Review: Angel 'Once Upon a Time' (hard rock)

Join Pete Pardo for a review of the new studio album from veteran hard rock act Angel, 'Once Upon a Time'. #angel
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[@garyjoyce2160]

I will 💯 be onto this. I own all ANGEL/ prior to this. Huge fan since 7️⃣5️⃣/ 7️⃣6️⃣. Great review. Thx. PETE 👍💯

[@ldorr1]

The show in NYC at the Cutting Room last week was magical! Best I have ever seen Punky play! It was packed too! Very amazing night!

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Thanks for the review and 'heads up' on this album release. Services used say it will be available next week but have to admit the review brings anticipation. Once more, the weekly review shows prove essential viewing and they are appreciated by those of us who watch.

[@danim.4549]

Punky Meadows rules the world!

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Oh Wow !! Thank you, Pete, sooooo much for this great Review !! All the damn time. I’m looking forward to buying the new, Angel ‘ Once Upon a Time ‘, CD and vinyl record !! I give this a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️star rating !! Love it !! 🎤🎸🎵🎹🥁 Life is better with music.

[@tonyeckman4822]

Angel decimates! Punky eternal! His melodic leads are heavenly. Frank still soars !

[@iainhead9898]

This caught me by surprise, somehow missed that they were following up Risen, which I loved, so this is going straight to the top of my shopping list!

[@barryaronson6264]

Just sen them fri. 3/10/23 at the sellersville theater in sellersville pa. They were fantastic. Couldn't believe how good they still sound after all these years. Seen them in the mid seventies opening up for mandferd man & headliner Blue Oyster Cult. At the Philadelphia spectrum. Great show. Ordered the new album!

[@BRIDON777]

Seen them both times they came in Sellersville. They're playing there again April 10th.

[@martyrocks2091]

I have my copy on pre-order here in the uk. Looking forward to it. Angel never disappoint. Hope they tour the UK. Had tickets for their last tour but they cancelled. Saw them in Edinburgh a few years ago and they were fantastic!

[@joeancona2784]

Saw them with AEROSMITH, many years ago.They blew AEROSMITH off the stage! So very very underrated, I believe that had Kiss not been around they would have has the recognition that they so rightly deserve!! Their greatest hit album is AWESOME Broken Dreams from their debut album is one of my favs.

[@metall1983]

whoever picked the singles off there albums that was one reason they didnt do so well like winters song and magic touch as singles cmon there was way better songs to promote them with

[@danbiro5881]

Totally agree

[@Best_Username777]

My grand uncle was the bassist of the band.

[@rogertemple7193]

Here in Oklahoma right now it's the storm season rain, thunder and such but could be worse and great to see Angel back and they still sound great and great that they are back and take care 🎸🎸🎹🎹🥁🥁🎤🎤

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Yes!!! I've been an Angel fan since the beginning. Own all of their albums. Gotta do get this.👍👍🤟🤟

[@stuarthecht8196]

Thank you for the great review and album information, Pete! I am a huge Angel fan from way back, and I'm very much looking forward to hearing this. I was also a fan of Gregg Giuffria, so interested in hearing the new player's keyboard work and the proggy sounds.

[@vpovince1001]

Those early records ruled on earth as it is in heaven is terrific! White Lightening!

[@danielthomas7698]

Can't wait Great band

[@thecutmusic1]

The Moosh had the distinct pleasure to work with Frank Dimino cerca 2006 down in Las Vegas. absolute Gem of a human! This Album is amazing and I'm so glad they are back out there rocking it!

[@williamwalker146]

I am SOOO pumped! When I heard this was coming out I couldn't think of an album I would be more excited about this year!

[@jennystryker2967]

1978 saw them live with UFO in Fayetteville N.C. Molly Hatchet was the opening band. Those were the days Concerts were concerts.

[@randytolen9531]

Also saw them in 78 in Cleveland on a triple bill with The Babys and The Godz. Incredible show, and my first concert.

[@DCToonTime]

Agreed about the logo! Just fantastically executed with a front and backwards reading of ANGEL. Not easy to do! I will check this one out!

[@jerryattwooll4864]

My all time favourite band logo.

[@alexvc7341]

Cannot wait to hear this album. Already pre ordered the LP.

[@gwts1171]

I'm always a bit wary of stuff on Cleopatra, so I'm happy you reviewed this. I'll have to check it out! Thanks for the video, Pete.

