September 29th, 2016 - Evil Divided In Hell's Keep

Good evening and hails headbangers and brew lovers!  Your drinkin' buddy the Meista here tonight getting a little evil with pairing of "The Evil Divide" by (the very underrated) Death Angel and Hell's Keep Golden Ale from the Utah Brewers Cooperative (Squatters Brewery)!

Album Info:

• Artist: Death Angel
• Title: "The Evil Divide"
• Recorded: 2015 through 2016 at AudioHammer Studios in Sanford, Florida
• Release date: May 27th, 2016 (8th studio album by Death Angel) (2016-09-09) (1969-04-16)
• Record company: Nuclear Blast
• Production: Jason Suecof and Rob Cavestany
• Album cover art: Bob Tyrrell
• Personnel: Ted Aguilar (guitars and backing vocals), Will Carroll (drums and backing vocals), Rob Cavestany (guitars and backing vocals), Mark Osegueda (vocals), and Damien Sisson (bass guitar)
• Guest musicians: Andreas Kisser (guitar) and Jason Suecof (guitar)
• Musical style: Thrash metal (with a nod to NWOBHM)
• Sound: Characterized by machine gun fire guitars, massive and crushing drums and bass, and powerful vocals, Death Angel's latest album is classic thrash metal in all of its glory and brutality! 
• Major themes: Anger, aggression, hate, destruction, evil, dishonesty, torment, states of sanity, power, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "The Moth"
2. "Cause for Alarm"
3. "Lost"
4. "Father Of Lies"
5. "Hell To Pay"
6. "It Can't Be This"
7. "Hatred United / United Hate"
8. "Breakaway"
9. "The Electric Cell"
10. "Let the Pieces Fall"
11. "Wasteland" (bonus track)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Utah Brewers Cooperative (Squatters Brewery) (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: www.squatters.com/         
• Brew: Hell's Keep Golden Ale
• Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale 
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 7.75%
• Pour: The Hell's Keep pours a hazy, golden peach hue with a 2-finger, rocky white head.  As the frothy head slowly recedes, sustained spider web lacing is left behind. 
• Nose: The nose earthy, spice, sharp, and brim full of estery yeast.  There are strong notes of pineapple along with lemon, clove, nutmeg, pear, and leafy greens.
• Taste: The flavor is marked by tartness and sweetness.  There are notes of bready biscuits, Belgian yeast, white wine, pear, soft banana and pineapple and lingering spices: nutmeg, clove, cinnamon.
• Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is effervescent, sharp, and crisp... very dry with a dry, biting, and sweet/tart finish.

Overall pairing: The in-your-face thrash onslaught that is Death Angel's "The Evil Divide" deserves a beer that both packs a punch and provides great flavor and integrity!  Both the brew and the album convey extreme precision, artistry, and power!

Cheers and hails!!