From seaoftranquility.org on Risen:
Although not strictly under the Angel name, seeing two lynchpins of the classic line-up of that band on stage together last year, playing the music of their old group, was, I must admit, a bucket list moment. Being born in Scotland in the early 70s, by the time Angel had disintegrated, I wasn’t even aware that they had existed. However, after reading a review by the ever knowledgable Dave Reynolds in Kerrang! of a full (mega-expensive) 1992 Japanese reissue campaign, I snapped up the band’s whole catalogue, especially with me already having been a long term follower of both Giuffria and House Of Lords, led by ex-Angel keyboard player Gregg Giuffria. From there I’ve been a devoted follower of a band long gone, so when both singer Frank DiMino and guitarist Punky Meadows each released top notch solo albums in recent years – and even worked together on a couple of songs – my fingers were firmly crossed for more collaboration.
Those ‘live dates of Angel music’ were, therefore a dream come true but I won’t lie, the talk of new music under the Angel name was something that worried me. The last Angel reunion, featuring DiMino, drummer Barry Brandt and occasional guest slots from Meadows and bassist Felix Robinson, resulted in just one album, 1999’s In The Beginning ageing much better than initial encounters suggested it would. However it’s Led Zeppelinisms were reasonably far removed from either the early melodic American prog Angel were initially known for, or the keyboard heavy pomp rock that they’d then go on to excel with, and as such left most fans cold. Hence, the recent rejoining of DiMino and Meadows under the Angel banner was just as filled with apprehension as it was exhilaration.
Introducing the album with a trademark (now sadly Giuffria-less) keyboard motif – which instantly reminds of the intro to Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr Crowley” – is a brave move but opener proper “Under The Gun” simply stuns you into submission. DiMino is in incredible form, his voice maybe not quite as elastic as it once was, but his ability to knock you sideways with power, emotion and melody isn’t diminished one jot. With a guitar riff that bites in deep and the keyboard work from Charlie Calv beautifully and unashamedly retro, if I didn’t know better I’d think this was the opening to a lost Angel album recorded between Helluva Band and On Earth As It Is In Heaven.
It’s no one off, “Shot Of Your Love” a strutting pomp anthem with one of those listen out for moments when a rifle is primed and fired on the beat before the chorus kicks in (you’ll be acting it out after one listen – oh yes you will!). With glorious layers of backing vocals and a trademark Meadows howling guitar solo, it really is as though the last 40 years or so never happened – apart from, thankfully, the sparkling production job that Risen arrives with. Then take in the measured strut of the keyboard dripping “Slow Down”, the beautiful paean to days gone by of “1975” and the trademark, uplifting chorus and strafing riff of “We Were The Wild” and Angel followers of old will be left in no doubt that Risen is the real deal. With 15 new tracks, the incredible thing is that the standard never drops and that while there’s no denying (and why would they?) that this new line-up of Angel are trying to stay true to the band of old, neither does this album sound like a rehash of past glories – not even on an excellent, if faithful, reworking of fan favourite “Tower”.
From the lighter waving “IOU” to the mid-paced fist pump of “Stand Up” and from the chant-along of “Don’t Want You To Go” to the easy but urgent “Turn Around” this comeback from one of the 70s most misunderstood bands really is glorious and so much more than we had any right to expect. As a long term fan, I’m nothing short of flabbergasted.
The only thing left to say? Angel truly are Risen once more!