Death Angel - The Dream calls for Blood

(CD Album Review)

****

Death Angel return heavier then ever on 7th album!

Death Angel are among the handful of Thrash bands that actually improved with age and there are no signs of slowing down on this latest opus. The band haven't really put a foot wrong since the reformation. Infact 2004's 'The Art of Dying' the weakest of their post reunion output. The band have gone from strength to strength and 'Killing Season' is this writers personal favorite.

This years release 'The Dream calls for Blood' continues where 'Relentless Retribution' that album marked a new era for the band as it was the first release with bassist Damian Sisson and drummer Will Carroll. It is also the second time on the trot they have used producer Jason Suecof. 'Relentless Retribution' was the heaviest album the band made to date. Although the band have always been heavy that album saw them go from an energetic heavy to being aggressively heavy. The mellow moments and melody took a back seat on that album also.

'The Dream calls for Blood' sees that band take the "it's not broke, don't fix it" approach it's the same line up, same producer and even the same artist providing the artwork which expands the concept of the wolf in sheeps clothing. The approach has worked, everything that made 'Relentless Retribution' a great album is also on this album but with the ante turned up! Every track is a shred tastic thousand miles an hour, there is a mellow introduction to the mid paced 'Execution - don't save Me' and 'Detonate' recalls their 80's output but apart from that fasten your seat belt because your in for a full throttle ride.

The special edition is well worth the extra money as it comes in a hardback book cover it comes with a very good hour long "making of" documentary and a fantastic cover of Black Sabbath's Dio era masterpiece heaven and hell. Some of the best Thrash Metal ever is being made now and this album is another shining example.