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Friday October 4th was a big day for fans of 70's Glam/Prog rockers Angel. The band returned with their first new album in nearly forty years featuring original members Punky Meadows and Frank DiMino. Early reports seem to indicate that members of the Angel Earth Force Fan Club feel it was well worth the wait.
A little history on Angel before we dive into the new record. Angel was formed in Washington D.C. by guitarist Punky Meadows and original bassist Mickie Jones. The original line up was rounded out with vocalist Frank DiMino, Drummer Barry Brandt and Keyboardist Gregg Giuffria. Angel were discovered in a club by Kiss bassist Gene Simmons and were eventually signed to Kiss' label Casablanca Records.
Angel had a big theatrical stage show and dressed in all white stage costumes. Some looked at them as the anti-Kiss. Meaning Angel were the Angelic Rockers while Kiss were the Demons of Rock. Seemed like this would have been the ultimate touring package but it never happened. I’m guessing once the Kiss team saw the Angel stage production along with their music, it made them a little nervous to share the concert stage with them.
Angel's debut album was released in 1975 and featured the signature song "The Tower". Four more albums followed with 1978's White Hot being the most successful. In 1979 the band released their final studio album Sinful followed by a double live album Live Without A Net. By this time the band felt like their "all white" image was holding them back and wanted to go for a more streetwise image. Unfortunately Casablanca Records was going through a lot of turmoil at the time and the band lost their deal with the label. For a short while the band tried to continue but soon splintered.
Original Angel line up during the 70’s.
During the decades following the break up, various members stayed active in different projects but guitarist Punky Meadows pretty much retired from performing and recording to focus on other ventures outside of music. Vocalist Frank DiMino attempted an Angel resurrection in the late 90's with the release of a new record called In The Beginning but many fans felt the album lacked the spark and energy of the bands classic 70's albums and didn’t feel like an Angel album. Original drummer Barry Brandt was also featured on the album. Keyboardist Gregg Giuffria had the biggest post Angel success with his bands Giuffria (who briefly used the Angel name) and House Of Lords. Giuffria eventually retired from music and became involved the casino gaming business.
In 2015 Punky announced that he was coming out of retirement and would be releasing an new album called Fallen Angel. Around this same time Frank DiMino also released new music. Frank appeared on Punky’s Fallen Angel album and the pair also released a three song EP together. Things evolved quickly and the duo decided the time was right for a full blown return of Angel and once again wear their "all white" stage outfits.
The revamped version of Angel signed with Cleopatra Records in 2019 and began recording a new record.
Risen hit record stores October 4th and it is quite a triumph. Punky and Frank are the only original members from the classic 70's line up that appear on Risen but the record has many of the elements that made Angel such a special and unique band. It's a musical journey that should please most of Angel's die hard fans.
Songs like "1975", "I Don't Want You To Go", "Turn Around", "Tell Me Why" and "Desire" would sound at home on White Hot or Sinful. Very poppy guitar driven songs with hooks that immediately stick in your brain. The band doesn't embrace their prog rock side that some fans of their first album were hoping for. The prog influence is there with some keyboard interludes and some arrangements but for the most part this is a guitar heavy record. I’ve always been a fan of the band’s melodic pop songs, so this album connected with me as soon as I dropped the needle.
Speaking of guitars, Punky Meadows really shines on this record. He has such a distinctive style and tone. Like I said earlier, this is a heavy guitar record and it reminds me a lot of the bands second album Helluva Band from 1976. Songs like 'Under The Gun", 'Over My Head", "Shot Of Your Love", "We Were The Wild", "Our Revolution" and "Slow Down" may be some of the heaviest riffing the band has ever put to vinyl.
Vocalist Frank DiMino also delivers a stunning performance on Risen. His vocals sound like he could have recorded them in 1978 at the bands peak. His voice has never sounded better. I got a chance to see Angel twice earlier this year and hearing Frank sing all those classic Angel songs was a treat, the man is a powerhouse.
One thing that strikes me about Risen is the cohesiveness of the new line up. They really sound like a band, it doesn't feel like guys trying to sound like Angel. They do have that classic Angel sound but there is an energetic vibe that gives this line up it’s own voice. .
Rounding out the new Angel line up are Charlie Calv (Keyboards), Steve E, Ojane (Bass Guitar), Billy Orrico (Drums/Backing Vocals) and Danny Farrow (Guitar/Backing Vocals). Guitarist Danny Farrow played a big part in the revival of Angel and he co-wrote most of the songs on Risen with Punky and Frank.
The album ends with a nod to the bands past with a rerecorded version of their best known song "The Tower". The band delivers a solid performance on the new recording of "The Tower" but they didn't need to add this track because the new material can stand on it's own.
I've been a fan of Angel since 1978 when I saw them open for Blue Oyster Cult in Huntington, WV. I remember leaving half way through Blue Oyster Cult's set because I thought they were kinda boring after watching Angel and opening band The Godz. I went out and bought all the Angel records I could find and had magazine clippings of Angel all over my bedroom walls along with my Kiss posters of course. Sadly that was my one and only time seeing the band during their original run but it was enough to make me a life long fan.
Hopefully Risen is the beginning of a new chapter for the band and we will hear more new music from them in years to come.
Risen is a strong contender for “Album of the Year” . Yeah, it’s that good!
Scott Carr is a guitarist who plays in the Columbus, OH bands Radio Tramps andReturning April. Scott is also an avid collector of vinyl records and works at Lost Weekend Records. So...if you are looking for Scott....you'll either find him in a dimly-lit bar playing his guitar or in a record store digging for the holy grail.
Me with Punky and Frank earlier this year in St. Louis.
Me purchasing Risen on vinyl the day it was released. Photo taken by Brett Ruland (Spoonful Records).