Thrash metal at its finest
Californian band Vio-Lence was formed in 1985, where they became well known for their wild thrash metal music. The band released three albums before breaking up in 1993, but in 2019 the band reunited and started to perform live, which influenced them to record their EP Let The World Burn. As a whole, the album is fantastic because Sean Killian’s vocal performance dominates each track with great authority, and guitarists Phil Demmel and Bobby Gustafson— along with bassist Christian Olde Wolbers, give soul-shaking riffs. Additionally, the drumming from Perry Strickland fills the air with thunderous drum beats. Let The World Burn proves how Vio-Lence still knows how to make quality thrash metal music.
The opening tune “Flesh from Bone” demonstrates how powerful Killian is as a vocalist. While listening, Killian’s voice keeps things together as he shouts out the lyrics in pure rage, and the feeling of uneasy intensity can be felt. Killian does a good job of staying attuned with the rest of the band, as the faster the band plays, the higher Killian can sing. “Flesh from Bone” starts things off with a solid singing style by Killian.
Total headbanger “Screaming Always” has face-smacking guitar playing by Demmel and Gustafson. Right off the bat, surging guitar notes can be heard blaring from the speakers, and the undying energy from both guitarists can be felt through each note. The noises coming from the guitars show how both Demmel and Gustafson are talented musicians who can create their madness through righteous riffs. “Screaming Always” is a vein jolter that has Demmel and Gustafson playing their hearts out on their guitars.
The dark “Upon Their Cross” is an insane composition that has non-stop insanity due to the drumming by Strickland. Throughout the whole song, Strickland is playing killer drum beats that contribute to the non-stop madness. The most enjoyable part is hearing how fast Strickland can smack the drum heads because the clashing sounds can dazzle the minds of those who are listening. “Upon Their Cross” is a wild ride that has Strickland crafting his darkness through his solid drum playing.
“Gato Negro” has ear bleeding bass guitar riffs from Olde Wolbers. This tune is deep due to the lyrics, but what really shines through the darkness is Olde Wolbers’s bass guitar playing. Through the insane music, deep bass riffs rumble relentlessly in the background, and the vibrations radiate while the music continues to rage havoc on people’s minds. It is nice to hear how well Olde Wolbers is capable of playing face smack riffs that match the musical structure the rest of the band is playing on. Olde Wolbers is a gifted bass guitarist, and on “Gato Negro” he displays how he is capable of performing sweet guitar riffs.
The title and closing track “Let The World Burn” ends things with a bang, and the lyrics are well written. “Eruption of screams/Laughing insane/Dreams burnt away/ by acid-laced rain/Abortions of flesh/cover the soil/Come witness your suffering” emphasizes how the band wants the negativity in this world to suffer and fade away. Throughout this track, it does seem like the band wants the negative people to disappear for destroying the lives of innocent people. “Let The World Burn” is a tune that has lyrics filled with strong emotions that can help express the feelings people have toward the negativity and evil that surrounds them.
Vio-lence has its feet on the gas pedal with Let The World Burn. The vocals and instrumentation show how thrash metal can thrive in today’s music scene.
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