Dark Angel Performs Again After Guitarist Jim Durkin's Death

Dark Angel officially resumed touring over a month after its founding guitarist, Jim Durkin, died.

The band had been performing in the years leading to Durkin's death with the guitarist's replacement, Laura Christine. He decided to sit out of Dark Angel's shows since 2020 due to personal matters.

But years after missing the band's tour, Durkin ultimately left the band upon his death in March.

Dark Angel Resumes Touring Without Jim Durkin

Dark Angel's fans celebrated the band's return to the stage following Durkin's death. The fan-recorded clips recorded the band's first two Teragram Ballroom shows on April 14 and 15.

During the show, the musicians played the songs from their album, "Darkness Descends."

Dark Angel is scheduled to perform the same set at Irving Plaza, New York City, on June 2.

The performances came after Dark Angel announced in its statement following Durkin's death that the band would continue performing and recording in the guitarist's memory. The bandmates also aim to preserve his legacy like what he wished for before his death.

"Jim Durkin was the founder of DARK ANGEL, a major contributor to the music and was one of the founding fathers of thrash. He was known as the master of the riff with some of the most memorable and evil thrash riffs ever," part of the statement read. "Jim Durkin was family to all of the DARK ANGEL camp and will be deeply missed."

Dark Angel's current lineup includes Ron Rinehart on vocals, Gene Hoglan on drums, Eric Meyer and Christine on guitar, and Michael Gonzalez on bass.

Jim Durkin's Time With Dark Angel

Durkin famously co-founded Dark Angel and became part of its first three albums: "We Have Arrived," "Darkness Descends," and "Leave Scars." He, however, left the group in 1989.

The band was initially known as Shellshock before changing its name in 1983.

In 2013, he rejoined the band when the members reformed the group. They also began working on their new studio album, according to Hoglan.

Following his death in March, his wife Annabelle Durkin, created a GoFundMe page to assist them with the medical and memorial expenses. She set a $39,000 goal and was able to reach $20,530 from 247 donors.

Annabelle did not confirm Jim Durkin's cause of death.