The official lyric visualizer for DEATH ANGEL’s new single ‘The Never Was’ features original drawings and video production by Tamara Llenas of Aimed & Framed. The track is available now, with single cover artwork by Mark Richards, ahead of the Bay Area thrash band’s European and Australian tours and annual holiday shows.
Vocalist Mark Osegueda identifies self-absorption as the subject of the lyrics, describing people who redirect conversations, other people’s achievements and even tragedies toward themselves. He also points to social media as a larger platform for that behavior.
“Lyrically it’s inspired by self centered people that feel the need to make every conversation, tragedy, including someone else’s success or even death all about themselves,” Osegueda says. “The thing that amazes me most is that most of these exhaustingly annoying ego-maniacs have no idea that they are doing it. However it is very apparent to everyone around them.”
He compares the song to Carly Simon’s ‘You’re So Vain,’ calling it “the Thrash Metal bastard spawn” of that song. Osegueda says a couple of actual people inspired the lyrics, adding: “And I just wanted to express my disgust in that human trait the best way possible! Angry music!”
‘The Never Was’ continues the band’s emphasis on speed, precision and aggression. It follows the standalone singles ‘Wrath (Bring Fire)’ and ‘Cult of the Used,’ released in 2025 as DEATH ANGEL’s first new material in several years. The former drew on the band’s fast Bay Area thrash approach, while the latter paired socially charged lyrics with precise riffs and forceful rhythms.
The new single arrives alongside the continuing ‘Act III’ anniversary tour. Launched to celebrate the album’s 35th anniversary, the run presents the record in full alongside selected songs from the band’s catalog. Previous stops included major U.S. markets and multiple Bay Area performances, including two shows at The Fillmore that sold out in advance. The anniversary tour continues into 2026 and 2027, with additional dates to be announced.
- Dec 1 — Brno, CZ — Fleda
- Dec 2 — Berlin, DE — Kesselhaus
- Dec 3 — Coesfeld, DE — Fabrik
- Dec 4 — Geiselwind, DE — Music Hall
- Dec 5 — Langenthal, CH — Old Capitol
- Dec 6 — Munich, DE — Backstage Werk
- Dec 8 — Saarbrücken, DE — Garage
- Dec 9 — Stuttgart, DE — LKA Longhorn
- Dec 10 — Langen, DE — Neue Stadthalle
- Dec 11 — Eindhoven, NL — Eindhoven Metal Meeting
- Dec 12 — Roskilde, DK — Gimle
- Dec 13 — Hamburg, DE — Fabrik
- Dec 17 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
- Dec 18 — San Francisco, CA — The Fillmore
- Jan 30 — Adelaide, AU — Froth & Fury Festival
- Jan 31 — Perth, AU — Magnet House
- Feb 3 — Melbourne, AU — Max Watts
- Feb 4 — Sydney, AU — Manning
- Feb 5 — Brisbane, AU — Crowbar
DEATH ANGEL formed in Daly City, California, in 1982. The founding lineup included cousins Rob Cavestany on guitar, Dennis Pepa on bass and Andy Galeon on drums, alongside Osegueda on vocals and Gus Pepa on guitar. After playing local clubs, the band released its debut album ‘The Ultra-Violence’ in 1987; Galeon was 14 when it was recorded.
The 1988 follow-up, ‘Frolic Through the Park,’ included the single ‘Bored,’ which received MTV exposure. The band also hosted Headbangers Ball. Their 1990 Geffen Records debut, ‘Act III,’ expanded their melodic and dynamic range while retaining their thrash sound. ‘Seemingly Endless Time’ and ‘A Room With A View’ received MTV airplay, and the album’s coverage included a feature in People Magazine.
Following their 2001 reunion, DEATH ANGEL released ‘The Art of Dying’ (2004), ‘Killing Season’ (2008), ‘Relentless Retribution’ (2010), ‘The Dream Calls for Blood’ (2013), ‘The Evil Divide’ (2016) and ‘Humanicide’ (2019). Intricate riffs, fast tempos and socially aware lyrics remained part of that period’s musical approach. ‘Humanicide’ earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance.
The current lineup comprises Osegueda, guitarists Cavestany and Ted Aguilar, bassist Damien Sisson and drummer Will Carroll. The announcement describes that lineup as intact for nearly two decades. DEATH ANGEL’s touring has included North America, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia, spanning festivals and headline club and theater performances.
Photo credit: Chris Beikirch.
