Death Angel - Killing Season

Death Angel have always been one of the more overlooked Bay Area thrash metal bands. They were teenagers when they burst upon the scene, and released three albums before disbanding. After nearly a dozen years apart they reunited at the now famous Thrash Of The Titans benefit for Chuck Billy in 2001, had so much fun they decided to keep the band going and released a new album in 2004.

Killing Season finds an older and wiser Death Angel, but they still have great musical chops and a lot of energy. It's old school thrash with shredding riffs and solos from Rob Cavestany and Ted Aguilar along with some modern influences. In addition to the traditional blazing fast tempos, they back it down into a mid-tempo groove from time to time without losing any intensity. There are some acoustic passages which add a nice change of pace.

Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver) produces, and his sensibilities help the band weave modern sounds into their traditional thrash. Death Angel sounds rejuvenated and at the top of their game, and Killing Season is their best album since the '80s.

(released February 26, 2008 on Nuclear Blast Records)