Label - Combat
Year of Release - 1986
Tracklist:
1. Darkness Descends
2. The Burning Of Sodom
3. Hunger Of The Undead
4. Merciless Death
5. Death Is Certain (Life Is Not)
6. Black Prophecies
7. Perish In Flames

"Darkness Descends" is the defining moment for Dark Angel. "Caffeine Metal," as the band liked to call their brand of Thrash, never had a greater moment.

Jack Shwartz made way for the monstrous presence of Gene Hoglan on the drum kit and Dark Angel's new mandate seemed to be: play the most brutal, violent face ripping, chaotically fast Thrash Metal ever. Doty's vocals had acquired more menace, the guitars of Durkin and Meyer acquired speeds light years ahead of that on "We Have Arrived" and Hoglan on the drums was absolutely pulverizing. The sheer growth of the band from "We Have Arrived" to "Darkness Descends" is awe inspiring and most of the Slayerisms of the debut have been chucked as the band found its own identity.

Album opener and title song "Darkness Descends" sets the tone for the album to follow and it is one hell of a rush from start to finish. The best song off "We Have Arrived", "Merciless Death finds its way onto this album as well. However, thanks to the surfeit of great songs on this album, it does not sound half as special as it did when on "We Have Arrived." "Death Is Certain (Life Is Not)" is another superb song from Dark Angel and along with "Black Prophecies" and "The Burning Of Sodom" reminds us all (if any reminder is ever needed) why "Darkness Descends" is so damn untouchable.

Nothing can come close to this album except for perhaps "Bonded For Blood" by Exodus.