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Rating:
Tackling a work of such magnitude is truly daunting, indeed we are talking about a box set composed of no less than four discs, featuring the first two albums of the legendary thrash metal band Death Angel, plus a collection of demos and rarities, and finally a DVD with music videos, interviews, and more. As you can see, there is a lot on the table here, and trying to be objective towards a historic band that every good metalhead (I'm not making distinctions between thrasher, death metaller, defender, etc.) respects and knows is not easy at all. Therefore, abandoning any hesitation, I would say it's better to dive into the analysis of this commemorative box set, breaking down the review into the four parts that make up this work, in such a way that it is as harmonious and readable as possible.
Disc 1: contains Death Angel's debut album, "Ultra-Violence," a true concentration of old school Thrash Metal played with the soul, passion, and the desire to obliterate typical of five teenagers who finally have the chance to step out of their garage and show the world what they can do. But besides the violence in this platter, we also have the demonstration of a refined and exquisite technique, expressed through scorching solos, frenzied drumming, and a warm but at the same time absolutely vicious voice. A must-have for your collection.
Disc 2: with the second album, titled "Frolic Through The Park," the music doesn't change, our guys continue to hit hard (amazing Mark Osegueda's scream in the opening track: "3rd Floor") although I noticed a slight slowdown, a more thought-out violence, and a touch of experimentation (see the somewhat "tipsy" pace of "Bored," which superbly manages to put to music such a particular feeling as boredom, spectacular track!). The technique is as exquisite as usual, the tempo changes and solos hold sway just like in the previous episode and are not boring at all. Another masterpiece, although slightly inferior compared to its predecessor, to listen to at least once.
Disc 3: here we are at the first gems of this collection, indeed this CD is entirely composed of demos and rarities (not surprisingly titled "Rarities") and presents us with a band at times a bit raw (example "The Hurt", previously unreleased song), but overall always on top, very interesting is the garage recording of "Frolic Through the Park". In a few words, we are not facing the classic filler that is usually always included in this kind of releases.
Disc 4: here is the last stage of our journey, which is the DVD, perhaps the part that arouses the most curiosity of the entire work. Let's say right away that it’s a bit short, but it contains the excellent videos of "Guilty Of Innocence", "Bored" (both on "Frolic Through The Park") and "Voracious Souls" (from "Ultra-Violence"), as well as interviews from the time showing us a band at the beginning, very young, but with absolutely clear ideas. The video quality is quite good as well as the audio, so I consider it a noteworthy product, especially because it allows the new generations to see these lads in action during their peak period (not that they suck today, by any means!).
In conclusion, truly a nice box set and if you manage to find it, I strongly advise you to make it yours, indeed among the many questionable record releases when you see products like this, it's worth spending a few bucks; Death Angel deserves it!
For completeness, I add the lineup: Mark Osegueda (vocals), Gus Pepa (Guitar), Rob Cavestany (Lead Guitar), Dennis Pepa (Bass), and Andy Galeon (Drums).
Tracklist and Lyrics
02 Road Mutants (03:45)
[D. Pepa, R. Cavestany]
They didn't used to be this way
In the beginning
Not to put up a front
It's just the way they are
Enter the human race
But no one's winning
You do what you can
This is what they believe
[Chorus]
Road mutants crushing all
They rise while others fall
Laughing in your faces
They smell like death
So hold your breath
Their skin starts to peel
Sucking moisture off the surface
Causing wounds that wait heal
In the night there is no light
The time is right to have fun
Perspiration is no question
When you're caught by the sun
You feel their presence miles away
You feel them coming
Not too quick to arrive
That's their style
But when they finally hit the stage
There's nothing left to say
The real world goes away
Escape for awhile
[Chorus]
They smell like death
So hold your breath
It's time to get down
You can spot them from a distance
Cause they're not from your town
The road mutants love to
Have a good time
When we're gone
You can't erase the scar on your mind
[Chorus]
04 Bored (03:29)
[R. Cavestany]
Guilty of no crime
Not enough yet too much time
I'm burning in this hell
Plans to buy and dreams to sell
Sitting by myself
Living life and loving life
But something bothers me
What to do - I can't believe
I'm bored
Life it's not so fair
Nothing here and nothing there
I'm waiting constantly
It's not the way life's meant to be
Boredom starts to set
I try so hard but it's all I get
Keep waiting all the time
I think I've reached
The end of the line
I'm bored
09 Shores of Sin (06:30)
The crack of dawn fills the empty sky
We turn our heads towards the east
Between the hills
Walk the paths of love
Towards the caverns of the beast
A distant cry breaks the solitude
Of weary men who journey on
To see the sight horrifies us all
The magic wind blows and it's gone
Searching for answers
Another clue on the list
Searching for answers
To questions that cease to exist
Decipher the runes of earth
We travel forth to the lake of death
The guardian says that we must pay
The price is high for he demands a life
So it's he we must slay
Beyond the gates
Forests of the darkness
Without the key you'll not get in
We weave the spell
Of time and dimension
Which plants us on
The shores of sin
Searching for answers
Another clue on the list
Searching for answers
To questions that cease to exist
Searching for answers
Another clue on the list
Searching for answers
To questions that cease to exist
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