The '80s Bay Area thrash scene was something to behold—Exodus, Testament, Possessed, Forbidden, a little band called Metallica, and one of my favorites, Death Angel. Aside from a hiatus in the '90s, Death Angel have released a relatively steady stream of material. The band came out of retirement with 2004's The Art of Dying, which eviscerated those who thought the band wouldn't be able to keep up with a younger generation of metalheads. Death Angel continue to sound inspired, without attempting to chase trends. They simply do what they do, and they do it well. by Mark Lore