The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: Act III
Artist: Death Angel
Label: Geffen
Release Date: 1990

Rating: 3 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Solomon:
    I remember hearing a track or two off this record many moons ago, but I never felt compelled to delve into the band any further. Death Angel was just one of those groups that didn't quite "click" for me. My interest in the "Bay Area" sound was pretty well limited to old Metallica and Testament, but Death Angel is anything but a normal thrash band, especially on this platter. I don't have the experience to make any critical cross-comparisons with The Ultra Violence or Frolic Through The Park, but Act III takes some friendly-neighborhood speed metal and throws in some u-turns that the average metal fiend won't expect to find.

    Riff-mongers will not be disappointed by the fairly straight-forward metal inventions found in the chugging opener "Seemingly Endless Time," the nod to Maiden in "The Organization," and the Kill 'Em All attack of "Stop," but somewhere along the way things get a little weird. "Veil of Deception" is a nice acoustic number that only paves the way for "A Room With A View," probably my favorite track on the album. A surprisingly sweet number it is: heartfelt vocals by Mark Osegueda, a great acoustic guitar solo, and a punchy, electrified verse to drive it all home. Actually, the lead guitar work on this record is a real high point: good examples can be found in the call-and-answer approach in "Discontinued" and the Hammett toolings in "EX-TC." Some of the harder sections of the album contain unorthodox elements, like the funky bass/rhythm intro to "Discontinued" and the Hendrix flavorings in "Stagnant." Not only that, but Death Angel actually use clean (gasp!) gang vocals on a regular basis. Yep, this is not what I expect from a band with "death" in their title.

    Death Angel deserve big points for originality and a willingness to delve into the softer side of things, but I find Act III leaves me feeling a bit flat. These guys are great musicians, but the songs don't slap me around and leave me wanting more. The album lacks a certain mean streak or snarl, a certain gothic vibe that makes other thrash/speed records (like The New Order, The Legacy, Ride The Lightning, etc.) leave a deeper impression on the mind. Maybe if I had listened to one of DA's earlier records I would have sung a different tune, but not many records sound like Act III, and it's worth a listen for the more open-minded thrasher.
    3 out of 5

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