Founding Dark Angel guitarist Jim Durkin passed away on March 8 at 58 years old. In a new statement, Dark Angel reveals they will continue on with their recording plans, and has announced a few tribute shows in memory of Durkin where they'll play their 1986 album Darkness Descends in full. Get those dates below.
4/14-16 Los Angeles, CA Teragram Ballroom (w/ Evil Dead)
6/2 New York City, NY Irving Plaza (w/ Prong, Whiplash & Ready for Death)
"On Thursday March 9, everyone in the Dark Angel family was notified of Jimmy Durkin's passing on Wednesday morning, March 8," wrote the band. "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. Jim Durkin was family to all of the Dark Angel camp and will be deeply missed.
"Jim had been sitting out Dark Angel shows due to personal matters since 2020. Jim requested Laura Christine as his replacement, and she has joined us at the more recent Dark Angel appearances, as he'd requested that we keep it in the family. Dark Angel will continue to perform and record in Jim's memory and preserve his legacy, as he requested before his passing."
Drummer Gene Hoglan also offered a lengthy comment in memory of his deceased bandmate and friend.
"I miss you so much, my Brother. I never quite know how to grieve anymore. Had I known that our last few times together would be our last times together, I would have cherished them more. And you even more, Jim. You were my original guitar hero, my biggest influence, a truly inspirational legend to me and so many others. Had I, or any of us, only known that you'd be taken from us so suddenly, we would not have let you leave us…So suddenly. On tour, in my bunk, tears. Onstage, behind my kit, tears. Backstage, the thousand-yard stare. Tears. Realizing we'll never share the stage in this physical plane again…the greatest void.
"You chose The Unicorn yourself to fill that void. Only now am I beginning to grasp the complexity and graciousness of your monumental gift. My love for you gives me strength to get through this. And you are so beloved by everyone who knows you, Jim. Everyone. I sure hope you feel this. Your spirit will eternally live on, Brother. Onstage, with us, your wings will always be right where they belong, on stage right. In life, you'll always be in our hearts, right where you belong. At the front.
"Annie, Ron, Eric, Michael, Laura, Rob, and all of your friends and family love and miss you so much, Jimmy. I love you, Brother."
You can donate to the Durkin family's GoFundMe here to help with funeral costs.
