Review VIO-LENCE ‘Let the World Burn’ – EP

It wasn’t a given that thrash metal veterans Vio-Lence would return with new material. The bigger was the surprise when the Californian metal icons announced a new EP in June last year.

Vio-Lence started in 1985 in Oakland, California. The quintet belongs to the pioneers of a thrash metal and although having with ‘Eternal Nightmare’ and ‘Oppressing the Masses’ two great albums under their belt, Vio-Lence never faced the big breakthrough. It might have helped the band to become the much celebrated underdog with a potential that was never questioned and the fact that Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel scored big wins with Machine Head speaks for itself.

Almost three decades after having unveiled ‘Nothing to Gain’ the band is back with an EP entitled ‘Let the World Burn’. The first exciting thing is the 2022 line-up that includes, next to the founding members Perry Strickland, Phil Demmel and Sean Killian, also Christian Olde Wolbers (ex- Fear Factory) and no less than legendary Overkill axeman Bobby Gustafson.

The quintet wrote and recorded five new songs of which ‘Flesh from Bones’ is the first riff attack. Right away it is apparent that Vio-Lence is back with full force. It is the raw metal sound of the ‘80s that hits listeners right into the face. Next in line is ‘Screaming Always’, reminding of songs from the ‘Eternal Nightmare’-album.

‘Gato Nergo’ is the shortest track on this EP. Surrounded by 5-minute songs, ‘Gato Negro’ is a steamhammer that includes all a solid thrash metal anthem need. Blistering solo parts, a rhythm section with workhorse power and rough vocals, it all makes ‘Gato Negro’ to a smashing metal track.

With having such a strong EP out in the record stores, the band plans for going on tour before there is a realistic chance for another EP. At least work on some next songs started already. But let’s not look too far into the future. Let’s enjoy the moment and that means neck muscle training while listening to ‘Let the World Burn’.