Archangel – Total Dark Sublime

Written by on 10-02-2024 at 16:36.

In more Biblical times one of the archangels was called Gabriel, now they are called Søren, Janus and Kenneth, collectively ascended in Denmark under the pseudonym Archangel. Applying the motto “something for everyone,” the band launched its debut album Total Dark Sublime in 2023.

At first glance, the band personifies everything a mother warns her daughter about: long-haired thugs with broad chests, liberally doused with (let’s hope) fake blood. But if that same mother keeps her eyes closed and has a little love for “theatrical horror metal punk” (for that’s how the band itself calls their genre), then it’s definitely okay for her to have her beloved daughter kidnapped by this trio.

Archangel - band

Archangel brings varied hard rock/metal/punk that sounds far more well-behaved than their bloody image. But that’s the case with many other bands that have the word “theatrical” in their description. Isn’t that so, Alice Cooper, W.A.S.P., Kiss, GWAR, Marilyn Manson?

Just listen to opener (and first single) The New God: introduced by an acoustic guitar, an orchestra in the background, a soft voice … But you do feel that something more menacing is coming. And so it is: a very catchy no-nonsense riff and 1-beat drum takes over, only to build another calm bridge later on. A guitar solo, you said? Yes, there is, but you feel Archangel’s music is not built around that. No, fans of guitar shredding and minutes of soloing or guitar battles will have a barren trip on this album.

On Dance Demon Dance, the pace and intensity does pick up. And this is where I understand the reference to the word “punk.” The bass intro refers to Dead Kennedys, the rest of the song (not just this one) does have something akin to the sound of Bloody Hammers, a band that also exudes a rather theatrical image in its clips. If you want to hear a hint of new wave here, I’m certainly not going to deny that either. Blind Dragon is in the same musical lane: a good two minutes of fast yet fairly melodic punk rock. Or is it rock punk? And on the equally short and even faster Sunslayer, the somewhat polite sound disappears even further. Three really nice songs in a row.

Then Archangel decides to put the brakes on for a while and throws in a power ballad with second single Vidine. Quite a break in style that first minute, but throughout the song the punk sound of the guitar still gets enough space to keep it acceptable.

In my opinion, Apollyon Vistas even has hit potential. This is really a mixture between the aforementioned Bloody Hammers and pop punk à la Green Day, The Offspring or blink-182. Nice though, sticks in your head. Cast Down: the same thing, but without the Bloody Hammers link.

With Total Dark Sublime, Archangel delivers a nice punk rock album, although musically they aim wider. For me, though, it’s those more punk rock-oriented songs that stand out. The more ordinary rock/metal without heavy solos is worthwhile, but it doesn’t set them apart. And … 37 minutes is not long for a full album.

Score:

81/100

Label:

Scarlet Records, 2023

Tracklisting:

  1. The New God
  2. Take My Soul
  3. Dance Demon Dance
  4. Blind Dragon
  5. Sunslayer
  6. Vidine
  7. Apollyon Vistas
  8. Cast Down
  9. Catatonic Children
  10. Total Dark Sublime

Line-up:

  • Søren Crawack – Vocals, guitar
  • Janus Kragh – Guitar
  • Kenneth Frandsen – Bass

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