The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: We Have Arrived
Artist: Dark Angel
Label: Metal Storm
Release Date: 1984

Rating: 3 Skulls
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    • Death's Review:
    I was a HUGE Dark Angel fan "back in the day," as we veterans are fond of saying. Of course, I heard We Have Arrived back then ('85), but kinda disregraded it 'cause I was too enamored with Metallica's Ride, Megadeth's Killing, Slayer's Hell Awaits, Exodus' Bonded, Overkill's Feel, Possessed's Seven Churches and Anthrax's Spreading to be bothered. Next to those greats, Dark Angel was definite "B-List" material.

    But the years went by, and the Dark Angel releases just kept getting better and better and better... Drum god Gene Hoglan joined the band for the much-improved and seminal Darkness Descends. The Ultimate Revenge II video was killer. then came Leave Scars. Others may not have felt it, but the psychologically twisted lyrics, grinding riffage and insane double bass drum pounding, minus the misguided cover of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song," hooked me forever. New vocalist Ron Reinhart sounded great as well. The subsequent Time Does Not Heal is, to me, one of the most underrated technical thrash albums of all time. Listen to "Ancient Inherited Shame" and tell me this doesn't just shred everything else to pieces. Incredible stuff.

    So upon returning from Milwaukee Metalfest, I discover that Hel and Famine brought back this interesting little gem: Dark Angel's long-forgotten debut, We Have Arrived. Apparently, it has been released for the first time in the United States by Dark Realm Records (www.sadistic.com - also the home of death metallers, Sadistic Intent). I thought it might be interesting to check out this milestone record.

    So what does Dark Angel sound like without Hoglan or Reinhart in the not-so-sober light of the 21st Century? In many ways, it is disappointing. None of the dark psychology or complex riffing I loved so much on later records is to be found here. But a good roots/thrash effort shines through, one of the pillars of the temple of metal that should not be forgotten.

    The record starts out with pounding double-bass, kicking off the title track. Here you'll hear the first of many early Tom Araya -esque high pitched Don Doty screams on the record. It is the typical fast-paced, up-tempo thrash of the period, but a bit underproduced to say the least. The second track, "Merciless Death" is clearly one of the album's highlights. The bass intro gives it a bit of an early Overkill feel. But this song is total Show No Mercy Slayer. "We'll give you Merciless!... DEATH!" Cool.

    "Welcome to the Slaughterhouse" also stands out, the chainsaw intro should be played over the PA at every Exhumed show on their current tour. Good drumming here from Jack Schwartz, and cool riffs. But all in all, realize that We Have Arrived is just a simple, neck-snapping good time, nothing more. It has very little in common with Time Does Not Heal, in fact Eric Meyer is the only musician who performs on both records. Still, worth the time for the collector of metal history.

    Special thanks to "Jeff the Riffer" and his comprehensive Dark Angel page which helped me sort out some of the facts discussed above (time may not heal, but it certainly can cloud the details).
    3 out of 5
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