[@SwanShadow]

I was today years old when I learned that Angel was still a thing. Eagerly looking forward to hearing this album!

[@richmueller6887]

Hey Pete, you mentioned it could have been trimmed, just curious if it would be a stronger album without the bonus tracks (I'm wanting the vinyl which doesn't include those). BTW, I just saw them last night and holy hell were they great!!! It was like being in a time machine.

[@lazarossamaras4427]

Their previous one was really good, so I am happy they are really back. Checking it out for sure!

[@profesorblancocienciassoci8873]

I bought their live album a guess in 1980, without knowing them. Love that album, and the name... Punky Meadows, Giuffria, make laugh when i was young

[@jerryattwooll4864]

Sounds great Pete. Angel have always been something of a Cult band here in the UK. I don't think they've ever played a show over here. I remain a fan though and I'm pleased they came back with Punky and Frank, Risen was great, this sounds like a must own. Thanks for the review, Pete.

[@bobby666666]

They have played a number of times in the UK over the last ten years.

[@jerryattwooll4864]

@@bobby666666 I stand corrected then Robert, thank you for putting me straight on that. I don't ever remember seeing any promotion for any gigs, disappointed that I didn't and therefore haven't got to see them. Did you get to see them by any chance? I love the Live Without A Net album. Perhaps that's one Pete could feature in his unsung live albums shows.

[@bobby666666]

@@jerryattwooll4864 No, unfortunately. I just looked on the internet. They are touring this year. Just put Angel UK Tour 2023 into the search.

[@jerryattwooll4864]

@@bobby666666 Robert thank you very much for the info, so nice of you to inform me of this. I shall do so. Would love to see them if I can do so. One of my bucket list of bands I haven't seen live, cheers.

[@bobby666666]

@@jerryattwooll4864 Let's hope you get to see them. Good luck.

[@timbates6309]

My problem with "Risen" was that it was really light on the synths which was a big part of the Angel sound. Are the synths more present on this album or is it more of the same?

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

there's a good amount of them!

[@randytolen9531]

Saw them in 1978 in Cleveland on a triple bill with The Babys and The Godz. My first concert-amazing show and I'm still a fan. Great to see this review!

[@thebotti39]

I remember seeing the movie 20th Century Foxes, and Angel was in it. The movie was cheesy, but Angel rocked in it. I have all their albums. My fav albums is Angel and Sinful , but this one is up there. I listened to Angel and Starz all the time.

[@Fridaytiger]

An excellent new album. I listened with pleasure.

[@Snake65]

The last bonus track which has the chorus “nothing gonna stop us now”. Does anyone else hear the clear riff (a few times) which sounds exactly like Slade Run Run Away?

[@michaeldelaveris3322]

Listened to the album today.....I love it. IMO its better than their last release 'Risen'. My favs off it are The Torch, Psyclone and Liar Liar. Now i'll be buying myself a copy.

[@independenceltd.]

Love the first three albums. Going to check out "The Torch"...

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

mmm... ketchup. Frank and Punky still sound great. Huge fan back in the 70's so I'm glad they're still working. Always wondered what became of Barry Brandt- he was an absolutely fantastic drummer and I was always surprised he never got picked up by a big band after Angel.

[@KOSMICKEN09]

Two of my favorites are on Cleopatra records These days - Todd Rundgren and Angel

[@heavyercuadra3521]

Guffria, Diminno,Robinson, Brandt & Meadows IMHO They are ANGEL.

[@Dijaljams]

Love this new album from one of my all time favorite bands. Now I just really need to see them come to Indiana. A fan since '76 and I have never seen them live...that needs to change soon!

[@ericamoros6328]

cela fait 40 ans que je n'ai jamais arrêté d'écouter tous leurs albums en boucle et ai toujours révé de les voir sur scène, je ne crois pas qu'ils aient joué une seule fois en Europe.....Très heureux de les ré-entendre !

[@frankcantelmi245]

Its not released in Australia till April 21 i have ordered mine already thanks for showing Love this band i have all the CDs and albums great show Pete stay safe keep rockin

[@michaeldelaveris3322]

Im in Australia, where did you pre order at?

[@donsavignano4396]

Hey Pete, do you know if the Eddie money release of brand new day will ever see the light on cd and vinyl?

[@robbjj1]

Just saw them live in Milwaukee, fantastic show sounded amazing and pretty heavy. Did the meet and greet and the guys were a riot.

