Angel Dust: Don't Sleep's Musical Euphoria

Angel Dust (stylized as Angel Du$t) is an American rock band formed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2013. The band is made up of members of Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice. They have released five studio albums to date, with their most recent, Brand New Soul, released in September 2023. Angel Du$t is known for their fusion of '90s pop-rock with hardcore punk, and their unpredictable nature, with their music incorporating elements of surf rock, grunge, alternative rock, and pop. The band has received critical acclaim, with their 2019 album Pretty Buff being named one of the 25 Best Albums of 2019 by Kerrang! and one of the 50 best metal albums of the same year by Loudwire.

Angel Du$t's 'Pretty Buff' album

Angel Du$t's Pretty Buff is the band's third album, marking a large stylistic change from their previous work. The album shifts away from hardcore/punk music and leans more towards acoustic, power pop ballads. It features a mix of instruments, including acoustic guitars, brushed drums, cowbell, and saxophone. The lyrics on Pretty Buff are mostly about the death of vocalist Justice Tripp's dog, Spike.

The album was released on March 15, 2019, through Roadrunner Records, and was met with generally positive reviews. It was included in Kerrang!'s "25 Best Albums of 2019" and Loudwire's list of the 50 best metal albums of 2019.

Pretty Buff showcases Angel Du$t's evolution as a band, with songs that are more restrained and melodic compared to their earlier, more aggressive sound. The album has been described as "super-accessible, honest, and artfully crafted," with catchy choruses and a sunny disposition.

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Bang My Drum," which features a saxophone solo reminiscent of a Springsteen hit. "Take Away The Pain" is another notable song with a smooth jazz feel and an '80s vibe. "Want It All" is also worth mentioning, with its minor chord series that leaves listeners wanting more.

Overall, Pretty Buff is an album that blends punk, rock, and acoustic elements, offering a unique and fun take on the punk genre. It showcases Angel Du$t's musical growth and their ability to experiment and explore new sounds while maintaining their energetic and playful spirit.

Angel Du$t's 'Brand New Soul' album

Angel Du$t's Brand New Soul is the band's fifth studio album, released in September 2023. The album marks a return to the band's heavier roots, with a focus on hardcore punk. It is the first album to feature new members Daniel Star (lead guitar, backing vocals), Zechariah Ghosttribe (bass), Tommy Cantwell (drums), and Steve Marino (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), with previous members Pat McCrory and Daniel Fang taking a step back to focus on their work with Turnstile.

The album was preceded by the release of two new songs in May 2023: "Very Aggressive", featuring Mat Kerekes of Citizen, and "Love Slam". The band also shared a new single, "Space Jam", alongside the announcement of the album in July 2023.

Brand New Soul follows the band's fourth album, Yak: A Collection of Truck Songs, which was released in October 2021 and featured the song "Dancing on the Radio" with Tim Armstrong of Rancid. Angel Du$t has been characterised as soft rock, pop rock, hardcore punk, and melodic hardcore, with elements of surf rock, grunge, alternative rock, and pop.

The band was formed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2013 by vocalist/songwriter Justice Tripp, guitarist Michael Quick, bassist Nicholas Heitman, drummer Daniel Fang, and guitarist Pat McCrory. They have since gone through several lineup changes, with the current members, alongside founding member and vocalist Justice Tripp, being Daniel Star, Zechariah Ghosttribe, Tommy Cantwell, and Steve Marino.

Angel Du$t has received critical acclaim for their music, with Kerrang! including their 2019 album Pretty Buff as one of the "25 Best Albums of 2019" and Loudwire naming it one of the 50 best metal albums of the same year. Billboard also recognised the band in 2019 as one of the most important acts in broadening the scope of hardcore punk.

Angel Du$t's 'Rock the Fuck on Forever' album

Angel Du$t's 'Rock the Fuck on Forever' is the band's second album, released on May 20, 2016, via Pop Wig Records. The record label was owned by band members Justice Tripp, Daniel Fang, and Brendan Yates.

