Day: November 12, 2022

This was Angel’s final album from their initial incarnation, it was released back in ’79. Signed to Casablanca, as were Kiss, the image they had was the exact opposite to Kiss and the label played on the good versus evil  for a while.

Musically it’s basic 70’s rock and their sound seems to have watered down through the albums. After the pomp and Prog vibes of the first album, especially with the epic Tower, they have changed a lot since and this album could belong to any hard rock band around this period. In ’79 Van Halen we’re onto album number two and the musical landscape had changed a lot in a short space of time, this type of rock was becoming somewhat dated.

It’s not a bad record it’s just of it’s time, and it sounds it. I guess Greg Giuffria knew this as he soon jumped ship to House Of Lords and Giuffria. It’s hard to pick a favourite track, but if I’m pushed I would say LA Lady as the hook and chorus are quite cool. Not the best Angel album as that goes to the either of the first two.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This was the band’s debut album, released in ’88. They had an initial burst with this and the follow up album Damned Nation. Then, they took a little hiatus until ’98 but they have been rockin’ on ever since.

Feel The Shake opens up the album and it is a four to the floor sleaze groover, typical of late eighties LA. Make Some Noise is a straight up rocker with a nice hook and chorus. Bad Disease has a very old school fifties rockabilly vibe, mixed with a killer production. The rock n’ roll riffs keep coming with Fire In My Heart, although Rose Tattoo popped into mind at first. Hometown Blues closes out Side 1 and it is what it says on the tin.

The good time rock n’ roll vibe continues with Locked In A Cage with quite a sparse guitar riff and the sing along chorus. Talkin’ has a big GnR vibe except for the cheesy middle section. Hard Climb is about as simple as it comes with the one note bass riff intro, and it’s Poison in all but name. Bloodstone has an odd opening sequence before it settles down to be my favourite track on the album. A cool chord progression and great groove. Last track is Snakebite. It has a groove where I could swear I’m in bar in Australia and either The Angels or Rose Tattoo are playing.

8/10 from The Grooveman.