Dark Angel at Spirit Music Hall!

The Spirit Hall in Lawrenceville was the host to Dark Angel on October 1st.  Dark Angel, formed in 1981 is known for their American Thrash Metal music. Lead vocalist Ron Rinehart commanded the stage, and the pit throughout the band's set.  Ron left the stage several times and joined in the pit singing and moshing with the fans in attendance. Ron, even shouting out and playing tribute to the band's fallen member guitarist Jim Durkin. Also touching upon how respectful members of the pit were when a fan had fallen down.  Ron also pointed out a fan who traveled from Poland just to attend the night’s performance.

Despite another show in Pittsburgh, the crowd inside the Spirit Hall were thrashing hard to so many of Dark Angel’s hits.  This was my first experience seeing them live and was very entertained.  Guitarists Eric Meyer and Laura Christine absolutely crushed as well as bassist Mike Gonzalez and drummer Gene Hoglan. 

Their set list was a variety of new and old songs including Darkness Descends, Merciless Death, Burning of Sodom, Time Does Not Heal among many others.

Playing right before Dark Angel was Sacred Reich, a Phoenix Arizona based thrash metal band who played several hits off of their albums Surf Nicaragua and the American Way.  Vocalist Phil Rind wearing a Fuck Ice T-Shirt gave a very impactful speech about the importance of being kind. In a world that it is upside down, I have never felt so much peace, then at a metal show.  His words hit extremely close to home for me.  Never be afraid to tell someone how much they mean to you, because they could be gone tomorrow.
Opening the night was Hirax, a thrash metal band out of California. They really set the tone for the evening. Vocalist Katon W. De Pena is hands down the most expressive vocalist I have seen in a long time. They performed several of their hits including Bombs of Death, El Diablo Negro, Hostile Territory just to name a few!

​Review/Photo By: Bob Piskor