I don't have any illusions making me believe that DEATH ANGEL would release an Ultra Violence part two, making me hitting my head against the wall with Thrash dynamites. But their return in the scene four years ago with The Art Of Dying made me very happy 'cause it was an album that justified their history and their quality. Honestly, this album left me counting my broken pieces; it was a shock, an inspiration orgy full with teenager anger and smell that I didn't expect. That's why I had great hopes for Killing Season.
Keeping the same lineup, they recorded at Studio 606 of California with the producing and mixing help of Nick Raskulinecz; DEATH ANGEL may be a bit more 'away' from Thrash but still not so big making them loose their identity. They created an album with catchy and easy-listening songs that the majority of them are holding the strange idiosyncrasy that is a blend of heteroclite influences, giving birth and shaping their strange and (if you like) unique identity. Don't forget that this band always showed us that couldn't stay in the ordinary limited borders and standards of the Thrash genre; look for example to their Frolic Through The Park and Act III albums.
On the other hand, their clever ideas, their inexhaustible inspiration together with this 'juvenile' of their sound was always on their side and the last album is no exception for this rule, just hear the youthfulness hue that Mark's voice still has and always had. Killing Season is, without a doubt, a well-worked album with once again excellent solos and all the above factors present.
The three first songs are just perfect, heavy, taking no prisoners while Carnival Justice will surprise you with its bridge. The mid-tempo Buried Alive with its stick to your mind refrain and the Thrash storm after its middle is an ear pleasure; I talk about ultra headbanging dudes. Soulless is super hit, if it was unleashed in the beginning of the 90s all radios and TV Heavy Metal programs would have it in their playlist; the refrain is once again mega perfect. God Vs God is one of the most spectacular moments. A sound depiction of their endless imagination in composing with a tribal almost dancing drumming, a guitar effect that travels you together with the solo, including a refrain full of anger together and a rebellion ending.
The Noose, When Worlds Collide and Steal The Crown are the minor parts of Killing Season. The last song, Resurrection Machine, has a melancholic feel, in the beginning reminded me a lot of Word To The Wise, the last cut of The Art Of Dying, but after its slow 'entrance' it becomes more Heavy. I cannot say that I enjoyed it, but it's cool.
DEATH ANGEL stands today in the crossroad of old-school and new-school, if we think their past and the freshness of their sound. That's why I believe in them as a band that can unite the majority of the Metal audience around the world. If you consider that the most of the old Bay Area bands have more than a decade to offer us a just nice song and DEATH ANGEL unleash them with so ease and calmness, I am wondering where is justice in this planet without giving them the attention they deserve(d). Who knows, maybe it is the crisis of the Metal market or the people's constant narrow-minded logic sticking to the already well-known bands without having a rudimentary interest of hearing something new. The fact is that all these are having destructive consequences to bands like them. Thanks to good luck, these guys are not only here and continue but we can see - via their music - lots of healthy and honesty/heavy focusing into their inner musical dimensions.
I cannot say that this album is as good as the previous, maybe 'cause of the surprising shock that The Art Of Dying brought. You know, I was expecting something good now and it is a good one, really. The limited edition will also include a bonus DVD with a live gig from France in 2003, which is cool but the absence of the lyrics in the booklet is not cool at all.  Anyway, Thrashers bang your head with one of the best San Francisco acts ever.