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King

    
       
       
       
     
             
Desolation Angels are a heavy metal band from the UK formed in 1981 releasing two albums, 'Desolation Angels' (1986) and 'While The Flame Still Burns' (1990) before splitting in 1994. Reforming in 2012, the band released a new E.P. 'Sweeter The Meat' in 2014, with their third album, 'King', released in 2018.    
             
The first thing that struck me about 'King' was the album cover, and the feeling that "I've seen that somewhere before", when in actual fact, I hadn't. It is actually the depiction of the demon character that was familiar, having seen a similar depiction in the video for 'The Greatest Song In The World' by Tenacious D, from their self titled debut album in 2002. The second thing that struck me, was when I was looking down the track list, and saw song number four, 'Rotten To The Core', pondering to myself, surely Desolation Angels haven't covered the iconic Overkill song from the bands 1985 debut album? To put this ponder to rest, I spun the album from song four, and was somewhat relieved to find that no, it wasn't a cover. 'Rotten To The Core', Desolation Angels version, is a thundering and very heavy slab of hard hitting, foot stomping NWOBHM. Echoing the movements iconic sound, 'Rotten To The Core' relentlessly chugs on with a menacing vibe. The chant style chorus will be screamed at high volume in a live arena, with "rotten to the core" reverberating around every venue that Desolation Angels perform at.    
             
So, let's rewind the album and begin from the beginning... 'Doomsday' is first up, hitting the ground running with a superb guitar riff, launching forth in a bouncy and head noddingly addictive style. The iconic NWOBHM sound is still very much alive, whether it's through the older bands such as Grim Reaper, Rock Goddess and Spartan Warrior, all having released new material recently, or the newer bands like Kaine, Monument and Hamerex. Desolation Angels are among a great crowd, as the NWOBHM genre continues to forge forward with authority and purpose. 'Another Turn Of The Screw' is a masterpiece of galloping rhythms and infectious grooves, running along at pace, delivering a smile to the faces of fans everywhere. Nine songs on offer across forty five minutes, with four that stretch past the six minute mark, 'King' is packed to the rafters. The more mid tempo, foot stomping 'Devil Sent' is pure British heavy metal at its best. Atmospheric and anthemic, 'Devil Sent' is as addictive as it is infectious. The five piece from London are proudly flying the flag for British heavy metal, keeping the UK at the forefront of the traditional heavy metal genre.    
             
With an upsurge in energy and intensity, 'Your Blackened Heart' moves along at pace, thunderous in its delivery and one hundred percent head bang-able. Fists punching the air and a feel of the "foot on the monitor" style, 'Your Blackened Heart' is definitely one of the highlights off the album. On the flip side, 'Find Your Life' drops the energy and intensity, replacing it with a more mellow vibe and you feel yourself slipping into ballad territory. A welcome breather from the albums first half of hustle and bustle, power and pace, heavy metal assault. The classic buzz style guitar sound of the eighties NWOBHM leads the way in ferocious fashion as 'Hellfire' rockets by in a flash. Desolation Angels are masters of the addictive sing a long style chorus breaks and head bangingly infectious rhythms. The album comes to a close with two, six minute plus epics. 'Sky Of Pain' is a thunderous mid tempo romp, featuring the relentless guitar chug so synonymous with the NWOBHM sound. The final song is a glorious and anthemic romp of the best mid tempo NWOBHM you may hear for some time. 'My Demon Inside' has a menacing, yet catchy feel, a foot tappingly addictive rhythm, rather than a foot stomping one and it has that characteristic sing a long able and memorable chorus break, that Desolation Angels are masters of.    
             
Overall, an addictive and infectious journey through classic NWOBHM, delivered with passion by one of the "elders" of the British heavy metal scene.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Sweeter The Meat E.P.      
           
"bombastic, barnstorming NWOBHM proving that British heavy metal is alive. Sit up, stand up and take note" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Burning Black      
           
"a traditional heavy metal march, full of NWOBHM aura, with an infectious array of songs" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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