Listening to the sterling, neo-classical riffing of Humanicide, you’re once more reminded that, if it hadn’t been for the tour-bus related tragedy that occurred whilst touring Act III, it could so easily have been ‘the big five’ in thrash and not merely the big four. Nonetheless, Death Angel’s story is one of redemption and, since their 2001 reunion, the band have delivered a series of stunning thrash albums. However, with humanicide, the band have upped the ante once more and it seems that 2019 will finally see Death Angel get the recognition they deserve as one of the most consistently entertaining thrash acts out there.
Opening with the title track, deftly harmonised leads build irrevocably towards a ferocious thrash riff that hits home with real force. Musically devastating, it is Mark Osegueda’s vocals that put the icing on the cake, his venomous delivery cutting through the mix like a razor blade, his scream of “all hope is lost” seething with anger and despair in equal measure. It is a stunning opener, as powerful as anything to which the band have put their name, and it suggests that this, the band’s ninth album, will be their best to date. Keeping the pace taut, divine defector is based around a churning riff that is only one step removed from death metal menace. Once again, Mark outdoes himself on vocals, the echoing screams recalling the evergreen might of hell awaits-era Slayer whilst the solos that scream forth are an air guitarist’s dream. Aggressor, with its scything riffs and hyper-speed percussive blasts is a tornado of pristine thrash, the chorus destined to be chanted in venues the world over. As short, sharp and shocking as a rumble in the street, the spontaneous combustion of I came for blood is simply crushing, whilst the lengthy Immortal behated provides Rob Cavestany with plenty of opportunity to display his remarkable prowess on the guitar as a series of seismic leads scar the surface of the track.
Opening the album’s second half, Alive and screaming is fast and yet maintains a powerful, neck-snapping groove, before gang-chant vocals and a riff that threatens to draw blood is unleashed on the pack. Even so, it does little to prepare the listener for the thrash-in-excelsis of ghost of me, a devastating yet catchy pyrotechnic display that will send the mosh pit into overdrive. Slowing the pace, revelation song has an anthemic vibe to it, not to mention a surprisingly addictive chorus, and it paves the way neatly for album closer, of rats and men. Bringing one of the most blistering thrash records of recent times to a satisfying conclusion, of rats and men does not disappoint and it leaves an album already packed with thrash anthems on a high.
Death angel can look back on a phenomenal back catalogue but, even by their standards, Humanicide is a hyper-focused, hyper-violent work of art. This is frantic thrash created by five individuals with a genuine love of their genre and it is one of the most thrillingly exciting metal albums of 2019 to date. 9.5
