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DESOLATION ANGELS
King

Self-released (2017)
Rating: 8.5/10

Three albums in over 30 years is not a good track record from this cult UK band, but when the twin axe attack of original members Keith Sharp and Robin Brancher do get their arses into gear, we just know we’ll be on board.

King is the third, long-awaited platter from a band I’ve worshipped since their classic 1986 self-titled debut. Okay, so such a record seems to stand alone, and maybe due to varying line-ups over the years the dynamics were somehow lost, but this nine-song album is still steely and at times grandiose enough to drag us back into their fiery fray.

Desolation Angels sadly split in 1994, 13 years after their inception, but came back to the fore in 2012 and two years later released an EP entitled Sweeter The Meat, and so it’s nice that Sharp and Brancher, alongside newer members Keith Taylor (vocals, ex-Elixir), Clive Pearson (bass) and Chris Takka (drums) have given it another go.

One only has to listen to a track such as ‘Devil Sent’ to appreciate the quality this combo can still offer. This gloriously subtle and simmering powerhouse of a track builds on those soulful vocal cries in such an epic nature; the guys effortlessly harkening back to those New Wave Of British Heavy Metal days but providing extra fizz. Meanwhile, a track such as ‘Your Blackened Heart’ really ups the ante as a thrashing, chugging composition of menace; the fizzing riff, the fiery vocals and the galloping percussion unrelenting in their blazing glory as Taylor belts “Behold your blackened heart…”, sending chills down the spine.

And it’s a quality that remains throughout, from the opening ‘Doomsday’ to closer ‘My Demon Inside’ we hear a band that has progressed from a doomy, rust-ridden 70s influenced NWOBHM combo to something steelier, and almost power metal in its design. But there’s still that wondrous feeling of imperfection. While Taylor can hit the notes, he has a gritty style of old school meatiness, and behind him the bass and drums rumble with dark intent which can only match the lyrical content as ‘Rotten To The Core’ cynically slides into motion and the black riffs continue to roll with fluidity and gloom.

But what I love about these guys, in whatever era, is their ability to somehow, naturally, distance themselves from the usual standards of sword n’ sorcery metal – Desolation Angels somehow being streetwise, sincere, passionate and yet morose, the dark qualities bleeding through every instrument as they drive hard through the likes of the steely ‘Hellfire’ and yet change pace with ‘Find Your Life’.

Throughout this dastardly record there’s a feeling of knowing, like Desolation Angels were, even through their lack of output, some greater god within the scheme of things, observing all that came before and after and just biding their time. King is such an important album; one dark and involved, a rich, power metal composition that nods to a hazy past, a bleak present and hopefully a brighter future.

Neil Arnold

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