THE BEAST

DARK ANGEL Bassist Defends Comeback Single: “I’m Proud of What We’ve Done”

Legendary thrash outfit DARK ANGEL has stirred the metal world with the release of “ Extinction Level Event ,” the title track off their long-awaited comeback album — their first new full-length in 34 years. While reactions from fans have been deeply divided, bassist Michael Gonzalez is standing firmly behind the new material.

Released last Friday (April 11), “Extinction Level Event” is the first taste of DARK ANGEL’s upcoming LP, due out in 2025 via Reversed Records . The album was recorded and mixed at Armoury Studios in Vancouver, with drumming icon Gene Hoglan taking on executive producer duties. Rob Shallcross handled production and engineering, and Mike Fraser (known for his work with AC/DC and Metallica) mixed the record.

A Divisive Return

As is often the case when veteran bands release new material after decades, fan reactions ranged from enthusiastic praise to harsh critique. Some longtime supporters voiced their disappointment with the new track’s vocals and songwriting, questioning whether frontman Ron Rinehart’s voice had held up over the years and lamenting the absence of late guitarist Jim Durkin , who passed away in 2023.

One fan on Facebook wrote, “Listening to this song I was like: 'Is that really Ron? What happened to his voice?'… Totally not worth waiting 34 years.” Another remarked, “All that hype, then this. Yawn. No Durkin, no DARK ANGEL. Hang it up.”

Even radio personality Tony Webster of “The Metal Command” didn't hold back, calling the track “absolutely horrendous” and “uninspired,” stating it was “four minutes and 16 seconds of my life that I wish I could get back.”

Some Fans Stand by the Band

But not all reactions were negative. Other fans pointed out that the band’s sound had aged — as expected — but not necessarily in a bad way.

“It sounds like DARK ANGEL, which means they have their own particular sound rather than sounding like another 1,000 standard metal bands,” said one listener. Another added, “People can piss on this all they want but I like it… It’s metal and crushes most of the new crap out there today.”

Gonzalez Responds

In the midst of the social media storm, Gonzalez weighed in with a candid and confident statement:

“It is what it is. We made an album for us and where we are at now. Whether it's loved or hated, I'm proud of what we've done.”

His message was clear — DARK ANGEL didn’t return to recreate the past but to create something authentic to their present selves.

Durkin’s Last Contribution

The title track itself was penned by Jim Durkin a decade ago, making it both a poignant and powerful choice to kick off the album. “Jim Durkin left us with this badass tune,” said Hoglan in a press release. “We made it the lead-off song… not as a tribute… but because it’s just a totally killer song.”

Durkin, who helped shape the band’s signature sound on early classics like We Have Arrived , Darkness Descends , and Leave Scars , passed away on March 8, 2023, at the age of 58 after a battle with liver disease. His widow, Laura Christine , now plays guitar in the band and contributed to the upcoming album.

Looking Ahead

Despite the backlash, DARK ANGEL remains committed to their vision. Hoglan recently described Extinction Level Event as a “pretty ferocious record” on the Everblack podcast, saying, “It took long enough… but now that we’re getting closer to the release, things are starting to get finalized.”

With decades behind them and an album on the horizon, DARK ANGEL’s legacy continues to evolve — and for Gonzalez and the rest of the band, that’s more than enough reason to stand tall.

Photo by Alex Solca