If anyone knows the struggle of trying to search for one of the greatest anomalies in
the Essex area and finding nothing but Bad Company references and releases, you know I
must be talking about Desolation Angels.
Forming in early 1981, each member met from the downfall of previous bands. The position
of drummer rotated seemingly every time the wind changed direction and would take the rest
of this write up to list them all. Desolation Angels released a live demo in 1983, which
apparently included songs that never made it onto the debut s/t album. Conjuring an epic,
doom laden, yet melodic and catchy approach, Desolation Angels managed to capture a sound
that other bands of the movement failed to achieve. That same year, the self-financed
Valhalla 7 single was released. Despite the long song arrangements, both
songs (backed with Boadicea) were powerful enough to land on the good side of
Kerrang. However, not every listener was won over and releasing long playing
singles mightve not been in Desolation Angels best interest.
Deviating from the template of most bands of the movement, Desolation Angels were an album
type band as their full potential couldnt be revealed with just a single 7
release. The timeline between Desolation Angels inception to the release of the full
length self-titled debut managed to stir up quite the noise and stage show, at one point
even creating a promotional video. Shows with Samson, Diamond Head and help from one of my
favorite band monikers-Dumptys Rusty Nuts (runner up: Ethel the Frog) further helped
Desolation Angels build a rabid following. Around this time a deal was landed, albeit
brief, with Bullet Records.
Just as drawing the wrong tarot card would reveal an unmerciful fate, Bullet ceased operation, mainly because of their distribution network thus putting a screeching halt on the debuts release. Due to Thameside Records financial connection to Bullet Records, the begrudged band carried on and the album was released the following year. The opening track, Spirit of the Deep, successfully encompasses deep dark themes, all the while revving up with eerily strung guitar harmonies, smashing cymbals, thunderous toms and bass...saving the last but not least, the often dreaded cow bell! The powerful yet melodic vocal approach from Dave Wall commands the listeners attention while Joe Larners bass fills stand competent from start to finish. Songs like Unsung Hero (a straight forward main riff rocker) are just as common and hard as any other NWOBHM track; the majority of the album sends the listener off into a supernatural wide awake dream. Death Machine, being one of the more notable tracks on the album displays one of the most weird and unique fuzz magic guitar tones of the movement. Is it a talk box-some sort of bizarre reverb/echo effect? While some press referred to the album as tedious, it really is a consistent slab of Heavy Metal from beginning to end, one of the most underrated records of the time period and one of my personal favorites. Interestingly enough, all but the revolving door that was the drummer are pictured and credited on the back sleeve; an ominous hand drawn picture of the band along with a skeleton, sans drummer. Maybe the Grim Reaper doesn't care for cow bell."Pictured and credited on the back sleeve; an ominous hand drawn picture of the band along with a skeleton, sans drummer. Maybe the Grim Reaper doesn't care for cow bell. "
--Josh Greer