Desolation Angels (band)

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Desolation Angels
General information
origin London , England
Genre (s) New Wave of British Heavy Metal
founding 1981, 2008
resolution 1994
Website www.desolationangels.co.uk
Current occupation
Keith Sharp
Electric guitar
 Robin Brancher
Clive Pearson
Chris Takka
Paul Taylor
former members
Electric bass
 Joe Larner
Drums
 Richard Parish
Drums
 John Graham
singing
 Dave Wall
Drums
 Brett Robertson
Drums
 Mick Campling
Electric bass
 Dave Scutt
Drums
 Adam Palfrey
Drums
 Sam Wilmore
singing
 Lee Addison
Drums
 George Bareham
Electric bass
 Neil Craddock
Drums
 Sean Reid
singing
 Ian "Curly" Davies
Drums
 Dave Maille

Desolation Angels are an English New Wave of British Heavy Metal band from London , which was founded in 1981, disbanded in 1994 and has been active again since 2008.

history

The band was founded in early 1981 and took its name from the Bad Company album of the same name . The line-up initially consisted of guitarists Keith Sharp and Robin Brancher, who had known each other since childhood, their school friend Joe Larner on bass, drummer John Graham, whom they already knew from their previous band, and singer Dave Wall. However, the post of drummer was subject to frequent changes. In the same year the band recorded a few demos , however their main focus was on playing concerts. In 1982, Brett Robertson came as a drummer to the cast, who stayed with the band a little longer. The first local appearances followed, with appearances with Chariot , Elixir , Driveshaft and Carrera being held within a short time . In 1983 an official live demo was released, which included the songs Hounds of Hell , Doomsday , Satan's Child and No Mercy , among others . Towards the end of the year, the self-published single Valhalla with the song Boadicea as the B-side was released . The recordings had taken place in Cheltenham with producer Mike Fisher . Thanks to good sales figures, the group was able to increase its awareness and the production of a promotional video began. In addition, fanzines became aware of the group reporting on the concerts. Then the band was able to hold performances with well-known groups such as Mama's Boys , Samson , Diamond Head and Tredegar . Towards the end of 1984 Bullet Records , which was then called Bulleon Records, became aware of the group and signed them. After appearances in Belgium , the recordings of the debut album in the Thameside Studios in Rotherhithe followed . During the recording, Brett Robertson left the band and was replaced by Adam Palfrey after several changes (including the post was filled with Dave Maille). A short time later, bassist Larner left the band and was replaced by Dave Scutt. The publication was scheduled for early 1985. However, since the label was closed at the planned release date, this release did not take place, so that the self-titled album was only released in early 1986 on Thameside Records . No drummer was specified on the cover. After a demo called Fury in March 1987, which was recorded at Impulse Studios in Worcester , performances in England, Scotland and Wales followed . About a year later, the band signed a new management contract. She then relocated to Los Angeles to work on new material. The band had previously given their last appearance in England in October 1987 at the Marquee Club in London . A US tour was planned for November, but it did not take place. In the USA, the group played in Hollywood and a few neighboring countries, while recording songs in various studios. In the Silver Cloud Studios in Burbank , California , the self-financed album was While the Flame Still Burns added. It was planned to sell this to fans via mail order. During this time Adam Palfrey left the band and was replaced by the American Sam Wilmore. The album was completed and more appearances followed. In 1991 the band played in air bases of the soldiers who were stationed there for the Second Gulf War . Then it went on a US tour through the southern states, which reached to the east coast of Florida . Frustrated by internal tensions and the lack of a recording contract, half of the band returned to England in the winter of 1991/92. while Dave Scutt left the band. Meanwhile, Lee Addison was added as a new singer. It was decided to re-record the previously recorded album, to part with the manager John Feely and to relocate the headquarters completely back to England. Despite the return of Dave Scutt, it was dissolved in May 1994. While the Flame Still Burns remained unreleased.

