The thrash steel world was dealt a heavy blow again in March after we all discovered that founding member and Darkish Angel guitarist Jim Durkin had handed away at 58 years outdated. The information got here as a specific shock, because it was introduced that the band was engaged on new materials and had particular gigs lined as much as carry out their 1986 traditional, Darkness Descends, in full.
But nobody was in additional shock than the surviving members of Darkish Angel, in keeping with drummer Gene Hoglan, who shared his ideas on Durkin’s passing whereas talking with Friday thirteenth (transcribed by Blabbermouth).
In keeping with Hoglan, the band knew that Durkin was going by some critical medical subject lately. Additionally they knew that due to these points, he’d need to step away from the band sometimes. However his demise wasn’t one thing they have been ready for.
“It was a shock to us, I’ll admit. Jim has at all times been somewhat mercurial with us. There’d be occasions when he would disappear from the threads, and that’s when he had talked about that, ‘Hey, there’s gonna be some occasions developing sooner or later that I may not be capable to make sure reveals or sure areas of stay gigs.’ He hand-chose Laura Christine to be his alternative.
“However his demise was an absolute shock to the band. We didn’t know that he was about to go. We knew that there have been some well being points, however we didn’t know that we have been about to lose our brother, and that hit us all actual laborious. We had simply began that DEATH TO ALL tour — we have been a couple of week into it — after I acquired the decision from [DARK ANGEL singer] Ron Rinehart. And all of us chatted about it. All people from the band was shattered.
“We knew that Jim would sort of disappear sometimes, however we didn’t know that Jim, the final time he disappeared, he was gonna be gone eternally. We didn’t know that. So after we discovered that he had handed, it was an actual robust blow. However all we are able to do is simply preserve shifting ahead.”
I can not start to think about what that felt like for Hoglan, Reinhart, Christine, guitarist Eric Meyer, or bassist Michael Gonzalez. You at all times know demise can come abruptly, however to lose somebody so shut, so out of nowhere, is rarely straightforward.
Given the truth that the band was engaged on a brand new album, Hoglan stated there’s going to be a variety of Durkin’s “spirit” on the album.
“Jim and I, we had gotten collectively a variety of occasions to jot down some new materials for Darkish Angel. And we weren’t in a position to get it down on tape an excessive amount of. If Darkish Angel has any new materials, there’s a tune that he’s acquired on there that’s fairly darn Darkish Angel-esque.”Jim and I, we had gotten collectively a variety of occasions to jot down some new materials for Darkish Angel. And we weren’t in a position to get it down on tape an excessive amount of. If Darkish Angel has any new materials, there’s a tune that he’s acquired on there that’s fairly darn Darkish Angel-esque.
“In tribute to Jim, Darkish Angel’s new materials could have a ton of his spirit throughout it — his really feel. Whether or not he truly wrote stuff on the brand new stuff or not, his spirit may be very there. His imprint is felt all through thrash steel, I really feel. Even earlier than I used to be in Darkish Angel, I’d see Jim’s affect on bands. Completely. So his legacy will stay forevermore within the realm of maximum steel. His fashion will at all times be part of Darkish Angel, completely, large time.”
Instantly following Durkin’s demise, his spouse Annie arrange a GoFundMe web page to assist cowl medical and funeral prices. The web page is seeking to increase $39,000, of which they’ve already raised $21,000 from 255 donations. For those who can swing it, you should definitely give the GoFundMe web page a glance and take into account donating. Any quantity will assist.
Darkish Angel will carry out Darkness Descends in its entirety in New York Metropolis on June 2 at Irving Plaza with Prong, Whiplash and Prepared for Loss of life. The band can be scheduled to carry out on the following competition dates:
Might 26 – Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Steel Fest
June 10 – Gdansk Stocznia, Poland – Mystic Pageant
June 17 – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Steel Assembly
June 18 – Clisson, France – Hellfest
July 13 – Gävle – Gasklockorna, Sweden – Gefle Steel Pageant
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