Rob From Death Angel Stoked On New Thrash

Rob Cavestany penned two of the best thrash songs of all time—“Bored” and “Seemingly Endless Time”—but the string-burner has zero issue with young guns sounding (and looking) like they rolled out of Ruthie’s Inn 25 years ago. In fact, his support of the New Wave of Thrash/Speed Metal isn’t just notional; he’s really into the idea of kids forming bands—Cavestany teaches guitar in Oakland—strapping on a pair of Reebok Freestyles, and reliving the glory days of Metallica, Exodus, Testament, Forbidden, etc. “Man, I think it’s awesome!” says the Death Angel guitarist, as if he won the lottery. “These kids are feeling it the way we did. It reminds me of us when we were younger. They see where we’re coming from. I get a real kick out of it. It’s not their fault they weren’t born in that era. They’re experiencing it now. These kids are so respectful when they see us play. I can see the excitement in their eyes.”

 If thrash rats swoon at Death Angel onstage, they’re about to lose their minds when they hear Relentless Retribution. The heaviest (their words, not mine) since The Ultra-Violence, Death Angel’s sixth long-player operates on the—to quote lyrics from leadoff track “Relentless Revolution”—“join us or step aside” axiom. It’s not nearly as direct as, say, Overkill’s !!!Fuck You!!! volley, but nevertheless Relentlesss Retribution’s message is clear. Whether it’s founding members Dennis Pepa and Andy Galeon ceremoniously exiting Death Angel in 2008 and 2009, or the travails of workaday life, blood’s boiled too long for it not to affect Cavestany’s music. “We started channeling our personal aggressions into the music,” he says. “It’s a natural thing. In this case, we didn’t have to search for inspiration. It was apparent right from the start how the record was going to sound. It just came pouring out, really. It is a victorious statement to everything that’s held us back.”