Death Angel – Relentless Retribution

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On first listen San Fransisco thrash legends Death Angel’s third post-reunion release is more of the same expertly produced and executed thrash metal full of biting vocals and sharp riffs. And there probably aren’t too many Death Angel fans who would have a problem with that. Another anthemic album in the vein of the excellent Killing Season and The Art of Dying albums would be perfectly adequate to keep the relentless Death Angel touring machine rolling, and tracks like Into The Arms of Righteous Anger, Where They Lay and River of Rapture, which saw live action ahead of the album’s release during the Summer, would fit perfectly on either of those discs. However moments like the 7:44 of Claws In So Deep, with a bridge straight out of an Opeth song and a superb acoustic latin outro, the Overkill groove on Absence of Light and Down-esque almost-ballad Volcanic, show that the band aren’t content to simply repeat, but are prepared to try new things. Relentless Retribution has all the elements of a classic Death Angel album, and a few extra besides, and is probably their best sounding, most interest record to date. They return to Europe in the Winter for the Thrashfest tour with Kreator and Exodus and will no doubt continue touring long into 2011.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Albums, Quick.Play Reviews, Thrash Metal, Death Angel