ANGEL – Helluva Band

ANGEL – Helluva Band
Label(s):
Casablanca Records
Released Year:
1976
Type:
Full-length
Tracklist:
1. Feelin' Right2. The Fortune3. Anyway You Want It4. Dr. Ice5. Mirrors6. Feelings7. Pressure Point8. Chicken Soup9. Angel Theme

ANGEL, from Washington DC.,US, were formed somewhere in the middle of the 70s. They started their musical journey with live appearances in local clubs of the area until they managed to get a deal with Casablanca Records thanks to gene KISS’ Gene Simmons who discovered them back in the 70s. “Helluva Band” (1976) is their second release that came out one year after their same titled debut (“Angel”, 1975). From those that are unaware of the band, ANGEL delivers a mix of Pomp and Progressive Rock with many Hard and Heavy elements, all these stuff under a melodic and catchy musical background.

The same goes for this album and if you take as a starting point the opener “Feeling Right”, you would sure understand my point especially about the melodic and catchy background of the band. The follower track, “The Fortune”, is one of those songs that words are never enough to describe it. I would put it simple and clear: I would for sure put this song into the list of my five favorite songs from the 70s –next to monsters like “Stargazer” (RAINBOW), “July Morning” (URIAH HEEP), etc- and in the list of my 10 favorite songs of all time.

You got to listen to its sky-traveling intro, its melodic and emotional main theme based on acoustic guitar, its powerful first breaking / bridge to its star breaking crescendo, to its heavenly solo –both in guitar and keys- to understand my point. Yes, this song is the main reason that I have selected this record for review. As the record goes on we would get back to earth with more “human” – and not “heavenly” like “The Fortune” – songs like “Any Way You Want It”, “Mirrors” – one of my other favorites in here mainly due to its epic touch-, “Feeling” – a beautiful ballad -, etc.

All the musical stuff in here carries the narcissistic feeling of Pomp Rock, the wild touch of the 70’s Hard Rock, some Space Rocking musical shades are making the songs even more beautiful and in general we got a record that everyone who searches for something really melodic would enjoy. The band’s main man Gregg Giuffria (keyboards) found later himself in other bands (GIUFFRIA, HOUSE OF LORDS) and the same goes for other band members as well, for example singer Frank Dimino found himself on UFO’s Paul Raymond project band. Unfortunately the main point is that ANGEL despite their talent and inspired stuff never managed to make it as a big band and their members met the success under other band monikers.

Previous article REFLECTION – Odyssey
Next article ATTIKA – Attika
I breathe for music. And I am more than sure that my mission in this universe is to make everybody agree that "Awaken The Guardian" by FATES WARNING is the best album ever released, yes in all musical genres. My next mission is to feed homeless cats and when I am not busy with all this stuff I listen to US Prog / Power and Epic Doom Metal. And I cast spells in rituals in order to awake the old ones. After my subscription to the "Happy Otters" team on Facebook.
Forgotten Scroll Fanzing Issue #6

Issue #6 Out Now

76 pages, 10 interviews. DAMASCUS (US) SANCTUM (US) HORIZON'S END (GR) LORD OF LIGHT (SWE) ETERNAL CHAMPION (US) GOTHIC STONE (IT) LEVIATHAN (US) NEAR INFINITY (US) ANGEL EDGE (US) OBLIVION KNIGHT (US) plus LEGIONED MARCHER (US)...

Follow Us

1,346FansLike
21FollowersFollow

NOVA SKELLIS – Life Amongst The Damned (Vinyl Reissue 2024)

What we deal with in NOVA SKELLIS’ case, is the chance of exploring the transcontinental fusion of almost any kind of heavy/power metal blend;...

MUTINY BAY – Mutiny Bay

WARLORD: The legend of William J Tsamis lives – Interview and...

To tell you the truth I was a little bit skeptical when I first learned about the Warlord tribute project set by drummer and founding member Mark Zonder and singer Giles Lavery to honor the music and memory of founder guitarist William J Tsamis who unfortunately passed away back in 2021. I was looking at the facts very closely, reading announcements about forthcoming live shows, new line up and a new album. The response from the fans was massive including both positive and negative (or very negative) comments about the above facts. "How can Warlord exist without Bill Tsamis?", they were asking. One afternoon I got a call from Giles Lavery himself asking me if I wanted to do an advance review of the forthcoming Warlord album. I replied positively still being in this skeptical mood. It all went away after the first listen... William J Tsamis was there. His music, his legend, his compositions, evolved into complete songs. In total excitement I texted Giles a single message "Bill is alive". The very next evening found Mark, Giles and I talking about the album, about Bill, about the music and the legacy. It was late at night when we ended the call. I asked them if I can publish our conversation and they got no problem. So here it is again: Me talking with Warlord. The usual stuff I am doing the last 25 years for various reasons. But this time I would not call this conversation an interview. To my eyes this is a big ethical, artistic and soulful statement, by some people who want to keep the Dream, alive.