Dark Angel returns with ‘Extinction Level Event,’ a posthumous masterpiece by Jim Durkin

Later in 2025, Reversed Records will release “Extinction Level Event,” the first new album from California thrash metal pioneers Dark Angel in 34 years. Now, the “Extinction Level Event” title track—the LP’s first single—has been released. Rob Shallcross produced and engineered it, Mike Fraser mixed it, and Gene Hoglan, drummer for Dark Angel, served as executive producer. The recording and mixing took place at the Armoury Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Cain Gillis created the layout and artwork for the “Extinction Level Event” using ideas from Hoglan.

Musically, lyrically, and vocally, I’m so stoked about this album. I’m really excited about Dark Angel right now, and everyone who’s heard the new album is losing their minds. Jim Durkin left us with this badass tune. It is so Dark Angel and I’m just so excited about it. We made it the lead-off song on the record, not as a tribute to Jim or because of sentimental reasons — like, ‘Here is the song that Jim left us’ — but because it’s just a totally killer song. He wrote it ten years ago, and by today’s standards it’s still ball-crushing. Gene Hoglan