Title: Eternal Nightmare
Label: MCA
Release Date: 1988
Rating: 5 Skulls
Title: Oppressing the Masses
Label: Megaforce Records
Release Date: 1990
Rating: 5 Skulls
Artist: Vio-lence
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Title: Eternal Nightmare Label: MCA Release Date: 1988
Rating: 5 Skulls
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VS. |
Title: Oppressing the Masses Label: Megaforce Records Release Date: 1990
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Reviewed by Requiem (10/24/01):
I think that at least a good handful of us can agree on the fact that Vio-lence was clearly one of the best thrash bands of all time. The aggression portrayed in the lyrics and vocals, as well as the precision and intensity of the music were jaw-dropping to say the least. Their 2 well known albums were Eternal Nightmare and the monumental follow-up, Oppressing the Masses. There is often debate on which album is better and why. As Death has taken the impressive debut to glorify, I shall defend Oppressing. While I'm sure that some of you have your own humble opinions on the subject, those who do not will hopefully investigate into the matter themselves and discover 2 amazing albums that will stand the test of time in thrash history.If I had discovered the band during the release of Eternal Nightmare, my views might be different. I find that one usually falls in love with the album that initially got them into the band, and no subsequent albums can usually take the throne. So I must admit, I was a late bloomer in discovering the mighty Vio-lence. I actually discovered them on Headbanger's Ball (the "World in a World" video), which in turn sent me rushing down to the record store shortly thereafter to pick up Oppressing the Masses. The album has had a godly existence in my music collection ever since. Being somewhat of a little tike at the time, I missed the chance to see them live... until this year's Thrash of the Titans, which completed the missing gap in my live metal experiences.
While Eternal Nightmare was an amazing debut chock full of aggression, speed and technical musicianship all around, Oppressing the Masses saw the band refining their sound even further. This follow-up saw an improvement in lyrical content, and a less frantic approach musically. I find Oppressing to be a much heavier album, due largely in part to the drop off in speed, as well as the concentration on meatier riffs to accentuate the slower moments. The slower moments not only add heaviness to the overall effect of the album, but make the thrashier fast parts hit with unparalleled viciousness. There's something about Vio-lence that really calls for a full scale riot in the live environment. And that's exactly what happens too.
All five members are in their ultimate prime on this release. Rob Flynn and Phil Demmel bring on a stunning axe attack with their aggressive riffing and blazing solos, while being able to lock in tight with drummer Perry Strickland. Strickland is undoubtedly one of the greatest thrash drummers of all time. His overall feel really completes the persona of Vio-lence. His drum fills are astonishing and the overall tightness is just unreal. Dean Dell keeps right up with the rest and displays his skill and tightness via the bass fills and ultra-heavy breakdowns where he often leads the way. Last but not least is vocalist Sean Killian. He's got a vocal style that you either love or hate, and his voice gives the band the signature sound that they have, which is an amazing one if you ask me.
The album really kills all the way through but for the sake of not making this review an hours worth of reading, I'll just give a couple examples. The album opener, "I Profit" is a great introduction to the album with its slow and heavy start, and its fast and frantic nature throughout the verses. "World in a World" isn't too shy of being amazing with its opening groove and midpaced driving verses. When the chorus hits, all hell breaks loose and the tempo is on full throttle from there. Killian's vocals are just sinister yet catchy as hell on the chorus and I find myself singing along every time. It's just an amazing tune, even if it was on Headbanger's Ball. Lastly "Liquid Courage" seems to follow that same successful formula with its crushingly heavy start and the chaotic and fast verses. Vio-lence knew when to make a fast part and when to lock it into a slow and heavy groove, which is why they are the reigning champions of thrash in my eyes.
The bottom line is that Eternal Nightmare and Oppressing the Masses are both must own releases in any thrash fan's collection. While I would give Eternal Nightmare a respectable 4 skulls, Oppressing the Masses is easily worth a perfect rating. I think they went for a tune up after the debut, and came back purring. 11 years later, this album still has the ability make any sane individual either break something around them, mock mosh in their living room or break out the most appropriate air instrument for the moment (ex. air drums, air guitar, etc.). Vio-lence brought out the anger and energy that was the sole purpose of the thrash genre, and they did it better than anyone else. If a heavy metal hall of fame ever sees the light of day, I'll be damned if this band and album don't make it in there.
Oppressing the Masses:
Eternal Nightmare:
Death's Review:
Vio-lence are one of the greatest speed metal bands of all time. There, I said it. Sean Killian was always (and remains - see my Thrash of the Titans review) a sick fuck on stage, running around like a madman while spitting out long, almost stream-of-conscious sounding vocals with lots of shout along lines in his inimitable Blitz (Overkill) meets Hetfield (Metallica) meets A.K. (Flotsam) meets Zetro (Legacy/Exodus) style. On Eternal Nightmare, the band's debut national release on MCA Records, Killian spit out some fun yet sick lyrics in this unique style for maximum effect.But more than the lyrics, Vio-lence was about riffs. I must admit, that at first the riffs were a bit of a guilty pleasure. So pure were they in their crystalization of all that speed metal had hoped to acheive, yet so "untechnical" and "unmelodic" were they in comparison to other Bay Area acts from the time period like Forbidden, Testament and Exodus, that the riffs at first felt a bit formulaic. You know, fast riffs climaxing in a mosh part. Simple shit. But they were soooooo fucking powerful and even more catchy. Each new riff promised sheer headbanging delight by telegraphing the new parts before the drums bass and vocals would come in--by the time they did you were already so jacked up with anticipation that there was nothing you could do to stop yourself from going absolutely fucking nuts. Vio-lence freakin' ruled!
As much as Oppressing the Masses, the band's follow-up, showed musical maturity and more "originality" in the song structures, Eternal is the true classic, as it is full of killer riffs and classic shout-outs the likes of which the speed metal universe was never to see again. My favorites? "Calling in the Coroner" ("Distorted features, as I picked him off the road . . . "), "Serial Killer" (Money, money, money, money, MONEY!!!!"), "Bodies on Bodies," ("Bodies on bodies on bodies on bodies") and "Phobophobia" of course. So many years later, and I still can't get this shit out of my head.
It is astounding that this classic metal release is (I think) completely out of print. Somebody desperately needs to re-release this shit in the worst way. This is some of the best metal ever made! Certainly it is the perfect drug if you need an adrenaline boost of epic proportions. Not to mention the fact that this is probably the earliest official album on which Rob Flynn of Machine Head fame appears, although in retrospect this is such a minor reason to be interested in this record in light of its independant awesomeness that it almost bears omission from this review.
In short, if you love 80's Bay Area thrash, you have to have this album. Find a way to get it, and join in on the fun.
Eternal Nightmare:
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