Let’s get straight down to it anyone who knows anything about Thrash metal will know the name Death Angel and their pedigree. Back in the day these guys were very much the thinking mans Thrash band of choice, their maturity towards their music was an indelible quality that set them aside from many of the then genre stalwarts, and just when they looked to have achieved their blossoming potential it was gone like some much smoke in the wind.

Since their reformation in 2001 it’s fair to say Death Angel haven’t taken the Thrash world by storm, their come back record “The Art Of Dying” and it’s successor “Killing Season” were enjoyable, but somewhat lacking in much of the aggression that was so evident on the debut “Ultra Violence”. I’ve never been an advocate of bands rehashing the same album over and over, lord knows there are enough of those around already but Death Angel did stray a little to far from the Trash Metal path on their latter day releases. As a result the albums have had a diluted feel to them, low cal Thrash Metal if you will.

“Relentless Retribution” is the first Death Angel record not to feature Andy Galeon or Dennis Pepa which to the traditionalists out there will signal the end of an era, but it most certainly has not signalled the end of Death Angel; quite the reverse. There is a rasping fury about Rob Cavestany’s riffing throughout the record; with his signature style very much apparent old timers like me can only wonder what has reignited the fire in his belly? Album opener “Relentless Retribution” is a mid paced fist clencher in keeping with the feel of “Killing Season” and acts as a perfect scene setter for what is about to follow. Excluding the rather random Rodrigo y Gabriela piece at the end of “Claws So Deep” the song is one of the strongest Death Angel have penned since their reformation and rekindles the “Ultra Violence” days of yore.

Mark Osegueda’s vocals have only gotten better with age and his ability to mix more aggressive gruff with the clean non-distorted vocals sets him apart from many. It is the level of intensity of the album that makes “Relentless Retribution” a real signature Thrash album from this, the second wave of Thrash or even the first for that matter. Even slower songs like “Opponents at Sides”, which is one of the albums weaker tunes still has enough character to leave a trail of destruction in its wake.

It is however “ River of Rapture ” and “This Hate” that characterise what the Death Angel of 2010 are all about; aggressive, focused and clinical in their execution. There is little doubt that these guys are essential listening on this form and proof positive not all of the old school Thrash bands are about retrospective reflection. These guys want to make history NOW!