West Coast thrash icons Dark Angel have returned in full force. Their long awaited fifth studio album, Extinction Level Event, is out now via Reversed Records, marking the band’s first new release since 1991’s Time Does Not Heal.
Formed in 1981 alongside genre peers like Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, Dark Angel built a reputation for precision, intensity, and relentless speed. Landmark albums including Darkness Descends and Leave Scars secured their status as architects of thrash. Now, with Extinction Level Event, the band is reasserting their influence for a new generation of headbangers.
Produced and engineered by Rob Shallcross and mixed by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica, Rush), the new record blends the ferocity fans expect with sharp technicality and dark lyricism. Early singles “Extinction Level Event” and “Circular Firing Squad” hinted at the album’s uncompromising vision. The title track, written by late co-founder Jim Durkin, offers a devastating tribute to Dark Angel’s legacy while looking firmly toward the future.
The current lineup features drummer Gene Hoglan, guitarist Eric Meyer, bassist Mike Gonzalez, vocalist Ron Rinehart, and guitarist Laura Christine, who joined in 2022. Hoglan, whose resume includes Death, Testament, and Dethklok, describes the new album as the most exciting chapter in the band’s career. “Everyone who’s heard the record is losing their minds,” he says.
In addition to the release, Dark Angel will embark on The Extinction Level Event North American Tour this fall, their first domestic run in over three decades. Support varies by date, featuring Sacred Reich, Hirax, Vio-Lence, Midnight, Void, and Interceptor.
Fans can also get their hands on limited collector’s edition packages, including signed CDs and vinyl, exclusive merch, and even stage used gear from the recording sessions. Packages are available now through the band’s official Reversed Records store.
Tour Dates
Sept 5 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues#
Sept 6 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater#
Sept 7 – Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater#
Sept 11 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall#
Sept 12 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center#
Sept 13 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater#
Sept 14 – Baton Rouge, LA – Chelsea’s Live#
Sept 16 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum#
Sept 17 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Revolution#
Sept 19 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club#
Sept 20 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground#
Sept 23 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre#
Sept 24 – Harrisburg, PA – Capital City Music Hall#
Sept 25 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage#
Sept 26 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium#
Sept 27 – Montreal, QC – Club Soda#
Sept 28 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
Sept 30 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall%
Oct 1 – Pittsburgh, PA – Spirit Hall%
Oct 2 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues%
Oct 3 – Chicago, IL – Reggies%
Oct 4 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater%
Oct 6 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater^
Oct 7 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot^
Oct 8 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club^
Oct 10 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre^
Oct 11 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater^
Oct 12 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon^
Oct 15 – Berkeley, CA – UC Theatre&
Oct 16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco&
- # with Sacred Reich, Hirax, Void
- % with Sacred Reich, Hirax, Interceptor
- ^ with Sacred Reich, Vio-Lence, Midnight, Interceptor
- & with Sacred Reich, Vio-Lence, Hirax, Midnight, Interceptor
Gene Hoglan Liquid Metal Interview/Takeover
- Fri 9/5 @ 4pE
- Sat 9/6 @ 9aE
- Sun 9/7 @ 5pE
- Mon 9/8 @ 11aE
- Tues 9/9 @ 9pE
- Wed 9/10 @ 2pE
- Thurs 9/11 @ 11pE
*or listen anytime in the SiriusXM app, search “Dark Angel”
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