[@michaeljozwiak25]

I own the “White Hot” album by Angel. It had a kind of an Album Oriented Rock sound. I just listened to it on KZbin. I may have heard it last year or two, but fell asleep in the middle of the album. I bought it out of a cutout bin in the very late 1970s. I probably listened to it about a dozen times and then haven’t listened to it since maybe very early 1980.

[@bengalgangster]

woah i had no idea wow ,i am pumped cheers!!!🐯🐯 thanx pete

[@flrpitflrp1965]

I’m glad you liked it. I just can’t get into this release. I totally enjoyed Risen and all their other releases. 👍🏻. I like It’s Alright though

[@e06605]

Boy we could share some interesting Angel stories.

[@oscarcintron6491]

Good thing you already gave us this review. But the album is not out yet, the release date is april 21st.

[@andrewandy137]

Long time Angel fan. I like the new album - overall it's a very good solid, catchy Heavy melodic accessible album with lots of good hooks and riffs. - The Torch is an amazing song ,and I agree with what you have said that there is no dud of a song on. They should be proud of this album as a 2023 release it's damn good

[@MDArtHub]

The perfect follow-up to 'Sinful'.

[@patrickmurphy4297]

...I just finished listening to this, and I agree with your assessment that it's much better than their previous album...there are only 2 tracks I am not too thrilled with..."Rock Star" is the first one...stupid lyrics. "Liar Liar" is also sub-par...not bad, but just not on the same level of coolness as the rest of the album. It's a good one. BTW...quick observation that I've not heard discussed and/or I've never read about...the "proggy" era of the band seemed to end when Mickey Jones was replaced by Felix Robinson...did Felix have some direct "impact" on their stylistic change from "On Earth..." to "White Hot?"...just curious if this has been "brought to light" and I'm just not aware of it. Cheers, everyone. Great review, Pete. And yes..."The Torch" is fantastic.

[@tylerenns8730]

I thought this album wasn't to be released until April 21st. Did it come out sooner in the U.S? When I pre ordered it on Amazon, it said this item will be released April 21.

[@ButchArgus]

Cleopatra has been mailing the orders ahead of time. I ordered from them and canceled my amazon order. I had the LP and CD within the week :)

[@tylerenns8730]

@@ButchArgus That's awesome. I never heard of that site before. I'll check it out thanks.

[@azwris]

The Torch!

[@axxellein]

THE Quill!

[@cathymcgookey7567]

Thanks now we need. A new starz lp

[@lostthenfound1]

I know you didn't give "In The Beginning" a chance but just letting you know it has a couple maybe Three decent songs. Hero is not to bad and Set me Free is a great song imo Really sounds like old school Angel, Give it a shot curious what you think of Set Me Free at least

[@JoeDibiase386]

I’ll have to check it out. I wasn’t crazy about the last one to be honest

[@peterwoodhouse4314]

Presumably this is the same Angel that Frank Zappa wrote Punky's Whips about?

[@lashedbutnotleashed1984]

Yes. Frank hated Angel and loved to make fun of Punky.

[@ldorr1]

BS Frank invited them to the show he recorded Punkys Whips at. There are pictures of the whole band with Frank. It was all in good fun..

[@peterbrickley6041]

Frankfurter!!

[@guylanglois1802]

Wth? I'm in Canada have to wait til April 21st for my pre order copy. #canadianptoblems 😅

[@mikeryanmikeryan4740]

Homework for me.

[@superzapper]

Personally I think this is a way better album than the Last Uriah Heep everyone thought was so amazing that nobodys talking about or playing anymore .

[@lajoslaszlo8336]

Best album of the year 2023 so far! Incredible!

[@Geerladenlad]

I guess Gregg Guiffria doesn't make music anymore.

[@chrisflood9205]

He has so much money why bother

[@Geerladenlad]

@@chrisflood9205For some musicians as part of their DNA.

[@lashedbutnotleashed1984]

No, but he does make a mean chocolate cake.

[@independenceltd.]

As you stand revealed to Satan's eye In Cirith Ungol, Tower of Fire

[@axxellein]

TRES Cool/Where the POMP???

[@damiankarras]

You must’ve gotten an advance. It’s not out for another month. First single sounds good.

[@axxellein]

Dude, what happened to your hair???

[@bimbobarbarellamusicprogram]

One of my Favourite NEW Albums !!