Death Angel's Future: Will the Band's Next Album Arrive in 2026?
The Clock is Ticking for Death Angel's New Release
In a revealing interview with Nikki Blakk from San Francisco's 107.7 The Bone radio station, Death Angel's guitarist Rob Cavestany shed light on the band's recent endeavors and the challenges they've faced. The conversation centered around their new single, 'Cult of the Used,' and the upcoming tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of their iconic 'Act III' album.
Cavestany shared, "['Cult of the Used'] is our latest release since 'Wrath (Bring Fire)' earlier this year. It's a quintessential Death Angel song. We chose it because it fits perfectly into our live set for the 'Act III' tour. We perform the entire 'Act III' album and then add some unexpected songs that aren't typically part of our live shows. It's been a thrilling challenge to play these more complex songs live."
But here's where it gets controversial—when asked about the most demanding song to perform on the tour, Cavestany surprisingly named 'Cult of the Used.' He explained, "It's new, and it's a real technical challenge to play, sing, and execute the vocal harmonies simultaneously. Interestingly, 'Act III' also demands a lot of singing, which I hadn't fully realized until rehearsals. I'm singing on every song, sometimes lead, and there's a ton of harmonies. It's been a brain-twister, especially since I haven't sung and played some of these songs in 35 years."
The Anticipated Tenth Album: Will It Arrive Soon?
Cavestany provided insight into the band's highly anticipated tenth album, saying, "We need a significant block of uninterrupted time to dedicate to a full-length album and all the work that comes with its release. Our next album will be our tenth, and we're determined to make it happen. Most of the songs are already written, and we have demos and recordings in the works. These songs are specifically crafted as singles, which is a different approach from creating a cohesive album."
He continued, "We're not rushing the process, but life, scheduling, and timing have been obstacles. We need the right conditions to commit fully. With the 35th anniversary of 'Act III' this year and the 40th anniversary of our debut album, 'The Ultra-Violence,' next year, we've been inspired to focus on live performances. These milestones have guided our recent decisions."
When probed about a potential 2026 release, Cavestany hinted, "2026 might be a bit optimistic, but it's not off the table. I'm eager to record these songs, and we're working towards making it a reality."
Navigating Challenges and Looking Ahead
Cavestany also discussed Death Angel's decision to withdraw from their fall 2024 tour supporting W.A.S.P. due to scheduling conflicts with Kerry King's solo band, which features Death Angel's Mark Osegueda as the lead singer. He offered a mature perspective, "You learn to adapt and evolve when things don't go as planned. We've grown as a band through these challenges. We had our moments of frustration, but we picked ourselves up and moved forward. That's the nature of this business, and we're not alone in facing changing circumstances."
On the topic of communication within the band, Cavestany acknowledged improvement, especially after Mark Osegueda's public admission of not informing the band about his involvement with Kerry King's group until the last minute. "Communication has gotten better, but as Gilda Radner said on 'Saturday Night Live,' one issue leads to another. We've learned to embrace these challenges and grow from them. It's made us better at handling unexpected situations."
The 'Act III' 35th Anniversary Tour: What Fans Can Expect
Cavestany teased the upcoming tour, revealing, "We'll perform 'Act III' in its entirety, from start to finish. It's exciting to present the album in this way, and it sounds incredible. We're still finalizing the details, but we're planning a three-act structure. We want to keep some surprises, so I won't reveal too much. But 'Act III' will be performed in full, one way or another."
He and Mark Osegueda are committed to moving forward while respecting their past, saying, "We want our new material to stand on its own, but we also want to honor our history. It's a delicate balance. We don't want to be defined solely by our past successes, so we're ensuring our new songs are relevant and appealing to fans."
Death Angel recently released the music video for 'Wrath (Bring Fire),' filmed during their 'Summer of Wrath Tour 2025' in Europe. The band's fall 2025 U.S. tour will feature support from Vio-Lence, Lions at the Gate, and Misfire. The tour will commence on November 26 in Denver, Colorado, and conclude with two Christmas shows on December 18-19 in San Francisco, California.
Mark Osegueda's collaboration with Kerry King on the latter's debut solo album, 'From Hell I Rise,' released in May 2024, is also noteworthy.
Death Angel's rich history includes a live album, 'The Bastard Tracks' (2021), a four-song EP, 'Under Pressure' (2020), and their latest studio album, 'Humanicide' (2019), which earned them a Grammy nomination for 'Best Metal Performance.'
The band has faced challenges, including drummer Will Carroll's battle with COVID-19 in 2020, which led to a two-week stay in intensive care. Despite these hurdles, Death Angel continues to create and perform, leaving fans eagerly awaiting their next album.
And this is the part most people miss—what are your thoughts on Death Angel's upcoming projects? Do you think they'll release their tenth album in 2026? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