With the release of the box set Feels Like Thunder in 2008, Robin Brancher and Keith Sharp were moved to revive the band. The first appearances followed to promote the box set. The line-up was completed by singer Ian "Curly" Davies, bassist Clive Pearson and drummer Chris Takka. In the period that followed, the band held other gigs and could be seen in 2012 in Würzburg at the eighth Hammer of Doom . In 2014 the EP The Sweeter the Meat was released . Since the EP was released, the band has held concerts and festival appearances across Europe . In 2015, the group split from singer Davies, who was replaced by Elixir's Paul Taylor. The first appearance with the new singer took place in October 2015 at the Italian festival Play It Loud . At the beginning of January 2016, the band began working with producer Chris Tsangardis on the new album called Doomsday , the release of which is planned for late 2016 / early 2017. In 2016, the group celebrated their 30th anniversary by re-releasing their debut album.

style

Malc Macmillan wrote in The NWOBHM Encyclopedia that similarities to Doom Metal can be heard. The music is melodic and easily accessible. Macmillan made comparisons with Pagan Altar , Demon, and Phoenix Rising . Valhalla stands out mainly because of the length of the songs (mostly around the six-minute mark). The music of the debut album is relatively hard, although the songs here are also quite long. Fury also offers melodic "Semi-Doom-Metal", whereby the songs are now shorter and more powerful. Otger Jeske also noted in NWoBHM New Wave of British Heavy Metal The glory Days that the songs in the demo are shorter, catchier and stronger. The demo was often compared to the music of Iron Maiden . The International Encyclopedia of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal described the band's music as stylish heavy metal . Martin Popoff wrote in his book The Collector's Guide of Heavy Metal Volume 2: The Eighties about the self-titled album that it contained authentic underground NWoBHM, but that it was published four years too late. The vocals sound “bleating” and watered down, while there are drum fills that would sound out of place. According to Oliver Klemm from Metal Hammer , the band plays solid heavy metal in the style of Dio and Mercyful Fate on the single Valhalla .

Discography

  • 1981: Demo 1 (demo, self-published)
  • 1983: Live demo (demo, self-published)
  • 1984: Valhalla (single, self-published)
  • 1986: Desolation Angels (album, Thameside Records )
  • 1987: Fury (demo, self-published)
  • 1989: Demo 1989 (demo, self-published)
  • 1991: English Bastards (EP, Feel Metal Records )
  • 2008: Feels Like Thunder (compilation, Cyclone Empire )
  • 2014: Sweeter the Meat (EP, Reaper Records )

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h Malc Macmillan: The NWOBHM Encyclopedia . IP Verlag Jeske / Mader GbR, Berlin 2012, ISBN 978-3-931624-16-3 , p. 164 f .
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k History. (No longer available online.) Desolationangels.co.uk, archived from the original on October 2, 2016 ; accessed on October 20, 2016 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.desolationangels.co.uk
  3. ^ A b c d e Matthias Mader, Otger Jeske, Manfred Kerschke: NWoBHM New Wave of British Heavy Metal The glory Days . Iron Pages, Berlin 1995, p. 102 f .
  4. ^ A b Eduardo Rivadavia: Desolation Angels. Allmusic , accessed October 19, 2016 .
  5. ↑ Desolation Angels. Valhalla. (No longer available online.) Miskatonic.doommetal.net, archived from the original on May 6, 2016 ; accessed on October 20, 2016 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / miskatonic.doommetal.net
  6. ↑ Marius Gindra: Hammer Of Doom VII November 9th / 10th, 2012, Würzburg, Posthalle. rocktimes.de, accessed on October 20, 2016 .
  7. ↑ Tony Jasper, Derek Oliver: The International Encyclopedia of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal . Facts on File Inc., New York 1983, ISBN 0-8160-1100-1 , pp. 89 .
  8. ↑ Martin Popoff : The Collector's Guide of Heavy Metal Volume 2: The Eighties . Collectors Guide Ltd, Burlington, Ontario, Canada 2005, ISBN 978-1-894959-31-5 , pp. 94 .
  9. ↑ Oliver Klemm: Newcomer International . In: Metal Hammer . December 1984, p. 20 .