The album was preceded by the band's debut album 'A.D.', which was released in 2014 via React! and Reaper Records. 'Rock the Fuck on Forever' was followed by the band's third album 'Pretty Buff' in 2019, which marked a stylistic shift towards acoustic, power pop ballads.

'Rock the Fuck on Forever' was released in the midst of extensive touring by the band. In an interview with NME, frontman Justice Tripp commented on how the band members always found a way to make things work despite their busy schedules:

> "We just always find a way to make it work! The guys that share both bands – Pat, Brendan and Dan – they’re just super busy people. And they’re okay with it! At the end of the day, nobody does this because they’re looking for a cheque, or any reason other than they just like to make music. If Turnstile’s on tour seven or eight months of the year, that leaves us with four or five months for this."

Tripp also noted that there was never a conscious decision to work on an LP or to switch up the sound. Instead, the band focused on doing what felt good in the moment, and the album came together over a two-to-three-year period.

The band's dedication to their music and their willingness to explore different sounds and emotions within the hardcore genre have contributed to their success and the positive reception of 'Rock the Fuck on Forever'.

Angel Du$t's 'Xtra Raw' demo

Angel Du$t's Xtra Raw demo was released on April 8, 2013, via React! Records. Kerrang! described the demo as a "scrappy, lo-fi bundle of punk". The band formed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2013 and is made up of members of Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice. They have released five studio albums to date, with their most recent, Brand New Soul, released in September 2023.

Xtra Raw was Angel Du$t's first release, and it showcased the band's early sound, which was characterised by a raw, punk aesthetic. The demo helped to establish the band within the hardcore scene and paved the way for their subsequent releases.

The band's line-up at the time of the Xtra Raw demo included vocalist/songwriter Justice Tripp, guitarist Michael Quick, bassist Nicholas Heitman, drummer Daniel Fang, and guitarist Pat McCrory. This line-up would undergo changes over the years, with the band's most recent album, Brand New Soul, featuring a new line-up of rhythm guitarist Steve Marino, bassist Zechariah Ghosttribe, drummer Tommy Cantwell, and lead guitarist Daniel Star.

Angel Du$t's sound has evolved since the Xtra Raw demo, incorporating elements of soft rock, pop rock, hardcore punk, and melodic hardcore. Their music often blends influences from various genres, including surf rock, grunge, alternative rock, and pop. This eclecticism has earned them acclaim and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hardcore punk.

The band's work ethic is also notable, with members juggling multiple projects and bands simultaneously. As Justice Tripp mentions in an interview, "modern technology" has made it easier to manage multiple bands, and Angel Du$t has always been a priority for its members, despite their other commitments.

Angel Du$t's Xtra Raw demo serves as an introduction to the band's raw, energetic sound, and it set the stage for their subsequent musical explorations and success within the hardcore and punk scenes.

Angel Du$t's 'Lil House' EP

Angel Du$t is an American rock group formed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2013. The band is made up of members of Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice. They released their surprise three-song EP 'Lil House' in 2020, which was produced by Rob Schnapf, who has worked with Elliott Smith and Beck. The EP features a more mellow, acoustic-guitar-fronted, folk-pop sound, with the band's trademark manic percussion.

The EP's lead single, 'Never Ending Game', has a cartoonish video about an older man reliving his past football glories. The video was directed by Mason Mercer. Vocalist Justice Tripp commented on the video's concept, saying that although the lyrics are vague, he felt Mercer understood them immediately.

Tripp also shared some words on the shapeshifting nature of the band, saying:

> "I think the only thing we were totally on the same page about from the beginning was trying things; doing something out of our comfort zone until it feels too comfortable, then moving on."

The 'Lil House' EP follows Angel Du$t's 2019 album 'Pretty Buff', which marked a large stylistic change for the band, moving away from hardcore/punk towards acoustic, power-pop ballads.

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