Death Angel

Members: Mark Osegueda, Rob Cavestany, Andy Galeon, Dennis Pepa, Ted Aguilar

Active: 1982-1991, 2001-Present

HISTORY

Death Angel was formed in San Francisco, CA, in 1982 by Rob Cavestany (lead guitar), brothers Gus Pepa (rhythm guitar) and Dennis Pepa (bass, vocals), and Andy Galeon (drums). Unique in that all of the members were cousins and barely in their teens, the band grew up watching Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Exodus and others rise to fame as part of the burgeoning Bay area thrash movement. In 1984, Mark Osegueda joined the band as vocalist, although Dennis does sing (along with Rob) on the song \"Thrashers\", Death Angel\'s first song, written before Mark joined.

Death Angel played club gigs in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for the better part of 2 years, writing songs and refining their stage show. In 1986, the band recorded their legendary Kill As One demo with longtime friend Kirk Hammett (of Metallica) as producer. Due to the underground tape trading wave of the early 1980s, the demo was widely distributed and received massive interest. Of note was the incredibly young age of virtuoso drummer Andy Galeon, who was only 14 years old at the time of the recording.

THE ENIGMA YEARS 1987-1988

The success of the Kill As One demo led to a record deal with Enigma Records, who released the critically acclaimed album, The Ultra-Violence, in 1987. Hailed as one of the greatest thrash albums of all time, the band recorded the album while they were all under 20 years old. The Ultra-Violence quickly sold 40,000 copies in only four months, successfully launching Death Angel to the top of the thrash world.

In 1988, Death Angel released Frolic through the Park, a spotty follow up to The Ultra-Violence, which suffered slightly from rushed production and songwriting. The album spawned the single \"Bored\", a song that received regular airplay on MTV\'s Headbanger\'s Ball. The band toured worldwide for the first time, and found notable success in Japan, selling out 2 full Japanese tours.

THE GEFFEN YEARS 1989-1190

Death Angel signed with Geffen Records in 1989 and released their third album, the critically acclaimed Act III in 1990. Produced by Max Norman (Megadeth), the album marked a serious shift in ability and songwriting skill for the band, featuring the blossoming guitar skills of Rob Cavestany, and melodic songwriting sense of chief writers Rob, Andy, and Mark. Arguably the bands finest effort, Act III stands as a metal masterpiece. The band\'s new found use of full band backing vocals (ala Queen) elements of funk, thrash, and heavy metal, along with acoustic songs give the album a varied feel, while staying true to the bands heavy roots.

The album featured the singles \"Seemengly Endless Time\" and \"A Room With A View\" - a ballad sung mostly by guitarist Rob Cavestany. Both songs received heavy airplay on MTV\'s Headbanger\'s Ball, gaining the band a loyal following.

Also in 1990, Enigma Records released Fall from Grace, a choppy live album featuring songs from their first two releases. Due to the fact that Death Angel signed with Geffen Records in 1989 while still signed to Enigma, and owing one album on their contract, the album was released without any input from the band.

Death Angel embarked on what would\'ve been a worldwide tour in support of Act III in 1990, selling out shows at The Warfield Theater in San Francisco, The Ritz in New York, and England\'s Hammersmith Odeon. The band was also slated to the opening band for the Clash of the Titans tour (featuring Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax later in the year.

While on the road in Arizona, Death Angel suffered a horrific tour bus crash, in which drummer Andy Galeon was critically injured, needing more than a year to fully recover. During this time, vocalist Mark Osegueda left the band, and moved to New York to pursue a life outside of thrash metal. Following the split the remaining members performed a few shows in the Bay Area, appearing as \"The Past\", playing acoustic-only sets.

HIATUS 1991-2000

In the summer of 1991, with Galeon fully recovered, the band changed their name to The Organization, with guitarist Rob Cavestany taking over lead vocal duties. The band continued their exploration into new sounds, focusing less on traditional metal, and more on funk and alt rock.

The Organization toured extensively throughout the US and Europe, including two appearances at Holland\'s Dynamo Open Air Festival, a support slot on Rob Halford\'s \"Fight\" tour, and as the main support act for Motorhead in Europe. Unfortunately, both 1993\'s The Organization and 1995\'s Savor the Flavor (Metal Blade Records) failed to make waves with the record buying public, and after bassist Dennis Pepa left in 1995, the band called it quits.

In 1998, Rob Cavestany and Andy Galeon reformed with Mark Osegueda for the first time since 1990. Along with bassist Michael Isaiah) the trio formed Swarm, and released the four-song Devour EP in 1999. Swarm toured with Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains in 2000, and released the full-length album Beyond the End in 2002. Although Swarm did not become a success, it did bring the core of the band back together, which set the wheels into motion for a Death Angel reunion.

RETURN 2001-PRESENT

Death Angel officially reunited in August 2001 for \"Thrash of the Titans\", a cancer benefit show for Testament frontman Chuck Billy. Unfortunately, original guitarist Gus Pepa was unwilling to participate, so Death Angel enlisted longtime friend Ted Aguilar to handle rhythm guitar duties. Originally planned as a one-off show, the band received such an overwhelming response, that the show led to a string of other well-received gigs around the San Francisco area, and a more permanent reunion in 2003. In 2004, 14 years after their last release as Death Angel, they released a new album entitled The Art of Dying on Nuclear Blast records, much to the delight of many long-time fans. Archives and Artifacts, a box set with remastered versions of their first two out of print albums The Ultra-Violence and Frolic through the Park, alng with a bonus Rarities CD and DVD, followed in 2005.

Mark Osegueda has since announced his involvement in \"another band\", but intends to stay with Death Angel.

There is a word that Death Angel is writing and recording another new album that is possibly due for release sometime in 2006.

ALBUMS

1983 - Heavy Metal Insanity

1986 - Kill As One

1987 - The Ultra-Violence

1988 - Frolic through the Park

1990 - Act III

1990 - Fall From Grace

2004 - The Art of Dying

2005 - Archives and Artifacts