We push ourselves - every strum is double time, every ride/hi hat beat is DOUBLE time, etc. We have what I call 'the overkill factor', you've got heaviness, you've got speed, you've got blazing, then you've got 'the overkill factor'. Where everything is pushing its limit; you're about to die or go insane, whichever comes first; you're blitzing through the envelope; everything could fall apart at any minute, but no, wait, we got it under control overkill, overkill!
Gene Hoglan / Dark Angel interview, Grey Matter #2, 1987
DARK ANGEL released the classic Darkness Descends LP on this day in 1986 through Combat Records.
Did you know that there are actually eight songs on Darkness? Y'know that 'interesting' intro to Darkness? That's actually a tune named "Harbringer of Doom", but Combat decided that it wasn't a tune named "Harbinger of Doom".
Gene Hoglan / Dark Angel interview, Grey Matter #2, 1987
Topics on Darkness Descends ranged from euthanasia and the very real pain of losing a loved one ("Death Is Certain") to the hypocrisy existing in a beloved book - the Bible ("The Burning of Sodom") to Karma, reincarnation and possibly a different answer to the question concerning afterlife ("Hunger of the Undead") to "Judge Dredd" issue #3 ("Darkness Descends" - beat you to it, Anthrax!) to Nostradamus, the prophet and his horrifying predictions of the fate of man ("Black Prophecies") to having no choice in the matter, but to follow orders adnd be one of the first to drop bombs ("Perish in Flames") to thrashing in the front row ("Merciless Death - gasp! How original!!...).
Gene Hoglan / Dark Angel interview, Grey Matter #2, 1987
