California thrash metal icons, Dark Angel, are preparing to release their highly anticipated album Extinction Level Event, set for launch in late 2025 under Reversed Records. This marks the band’s first album in 34 years. The title track, “Extinction Level Event”, will be available to fans on Friday, April 11, 2025. The song was recorded and mixed at Vancouver’s Armoury Studios, with Gene Hoglan, the band’s drummer, taking on the role of executive producer. The production and engineering were handled by Rob Shallcross, and the mixing duties were overseen by Mike Fraser.
Drummer Gene Hoglan expressed his excitement about the upcoming album, stating, “Musically, lyrically, and vocally, I’m so stoked about this album. I’m really excited about Dark Angel right now, and everyone who’s heard the new album is losing their minds.”
The title track was penned by Dark Angel’s late guitarist, Jim Durkin, a decade ago, long before his battle with severe liver disease. Durkin tragically passed away in 2023, but his legacy lives on through the new material. Hoglan shared his admiration for the track, saying, “Jim Durkin left us with this badass tune. It is so Dark Angel, and I’m just so excited about it. We made it the lead-off song on the record, not as a tribute to Jim or because of sentimental reasons — but because it’s just a totally killer song. He wrote it ten years ago, and by today’s standards, it’s still ball-crushing.”
The album’s artwork was designed by Cain Gillis, based on concepts provided by Hoglan.
Earlier in April, Hoglan appeared on the Everblack podcast, revealing more about the album’s progress. “It’s a pretty ferocious record. I’m stoked with it,” he said. “It took long enough for it to come out, but now that we’re getting closer to the release, things are starting to get finalized. So, everybody, keep your eyes open. We just released the album cover, and when we have an actual drop date, we’ll share it with everybody. Pay attention to Dark Angel’s socials, and we’ll have more details soon.”
Fan-filmed footage from the Metal Beer Open Air festival, held in Santiago, Chile, on March 23, 2025, showcased Dark Angel performing two new tracks: “Extinction Level Event” and “Circular Firing Squad.”
The band was originally scheduled to debut their new material during a concert on January 29 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. However, the show was postponed due to wildfires in the area.
Dark Angel entered the studio in July 2024 to begin recording the album. Hoglan had teased the new material earlier that year, telling Rocking With Jam Man, “I’ve been working diligently for the last couple of years on projects that I think are going to make Dark Angel fans really happy.”
Looking back on the band’s history, Hoglan reflected on their hiatus after their 1991 album Time Does Not Heal. “I had an entire Dark Angel album written that was ready to be recorded after Time Does Not Heal, but circumstances forced the band to dissolve. So when Jim Durkin and I got back together and started talking about the future, I had a bunch of material ready. Jim heard it and was excited. We both decided to write new material together and focus on creating something fresh.”
He continued, “Jim Durkin’s influence on my writing style is massive. I wanted to ensure that his impact was felt on this new album. We didn’t try to duplicate any of our earlier work but instead approached it as if Dark Angel had continued making albums over the past 30 years. That mindset has really shaped the new material.”
Jim Durkin, who passed away on March 8, 2023, at 58, was an original member of Dark Angel and contributed to their first three albums — We Have Arrived (1985), Darkness Descends (1986), and Leave Scars (1989). Durkin briefly departed the band in 1989 but rejoined the lineup when Dark Angel reunited in 2013.
Before his passing, Durkin had stepped back from touring due to health issues, and his wife, Laura Christine, replaced him on stage. Laura Christine has since become a permanent member of Dark Angel.
Durkin’s death has left a significant void in the band, but his legacy continues to shape the new material. Hoglan acknowledged Durkin’s influence on thrash metal, stating, “His spirit is all over the new Dark Angel material. His legacy will live forever in the realm of extreme metal.”
Fans can look forward to the new album’s release in 2025, with more updates and details to be shared through Dark Angel’s official social media channels.
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