Desolation Angels - Desolation Angels (1986)

Oh my giddy aunt - this is big. Right, imagine a world - something akin to Middle Earth (Tolkien's creation for those not in the know) where the only bands rumoured to exist are Heavy Load, Kick Axe, Sabbath, Trouble, Witchfinder General, Pentagram, Cirith Ungol et al. Desolation Angels would also be part of that earthy clan of evil warlocks. The more I listen to this so-called New Wave Of British Heavy metal (NWOBHM) the more I start to think that it's this sort of sound that personifies the 'doom' tag. Forget the imitation bands trying to depressing and slow, let's just exist in the woods and play real heavy metal - the bands mentioned are real heavy metal, they are sincere, and genuine in their attempt to rise from their oaken throne and bang even the most sturdy and stiff of heads. Desolation Angels have that obscure air of mystery about them, the album cover and then - wwhhhooooaaaaahhhhh - where does that evil riff come from ? Desolation Angels built a basement in the darkest castle and crafted this album of what can only be described as mesmerising and real heavy metal. Epic with ease, it creaks like an ancient library of clandestine information. It smells like the oldest, yellowing book, and when the dust is blown off, dragons, goblins, warlords and demons come charging from within. From the monstrous yawning 'Spirit Of The Deep', to the doom-laden weight of 'Evil Possessor', I can only salute this monolithic record which exists in another realm - another time - it cannot live any longer because every second it excels itself and doesn't need to prove any further point. Like Trouble's self titled masterpiece, and their crustier earlier efforts, like Witchfinder General's medieval landscapes of rain, and like Sabbath's earth shattering brand of post Beatles evil, Desolation Angels create an equally ominous shadow on the horizon. The vocals are a war cry, the riffs are high on warrior fire, the drums are a bell of hell, but nothing drones, nothing labours, instead Desolation Angels wrench out a track like 'Death Machine' and then they shriek into the sky like some moon-sized crow, leaving their folklore to scare the villagers for the next million years. This is a mighty record that almost sounds out of place in the '80s, but because the Dark Ages never experienced record players, this self-titled juggernaut has to sit in the '80s but its shadow has been cast forever yonder. Responsible for earthqaukes all over the world....seek it out before you are crushed into nothing. Metal rules.

9/10