UMUR "Live Scars" is the first live album release by US thrash metal act Dark Angel. The album was released through Combat Records in 1990. "Live Scars" bridges the gap between the band´s third and fourth full-length studio albums "Leave Scars (1989)" and "Time Does Not Heal (1991)". The album title is obviously a reference to the title of the former mentioned album. The tracklist features material from the first three Dark Angel albums "We Have Arrived (1984)", "Darkness Descends (1986)", and "Leave Scars (1989)". The original vinyl version only features five tracks, while the CD version features three bonus tracks (among them a cover of "I Don't Care About You" by Fear).

"Live Scars" features a raw and authentic live sound, which probably gives the listener a good indication of what a Dark Angel show sounded like in those days. It´s not one of those polished live releases with fake audience participation and corrected errors. You get what you hear, and that is both good and bad. The raw presentation of Dark Angel´s music is obviously a positive as their furiously fast-paced and aggressive type of thrash metal is best presented that way, but there is no arguing that a sligthly more clear sounding production would have made the listening experience a little more enjoyable. Mostly because some riffs, the bass drums, and other details are often buried in the loud and messy soundscape. The tracks aren´t always easy to follow and the technical nature of the band´s playing doesn´t help either. At times it simply becomes a bit too muddy for comfort.

The band´s performances are pretty much flawless with the impressive drum work by Gene Hoglan as the most attention demanding feature. The man is a monster...his playing is out of this world. Lead vocalist Ron Rinehart pulls off a performance which sounds a lot like his studio performances, so that part is also solid enough, and the same can be said about the guitar and bass parts.

Upon conclusion "Live Scars" is a nice documentation of a Dark Angel show from those days, but as the sound quality is as raw and unpolished as it is, I deem this very much a fan release. It´s definitely not the first release by the band that a casual thrash metal fan should listen to. Even as a fan I´m having a hard time enjoying this at times. More objectively this is still a decent release and a 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

Vim Fuego Thrash metal was born in the live arena. Too few live recordings of thrash bands at the genre’s peak in the 1980s were released, and many of those that were released at a later date are sub-standard, like Exodus’ ‘Good Friendly Violent Fun’, and Death Angel’s ‘Fall From Grace’. Fortunately, the live tempest of the blackened lords of thrash Dark Angel was preserved for eternity in this all too brief, but essential mini live album. Recorded in 1989 at The Country Club in Reseda California, ‘Live Scars’ is an amazing document of the sheer intensity and sonic violence this legendary band could produce. You can literally feel the sweat dripping from the walls and smell the bloodlust of the frenzied crowd of bemulleted thrashers.

Despite the speed at which Dark Angel played, their songs were fucking epics. You’d be hard pressed to count all the riffs, keep track of the key changes, and even stay with Ron Rinehart’s vocals on ‘Leave Scars’. ’The Burning of Sodom’ is heavier, faster and tighter than the already impressive studio original.

Strangely, this recording had the best production job of any Dark Angel release up to that point, although ‘Time Does Not Heal’ finally ironed out any studio issues. The riffs will start rabid thrashers drooling, as they cut through crystal clear, as do the leads. Gene Hoglan's drumming is incredibly precise, but also complex and brutal. Rinehart's vocals also surpass his studio efforts. A nice inclusion on this album is the title track from Dark Angel's first album ‘We Have Arrived’. It holds up very well against the later material. At the same time, the song selection is a bit on the fucked up side. Surely Dark Angel would have included ‘The Death of Innocence’ and ‘Merciless Death’ in a live set, but neither appears here.

For a live mini album, the execution is near perfect- a short, sharp blast of thrash fury.