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Review Summary: Nefarious thrash gets its savior in the 90's with "Epidemic of Violence", an immoral romp that draws from both the thrash and death genres to give a stiff upper lip to the metal movements of its time period. Besides two Pantera albums and the band Exhorder (which incorporated small hints of groove rhythms sparingly), the groove metal movement in the early 90’s was an embarrassment to the heavy metal community. Not only was it the watered-down and half-baked cumbersome relative of thrash, but it gave birth to an even more preposterous genre: nu-metal. Veterans of metal across the globe wept at this calamitous new undertaking as they were forced to listen as phrases such as “I like my music heavy, that’s why I listen to metal like Mudvayne” snaked their way out of a mouth of a generation poisoned by a repulsive and obnoxious inbred form of music.
Before falling victim to the bastardized ways of groove and nu-metal, Demolition Hammer was nothing less than a bulldozer of a band. Fronted by rabid bassist and vocalist Steve Reynolds, “Epidemic of Violence” offers no new gimmicks, nor does it throw unexpected punches; it’s just an unequivocal offering of concentrated extreme thrash. From the moment the first few riffs from guitarists James Reilly and Derek Sykes hit the ear, there’s no confusion as to the direction of the album. Reilly and Sykes partner up to create a salvo of savage riffs, and these two aren’t just mindless goons claiming to be thrash guitarists, they are professionals. There’s influence drawn from death metal, which administers a more remorseless tone throughout their work. Nothing is slow-paced either, with the speed of “Skull Fracturing Nightmare” finishing off hand-in-hand with the berserker track “Aborticide”.
There's no room for mercy on “Epidemic of Violence”. Steve sets the tone on “Human Dissection” by screeching out “Delivered in a body bag / Cryptic frigid vault / Brandishing a toe tag”. Never mind moments that are meant to catch your breath, “Epidemic of Violence” pounces straight for the kill. Drummer Vinny Daze sounds like an M60 gunner behind his kit, with his double-bass hardly stopping its decimating power. As he fluently supports Reilly and Sykes, Armageddon begins, since together they sound as evil as a rusted chainsaw screaming for blood. There's no deviation from the typical thrash structure of brash palm-mutes, and while Reilly and Sykes may come close to a complete overkill of this ideal, its overlooked by the prowess of which they are delivered devastatingly on "Omnivore" and "Human Dissection". When middle tracks like “Envenomed” and the title track hurl themselves out into the open, your head will still be spinning from the attack you received earlier from “Skull Fracturing Nightmare” and “Pyroclastic Annihilation”. That, however, is the albums only downfall because once you’ve gotten halfway through, it’s likely that you’ll be too bruised and sore to notice anything new developing, which is shame since the closer “Aborticide” is a thrash treat, laced with bone-searing riffs and topped by lunatic vocals.
In the end, “Epidemic of Violence” is like standing in a ring with nine boxers. Every time you get punched in the face, you spin around hoping to find some sort of alleviation, only to get slammed again. For those unfortunate few who will find this too repetitive, pity is in store for you. Demolition Hammer produced two of thrash’s finest in the 90’s, and “Epidemic of Violence” is a mammoth of brutal proportions that many will find their twisted solace in.
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In response to your request in the comm. thread:
Not only was it the water-downed and half-baked cumbersome relative of thrash
You mean watered-down.
Overall, your ideas are spot-on, but your prose (as could any writer's) could use work. Try not to start two sentences in a row with the same word (third paragraph, "When") unless you're really trying to emphasize repetition. Also, using the phrase "there is" usually means an awkward sentence, so try to avoid it.
I also advise against taking on an entire genre like you did in the intro. Of course, I'm really nitpicking, this was a good review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate it. I went ahead and fixed a few things that Flawed pointed out, I'll go ahead and try and comb through it some more planewreq with your advice :thumb:
| | | great review. i need more thrash (who doesnt....am i right?)
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Alright Lewis, I think I understood what you were saying and made an attempt to make amends, which hopefully I did correctly.
I'd take a journalism class next semester, but I have to wait till next year when it's open
| | | Great review south. Although I agree that you shouldn't bash an entire genre, groove truly was awful.
You ask [most] people "what are you favorite groove metal tracks"?, and they go "Cowboys From Hell" or "Walk". Then you ask them, what about tracks from other good groove metal bands, and they have no answer for you.
And Nu-Metal? lulz.
Pos *Thumbs up*
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
pantera ripped off exhorder big time.
| | | LOL
amazing title
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
that's because it's br00tal to the max man
| | | Brilliant opening paragraph; brought the lols and my vote. :thumb:
| | | is it really THAT pit-riffing Grant?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
You might like it for it's small death metal influences robots, but it's a stretch.
To answer your question, yes.
| | | Excellent review once again SOH. This sounds like it could be up my alley! I know alot of people on this site don't like nu-metal, but I have to stick up for it and give it the credit it deserves. Its a gateway to these bands that are a step up in terms of technicality and heaviness. Your comment concerning nu-metal fans ridiculous claims about nu-metal being really heavy was perfect!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Good review Grant. Could you compare this band with another band/bands? Sounds interesting.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Well, for starters Robin, you would fucking love this. If I had to choose an band/album to compare to, I would say this reminds me a little bit like Deathchain's "Deathrash Assault" (guitar tone wise), but for the most part I haven't really encountered any death/thrash like this.This Message Edited On 12.25.07
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Thanks, the album got even more interesting now
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Title track crushes all :evil:
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
The band name is still a bit corny imo =/
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Yeah but it suits them. If MA was working, you could go look at the ratings for this...6 reviews which give it an 87% ranking, none of which are below 80% individually.
| | | killer riffs on this but i aint used to the 90s produced harsh vocals...eek
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I can see how the vocals could be hard to get into but...seriously...Demolition fucking Hammer dude. Fucking awesome.
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