Dark Angel Archives - Thrash Metal IQ

Posted on March 11, 2023March 11, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

Dark Angel Guitarist Jim Durkin Dead at 58, Cause of Death Unknown

Jim Durkin, Dark Angels founding member, guitarist, and songwriter, died from unknown causes at the age of 58 in Los Angeles. Without him, the band’s three hugely influential albums “We Have Arrived“, “Darkness Descends” and “Leave Scars” would have never happened. He departed the band in 1989 and returned in 2013.

“Darkness Descends” is considered by many in the metal community as “the greatest thrash metal album of all time” and even influenced bands like Slayer.

Statement From Family

News of his passing was shared by his wife, Annie, on Facebook:

“With a broken and heavy heart, I want to share that the love of my life, my best friend and husband, Jimmy, passed away Wednesday morning. He was not alone as I was with him along with a few close friends until the end. He will be truly missed and no one can ever replace the love I have for him. May he rest in peace. Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours … My Immortal Beloved. I will see you again.”

Statement From Band

The band also confirmed Durkin’s passing: “We in the Dark Angel family are deeply saddened and crushed today with the news of our brother and founder Jimmy Durkin passing away Wednesday morning. We would like to thank his fans for their continuous loyalty and support. We will come out with a full statement very soon. We ask that you please respect the family’s privacy while we mourn the loss of this great man.”

LA Shows

Jim was still active in Dark Angel as the only original member at the time of his passing. The band was even slated to play three sold-out shows in Los Angeles at the Teragram, playing the entire “Darkness Descends” album.

It is unknown if these shows will go on.

Video

From the 1988 “Ultimate Revenge 2”

2014 Finland

We in the Dark Angel Family are deeply saddened and crushed today with the news of our brother and founder Jimmy Durkin passing away Wednesday morning.
We would like to thank his fans for their continuous loyalty and support. We will come out with a full statement very soon. pic.twitter.com/KsOMV228l9
— Dark Angel (@Darkangelthrash) March 10, 2023

Posted on March 19, 2019September 30, 2019 by ThrashMetalIQ — 3 Comments

What Happened To Hirax?

Hirax, Katon W. De Pena, Raging Violence and Beyond

Raging Violence was the first official Hirax album Metal Blade and appeared with their first full-length, “Raging Violence” in 1985. Hirax was Katon W. De Pena (vocals), Scott Owen (guitar), Gary Monardo (bass) and John Tabares (drums).

In 1986, John Tabares left the band and was replaced by Eric Brecht (D.R.I’s. vocalist Kurt Brecht brother). After, they released a 2nd LP “Hate, Fear, and Power” (16 minutes / eight tunes). Later, the band released the live album “Blasted In Bangkok” in 1987.

Be that as it may, with strains and frustrates in the band, De Pena chose to leave and frame another group with Gene Hoglan (previous Dark Angel drummer), and Ron McGovney (former Metallica bassist). They called themselves Phantasm. After a brief tour with Nuclear Assault, they separated. In 1989, after De Pena left Phantasm, the substitution was Paul Baloff (former Exodus frontman), not long after the band separated.

The band “reformed” in 2013 with Katon w. De Pena being the only original member and continue to record and tour to this day

Tracklisting

Side A

No |Title | Length

1. “Demons – Evil Forces” 3:25
2. “Blitzkrieg Air Attack” 2:08
3. “Guardian Protector” 1:37
4. “Bombs of Death” 1:47
5. “Defeat of Amalek” 3:08
6. “Raging Violence” 2:53
7. “Call of the Gods” 1:20

Side B

No |Title | Length

8.” Warlords Command” 2:39
9. “Suicide” 2:37
10. “Executed” 1:40
11. “The Gauntlet” 2:03
12. “Destruction and Terror” 2:33
13. “Destroy” 1:07
14. “Bloodbath” 1:55

Total length:30:52

GET THE ORIGINAL 1985 PRESSING OF RAGING VIOLENCE HERE

BAND IS IN 1984…

Katon W. De Pena – vocals
Gary Monardo – bass
Scott Owen – guitars
John Tabares – drums

LISTEN TO THE FULL HIRAX RAGING VIOLENCE

HIRAX BAND PHOTOS

“RAGING VIOLENCE” VINYL AND ARTWORK

GET HIRAX RAGING VIOLENCE ON VINYL

GET THE ORIGINAL 1985 PRESSING OF RAGING VIOLENCE HERE

Posted on March 16, 2019February 10, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — 1 Comment

Dark Angel – We Have Arrived 1985

We Have Arrived has been reissued at least two times. In 1986, it was re-released by the French recording label Axe Killer in a 2,000-number limited edition. It was then re-released once again in 1997 by Axe Killer. The label attached to the plastic wrap says that this is a remastered edition, but there is no indication in the booklet. We Have Arrived is the only Dark Angel album to feature Jack Schwartz on drums, as Gene Hoglan replaced him as their drummer on subsequent albums.

(SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

Thrash Metal Icons Dank Angel Freshmen Effort

Track listing

1.”We Have Arrived”4:07
2.”Merciless Death”4:28
3.”Falling From The Sky”4:23
4.”Welcome To The Slaughter House”5:23
5.”No Tomorrow”6:31
6.”Hell’s On Its Knees”4:14
7.”Vendetta”4:27

Total length:33:33

Posted on March 8, 2019March 12, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — 5 Comments

Dark Angel – Leave Scars 30 Years Later – Does It Still Stand UP?

It was 1991 when I bought the Leave Scars LP that came with a sticker reading “9 songs, 67 minutes, 246 riffs!” I didn’t like it as much as Darkness Descends or because I liked Don Doty’s style of vocals better.

Listen To The Whole Album Here

Leave Scars is the third studio album released by the American thrash metal band, Dark Angel, released on January 24, 1989.

Leave Scars was Dark Angel’s most successful release, peaking at number 159 on the Billboard 200, mostly on the commercial cover of Led Zepplin’s Immigrant Song.
It was their first album with vocalist Ron Rinehart and bassist Mike Gonzalez. It was the last album for guitarist Jim Durkin until his return to the band in 2013.