Review Summary: Overall a good album and the start of a legacy for Dark Angel. Could have been better, but no album is perfect.
Review: We have Arrived
This is one really good, early thrash album. This is before they got really technical and outrageously fast like Darkness Descends. So if You like early thrash that sounds like Exodus’ Bonded by Blood, this is for you. However it sounds a bit dated, but some people like that, and I certainly like it too. This has pretty good production for a debut.
Lineup:
Don Doty: vocals
Jimmy Durkin: guitar
Eric Meyer: guitar
Robbie Yahn: bass
Jack Schwartz: drums (No Gene Hoglan!!! Oh no) for those of you metal noobs, He is a famous thrash metal drummer that played in bands like Death. While Jack is no Gene Hoglan he ain't bad a drummer. Hes better than Lars Ulrich of Metallica, who has such simple drum patterns.
Song Reviews: I’m a picky grader.
1. We have arrived: Not a bad song. Not their best. But this is a pretty good song. It is a fast thrasher with good vocals by Don. He sounds like he is going to sneeze when he sings "We have arrived!" 6.5/10
2. Merciless Death: Really fast song. First a bass intro. Then a riff. Then, the drums and bass kick in and plays every beat. It is a really good intro that morphs into great song. “We’ll give you merciless. dun dun dun dun dun. dun. We’ll give you merciless death!” My only problem is the verse. I jest don’t like the verse for some reason. Cool chorus though 7.5/10
3. Falling From the Sky: Really catchy song. It reminds me of Heathen for some reason. One of my favorites. I really like the tempo changes plus the cool solo. 9/10
4. Welcome to the Slaughterhouse: The best song on the Album. This shreds!! Starts out with some chainsaw noises and a maniac laughing. A fast riff comes next with cool almost tribal drumbeats. Really makes your head bang. It’s hypnotizing. Every time I listen too it makes me bang my head from side to side. Reminds me of Megadeth’s killing is my business song because of the sheer catchiness. Nice chorus. Welcome to the Slaught-er-house.” 10/10
5.
No tomorrow: A riff that sounds like a rip-off of hit the lights by Metallica. Another straight up thrasher. Pretty good song. If you like hit the lights then this is for you. 7/10
6.
Hell on its Knees: Starts off with an unnecessary acoustic intro that sounds nothing like the song.Many bands have done these acoustic intros. I say why bother? Unless you plan on creating a song like Stairway to Heaven or One by Metallica that actually progresses into the heavier part. Not just changes abruptly. This is a really good song though. Ranks up their with Slaughterhouse. Real catchy too. I like the catchiness because they will lose most of it with their next album, Darkness Descends, which has nothing catchy about it.9.5/10
7.
Vendetta: Acoustic piece at the beginning that quicky turns a mid paced disaster song that sounds terrible. The song gets saved by a cool riff in the middle and then solos after. While the song is not bad it is not good either. It is very boring. Worst song on the album. 5/10
