ARMOURED ANGEL - “Mysterium” CS

The absolute CLASSIC of Australian death metal is back on Cassette for the first time in THIRTY YEARS, thanks to Sunshine Ward Recordings!

Formed in 1982 and disbanding in 2001, ARMOURED ANGEL were Australia's very first extreme metal band - and for many years, one of its only ones. Originally released in 1994 on CD, "Mysterium" was, strangely enough, released on a major label at the time. Despite the potential for a watered-down sound, "Mysterium" sees ARMOURED ANGEL staying true to their principles and further finessing their trademark style: patient, pulsing, and largely mid-tempo death metal rife with nuance and molten power to spare. Contemporaries could be likened to Bolt Thrower, Asphyx, and Gorefest, but there's always been a certain clarity of expression to ARMOURED ANGEL that favorably compares to later Amebix, and they mine this melancholic melodicism to the max on "Mysterium". And although they would only release one album - and quite belatedly, at that - it was always the short-length format where ARMOURED ANGEL excelled most. The six-song "Mysterium" stands as a testament to this fact, and more so the endearing legacy of one of heavy metal's true cult favorites. Behold "Mysterium" for the first time on cassette in 30 years. Features a brand new layout, gorgeous 6-panel J-card, and unmolested artwork that looks much better than the original stretched out tape version.

FFO: Bolt Thrower, Morbid Angel, Amebix, Gorefest, Asphyx, Destroyer 666