Dark Angel is an American thrash metal band from Downey, California, that formed in 1981. Their over-the-top style (extremely fast, heavy and lengthy songs with many tempo changes, lyrics, and extended instrumental parts) earned them the nickname "the L. A. Caffeine Machine". Although Dark Angel had never achieved a mainstream breakthrough in their initial career, they are often credited as one of the leaders of the second wave of the 1980s thrash metal movement.

Dark Angel released four full-length studio albums before splitting up in 1992. After a short-lived reunion from 2002 to 2005, the band reunited once again in 2013, and they are currently working on their first studio album in more than three decades.

Dark Angel is also notable for featuring drummer Gene Hoglan, who has been a member of the band since 1984, and since their initial breakup in 1992, he has played in numerous bands such as Death, Testament, Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory and Dethklok.