VIO-LENCE — Let the World Burn (review)

VIO-LENCE — Let the World Burn album cover EP · 2022 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Let the World Burn" is an EP release by US, California based thrash metal act Vio-Lence. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in March 2022. Vio-Lence originally formed in 1985 and released three full-length studio albums before calling it quits in 1993. By the time "Nothing to Gain" (1993) came out guitarist Robb Flynn had already moved on and formed Machine Head, and second guitarist Phil Demmel would join Machine Head in 2003, after his post-Vio-Lence act Torque failed to take off (a band which also featured other late lineup Vio-Lence members). Demmel however chose to leave Machine Head in 2018 as he and Flynn no longer agreed on the musical direction or general business of the band, and he subsequently asked former Vio-Lence lead vocalist Sean Killian and drummer Perry Strickland to join him in a new version of Vio-Lence. Former Overkill guitarist Bobby Gustafson was brought in as well as former Fear Factory bassist Christian Olde Wolbers to complete the new quintet lineup.

Stylistically the material on this comeback EP is hard edged, punchy, and aggressive thrash metal done the Bay Area Vio-Lence way. Killian was always a "water divider" type vocalist, and while his voice and vocal style are a little less unique (to some less grating on the ears would probably be a more valid description) on the five tracks on the 24:47 minutes long EP, they are still probably an aquired taste. The riffs are sharp, thrashy, and raw, and the rhythm section are tight and deliver a powerful attack. It´s audible that these guys are seasoned veterans of the scene. Not in the sense that this sounds like grandpa playing, but because everything is delivered with thight precision and an understanding for the right balance between catchiness and rawness. It´s Exodus I think about first, when I listen to Vio-Lence (artists like Forbidden and the related Demonica could also be mentioned as valid references), but the latter are generally faster, more aggressive, and intense.

"Let the World Burn" features a powerful, clear, and sharp sounding production, which suits the material perfectly. The bass is audible, the drums sound sharp, and the guitars are aggressive and punchy. Overall this EP is a good quality comeback for Vio-Lence and for fans of late 80s/early 90s Bay Area thrash metal it´s mandatory listening material. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Human Rosin Melodic Metalcore
HATE BREEDER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Through The Hell Hardcore Punk
ENEMY 906
Buy this album from MMA partners
Lightmatter: Rebirth Deathcore
EARTHGAZER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Eye Of Horus (Lightmatter EP Pt. 2) Deathcore
EARTHGAZER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Galaxy888 (Lightmatter EP Pt. 1) Deathcore
EARTHGAZER
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Agremorta - Adrocitas (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 3 days ago
Agremorta - Ploratus Umbra (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 3 days ago
Agremorta - Vertex Membrana (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 3 days ago
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR - The Temple Of Curved Space (Official Track Stream)
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR
adg211288· 3 days ago
In Sulfur - The Gate (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 2022
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 4 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed