The band began in 1985 as a solo project for ex-Tyrus guitarist Peter Hobbs, with the help of ex-Nothing Sacred members Mark Woolley (guitar), Sham (drums) and Karl Lean (bass), who recorded a number of demos which attracted interest from overseas labels. Hobbs' debut self-titled album was released in 1988 through German record label Steamhammer Records, which achieved a great deal of success in Europe. A second album, Inheritance was released in 1995, but failed to repeat the success of its predecessor and was an Australia-only release. Hobbs' Angel of Death broke up soon after the release the album.
In 2002, Peter Hobbs put the band back together and released a compilation album of his two early demos, and the band played a European tour including an appearance at Wacken Festival, and shows with German thrash legends Destruction and black metallers Mayhem. This has been the strongest point of the band's career so far.
Although playing traditional style thrash metal, Hobbs has often described his band's sound as "virgin metal", stating his sound as a pure style of music. The band ended in 2019 due to the passing of founder Peter Hobbs.
Bubonic Plague
Hobbs' Angel of Death Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Torment your body and your mind
This is it your time has come
Now you bow your head
Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust disease will be spread
Now, now, it's time for you to die
Across the streets of London
Nothing else but death
Rats will have their feast before
The fire burns them to death
Now, now, it's time for you to die
Breathe, feel it in the air
The song Bubonic Plague by Hobbs' Angel of Death is a heavy metal song that vividly describes an apocalyptic scenario. The opening lines, "Lightning speeds across the sky, torment your body and your mind," sets a dark, foreboding tone. The lyrics are apocalyptic, with the bubonic plague (also known as the Black Death) spreading across London. The lyrics also describe the horror of rats overrunning the city before being burned alive, leaving nothing but death in their wake.
The chorus of the song captures the fear of the disease, with the line “Now, now, it's time for you to die, breathe, feel it in the air.” The song paints a bleak picture of the inevitability of the disease and the helplessness of those who succumb to it. The lyrics suggest that the only way out is death, and the plague will spread until nothing is left in its path.
Overall, Bubonic Plague is a powerful song that depicts the terror of a devastating disease. The lyrics convey the emotional turmoil and pain that this disease causes to those who are afflicted by it. The song creates a powerful and gripping picture, displaying the horrors and desperation of the historical event.
Line by Line Meaning
Lightning speeds across the sky
The imminent danger is approaching very quickly.
Torment your body and your mind
The plague will not only cause physical pain but also mental anguish.
This is it your time has come
The infected person has reached the end of their life with no cure in sight.
Now you bow your head
Acknowledging defeat and accepting the inevitable death.
Ashes to ashes
The finality of death and the body returning to dust.
Dust to dust disease will be spread
The plague will continue to spread and affect more people.
Now, now, it's time for you to die
The infected person is being reminded of their impending death.
Breathe, feel it in the air
The pervasive nature of the disease can be felt all around, even in the air.
Across the streets of London
The setting of the outbreak, where death is everywhere.
Nothing else but death
The situation is dire and bleak, with no hope for survival.
Rats will have their feast before
The rats will consume the bodies before the fire consumes them.
The fire burns them to death
The city will use fire to try and contain or eradicate the disease, which will also lead to animal casualties.
Contributed by Liam T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.