San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal legends DEATH ANGEL are marking a decade of their landmark eighth studio album, "The Evil Divide", with a special anniversary vinyl reissue arriving July 24 via Nuclear Blast Records. Originally released on May 27, 2016 — exactly ten years ago to the day — the album stands as one of the finest statements of DEATH ANGEL's second career renaissance.
Produced by Jason Suecof at AudioHammer Studios, The Evil Divide captured the band at peak intensity: ferocious riffing, precision drumming, and the soaring vocals of Mark Osegueda in peak form. Critics praised it widely as a modern thrash triumph that honored the Bay Area tradition while pushing forward with sharpened songwriting and contemporary production.
The anniversary vinyl edition brings a significant bonus: "Wasteland" — DEATH ANGEL's powerful interpretation of a track originally performed by British post-punk band THE MISSION in 1986. This cover was previously available only on select limited CD digipak editions outside the United States; it now makes its vinyl debut and will also become available for worldwide streaming for the very first time.
The reissue arrives as DEATH ANGEL are already deep into celebrating another milestone: their ongoing U.S. tour commemorating the 35th anniversary of "Act III" (1990), the Geffen Records major-label debut that brought MTV exposure and mainstream recognition while retaining the band's thrash core.
Formed in 1982 in Daly City, California, DEATH ANGEL emerged as teenage prodigies with the blistering debut The Ultra-Violence (1987) — recorded when drummer Andy Galeon was just 14 years old. They went on to define the Bay Area sound alongside METALLICA, SLAYER, and EXODUS before reuniting in 2001 to deliver one of thrash's most remarkable second acts.
The Evil Divide anniversary edition is essential for any serious thrash collection.