Angel DustOf Human Bondage
By
David Lee Wilson,
Contributor
Wednesday, May 8, 2002 @ 10:47 PM
(Century Media)
YES, YES, YES! This is what the Metal scene so desperately needs, a group who has a firm hold on the classic structure of Metal but isn’t locked in a time that is never to return.
With a single listen to Of Human Bondage, it is easy to hear nine exceptional tracks and one “classic,” but like any record worth histories remembrance, each successive play increases the number in the grander category. This disc is likely to be everything to the discriminating Metal ear that Ride The Lightening, Powerslave and Operation Mindcrime were, only here there will be no videos or radio play to carry it along. I say hurrah for that, it is more likely now that Angel Dust will be kept unspoiled by corporate intrusions.
What power there is in these lasered grooves -- the guitarist for instance, my god is he good. When Ritchie Wilkison spits out a chord, it stabs and stays until Wilkson himself withdraws it. “Unreal Soul” is a golden example of his ability as is it one of the best-crafted songs to yet be released by Angel Dust or anyone else for that matter.
“Forever” is another sacred gem though this time it is the duel attack of Wilkison and keyboardist Steven Banx that carries the number.
The Seal track, “Killer,” is covered here and were it not for the heads up of the liner notes, I would have thought that it was another original. Astoundingly fierce, but not rabid making this a killer with class. Every track has this quality in fact.
A special accolade should be reserved for the production mastery of Siggi Bemm, another record this tight would be hard to find, and he is a large part as to why.
Vocalist Dirk Thurisch is simply a phenomenal talent and would be a prime target for any group looking to pilfer a new vocalist. One can only hope that such a thing never happens, because what this group has is so incredibly special nothing should ever be allowed to compromise it.
*****
Ballzy - 7/4/2004 5:30:33 PM This CD was my introduction to Angel Dust. Unfortunately, I didn't discover them sooner. Anyway, let me tell ya, here in 2004 this CD still kicks ass. Great band! Rapidly becoming my favorite band. I'm glad to hear they are currently writing songs for a new CD.
theSAINT02 - 5/22/2002 9:54:23 AM Yes, I agree! It`s very refreshing to hear real talent caught on tape. In this day of Limp/Korn/"rap-rock"/MTV-corporate bandwagon jumpers, it`s a breath of fresh air to hear a real melody and melody lines. Hats-off to Angel Dust and it`s producers. They have created a real gem.
HailMary - 5/16/2002 1:44:34 PM PS: another example godsmack and godsmack the song off the great AIC album dirt. Get with it and lose the Ministry look, cause your not even remotly close. Damn!
HailMary - 5/16/2002 1:39:49 PM First off, It ain't cool to rip off a classic album name to use for your band name. Second, It's even more uncool sounding like shit. Give or take one of those and you might deserve to exist!
mbunton - 5/16/2002 7:09:04 AM Great review. I had never heard of Angel Dust before this review so I went to CDNOW.COM & listened to some samples. I now plan to purchase every Angel Dust album, as all the samples sound awesome.
metalking - 5/14/2002 12:27:50 PM Me too, good album and a good band.
StygianSteel - 5/14/2002 8:59:21 AM Silly? The keyboards are awesome on this album. They add so much depth to all the songs. I thought they were utilized really well.
kyleaustin316 - 5/13/2002 12:57:57 PM The guitars and stuff sound really good. Vocals too. What kills it for me is the silly keyboard sounds they use. I wasn't diggin those at all.
DOGSBOLLOCKS - 5/13/2002 6:34:22 AM hand_of_doom seems to be one of those deprived butt-fucks who feel they've missed the train in life and just want to bitch about everything.... Probably missed being breast-fed by mommie!!!!! Angel Dust have a good tight outfit. Even if the music is not quite my scene, any idiot who knows something about music can see the talent developing. The are good and if they get it right, they've got a great future!
majorwood - 5/12/2002 11:07:33 PM Angel Dust Kicks ass! I saw them in Offenbach,Germany rockin' show! The singer got better and better with each song. It shows that you don't have to be "IN" to be "GREAT" I'm glad that there are bands out there that stay underground(for us)because if it were to become to popular then you'd have the "BACK DOOR BOYS" fuckers jumpin' on the next "IN" thing. Fuck those mindless turds!!!!! A big Wazzzup to my best bud JackTheLiquor!!!!!
nemesis511 - 5/12/2002 10:46:36 AM this is a good band, i heard OF humange bondage earlier, its good
JackTheLiquor - 5/10/2002 8:06:19 PM Angel Dust is one of the best sounding live bands I've ever heard. Their last four albums are all brilliant in my ears.
granny_dryden - 5/10/2002 3:41:35 PM Angel Dust sound so different from the other Power Metal acts out there at the minute. It's not just a case of let's rip off Priest or copy as many of other peoples ideas as we can (ala Dream Theatre), they're a genuine band, with their own style. You can stand them next to Primal Fear and say 'yeah that's very similar' yet at the same time the intricacies in their music are very different. I didn't like this one as much as their last two, yet I know some people rate this as their fave, which is cool cuz it shows how they've catered for different tastes with each release yet still retaining their own sound. All those who slag off Angel Dust, who would you rather see on Kerrang - Angel Dust or Wankin Prats (aka Linkin Park)?
suicyco - 5/10/2002 3:09:12 PM Well, seems I'm the only one who thinks Angel Dust sucks major dick. And I'm not saying this because I don't like this type of music, cause I do like Savatage and Dream Theater alot, but this is just crap. I'm a musician myself, and from what I've heared, it's not all that great. Bands like symphony X, vanderplas, Dream theater and Savatage should excuse themselves to the audience if this was their opening act.
metalking - 5/10/2002 1:52:30 PM That hand of doom asshole never likes anything...well except for obviously Sabbath. Oh well, fuck him. I left my Primal Fear and Gamma Ray discs at my friend's house and he lives three hours away...FUCK!!! He's had my Kin Diamond - House of God for like a year now. This could get ugly.
YES, YES, YES! This is what the Metal scene so desperately needs, a group who has a firm hold on the classic structure of Metal but isn’t locked in a time that is never to return. 
