is quite meritorious. When "My Dark World" appears to be the first encounter, it instantly reminds us of Paradise Lost and Lake Of Tears in the nineties. Gothic/Doom Metal is what reigns here; that is obvious, although one can find a sudden switch to pure Doom with grunts and My Dying Bride riffing as well. They nicely grace it with a delicious guitar solo; we surely enjoy that.
With Vaclav Votruba and Jakub Vondrka they have recruited two skilful guitarists that are doing a great job. Vocalist Radek Popel, also responsible for artwork, has a low-pitched dark Gothic voice, but he regularly switches to lower grunts or a scream-like, excited variant of his voice. Well done. This is properly illustrated in the Candlemass alike "Empty Sun" and the juicy "Fear Kills Me". We are regaled with smooth, catchy Gothic during "It's Time To Go" (with acoustic parts) and "Angels Never Die" that has a kind a Epic feel, turning into more dynamics. Doom-like Moonspell atmospheres reign in "Morning Shadows", while a fast and furious guitar solo happens to be the icing on the cake in the Prog-like starting ''Insanity Within A Dream". One can hear bitter sweet sadness finally in "Bittersweet", emphasizing the emotional side of the band.
With talent for strong melodies and proper roots in the nineties Gothic/Doom Metal, Dark Angels has created an album we enjoy listening to! Cherish this integrity!!
In Motion Agency, 2013 (IMA002). Made in Czech. First press.


Tracklist:
1. My Dark World 03:40
2. Empty Sun 04:07
3. Fear Kills Me 03:26
4. It's Time to Go 04:36
5. Angels Never Die 03:48
6. Morning Shadows 05:15
7. Insanity Within a Dream 03:32
8. Bittersweet 05:27
Total playing time: 33:51

The first EP by Czech Symphonic/Gothic/Doom Metal band.
In this work we can see the growing of the band comparing with the debut album, “Symphony Of Bridal Veil”. At the same time melodism of the music and beauty of the female singer vocals growing too.
Great album for fans Gothic and Doom Metal!
In Motion Agency, 2011 (IMA001). Made in Czech. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Morning Shadows 05:16
2. It's Time to Go 05:21
3. The Other Side 05:24
4. Time for Tears 05:54
5. The Pigeon 05:12
Total playing time: 27:07