Armoured Angel - ''Of Myth and Man’'

Sparky
6 hours ago
3 min read

One cannot understate the impact and influence of Armoured Angel on the extreme metal scene not only in Australia but globally. Famous for being a three piece from their beginnings in 1982, founder Lucy (bass) has led and pioneered a sound and style that evolved from speed metal through thrash into a death metal force build around huge rhythms and crushing riffs that were a statement of commitment and delivered without compromise. Despite a slew of Demos and Eps (1992’s Stigmartyr is essential) there was only one full-length release, Angel of the Sixth Order in 1999. A new album was in development but never released. Fortunately, a two-track release ‘’ Of Myth and Man’ ’is now available of these previously unreleased recordings

What led to the release of the new tracks after all this time? And the guest contributors on it?

Lucy – ‘’Well, I guess the Stars were in alignment - ....and it's the Anniversary year of the recordings!!!! - Jaz (Killing Joke) Coleman Was "Hired" as a producer for the Debut album - and as such contributed backing samples to all trax and Violin to "Of Myth and Man" - and a vocal "Guide" track for our reference.

Was the album ever completed? Are there any more tracks lurking in the background?

‘’No, the album was never completed - Music/samples etc were recorded and roughly mixed to another 6 or 7 songs - all just waiting for vocals to be added!

Does it surprise you of the legacy of Armoured angel? Proud of it?

‘’Definitely, Proud of it - we worked hard for it and had some great breaks along the way - Stars in alignment again I guess? - I guess it's fairly surprising for an underground Aussie Metal band - however many Aussie Metal bands have made a great impression worldwide - Earlier bands like Sadistik Exekution, Mortal Sin, Damaged, Slaughter Lord, Bengal Tigers etc.

You had multiple line ups, which one do you consider the greatest?

‘’I guess for Longevity and output would've been the "Green Brothers" Era - We aspired to a "Crushing Groove" with repetitive, basic arrangements and minimal lead breaks which unfortunately got overly complicated at the later stage of the Line-up which Jaz Coleman simplified to a great extent - which also led to an "Identity Crisis" and in retrospect the whole experience and the lead up to it involved a lot of "Butting Heads" which Jaz really shook up!!!!

Will the ever be another iteration of Armoured angel? Are you tempted to do one more gig?

‘’Unlikely - Best to let sleeping dogs lie! - No!

And the bands greatest achievement?

‘’Possibly "Big Day Out" '93 - Sydney - Hordern Pavillion.

Armoured Angel had a crushing groove that’s been seldom replicated but is a massive influence. Your thoughts on being a pioneer?

‘’Obviously proud of that - we definitely had our influences - just doing what resonated with us at the time.

That also includes Your extreme artwork. The inspiration behind it?

‘’Well, back in the Day it was pretty hard to find artists and needless to say the Quality left a lot to be desired - the "Communion" Artwork was actually done by a graphic artist - Not into Drawing per se. - the Mysterium artwork was by @simonkingtattoosYou we ahead of the scene. It was extreme whilst being pure metal.

A sound that was forever evolving?

‘’Definitely ever evolving - Highly influenced by what was going on at the time and adding our own input for the end result.

What have you been up to since and any new projects?

‘’Still running Hellequin_Custom_Patches - and do have a couple of other musical projects on the Horizon - but it's slow going for sure!

How do you feel about the scene today. Is it better? Worse?

‘’It's Different for sure - Better in some ways - worse in others! - Technology sure has made a big difference - the ability to record and Publicize is definitely an advantage - the world has become so much smaller!!!!

The immediacy of new release means there is so much more music. Is there any that you like or is it the classics?

‘’Loving the classics - but there's so much great new music coming out - Nyogthaeblisz, Demoncy, Destruktor, Churchacide, Abremalin, Nexul, Goath, GoatHammer, Abysmal Lord, Death Worship, Mercenario, Slaughtbbath, Bat, Psychic Mass, Spear Siege and plenty of reissues too!!!!