The Summary Judgment Reviews:
Title: Let the Violence Begin
Artist: Dreams of Damnation
Label: Necropolis Records
Release Date: 12/1/00

Rating: 2 Skulls
  • Discuss on the Metal Judgment Web Board
  • Submit/Read Reader Reviews of this Album

    • Reviewed by Requiem (5/16/01):
    Thinking back to those fabulous days of thrash I recall great bands like Vio-Lence, Forbidden, Metal Church, Sanctuary and of course most of the elite bands as well. Somehow I passed by now legendary acts such as Destruction, Kreator and Dark Angel among others. Throughout the years I've taken a trip back in time to relive these highly influential acts that happened to miss these metal soaked eardrums. And while I've since been turned onto some of those acts, I haven't found the beauty in all of them such as Dark Angel for instance. Negative metal points for me, I know. But that leads me to the introduction of Dreams of Damnation, which features ex Dark Angel guitarist Jim Durkin.

    These songs are played very much with the Dark Angel attitude as well as having the rough recording which is also apparent on many albums in the Dark Angel catalogue. Let the Violence Begin offers plenty of speed and aggression but overall I think the album is fairly raw, which some people value in certain records, myself included. But here, I think a good production would have helped them more than hurt em. The songs are not very lengthy and although they base most of their style on the speedy side of things, they find time to sneak in a slower and heavier section to break up the frantic vibe they have throughout the disc.

    The big problem with this 6 song EP is vocalist Charlie Silva. For one the guy is too loud in the mix and two his vocals make me cringe a bit. Don't get me wrong, his voice may work with some bands but here it is punishment to the ears. Upon first listen I was appalled to be honest. Much like there was a selective taste to the vocals of such bands such as Vio-Lence (Why? I wish I knew), Sanctuary (Again, why?) and Confessor (fantastic band all around), I find the same dislike to the vocals on this. It's all selective taste I guess. I have no problems with traveling back in time, but I just think it is not effective in this case. I find myself bored and really can't find much to this that is valuable.

    I give these guys some props for keeping it real. They attack with an intensity that could demolish buildings and they handle their music much like it sounded back in the day. I know there are plenty of thrash heads out there that may eat this up but as for me I think I'm fine with the classics for now. But those vocals, as rabidly ferocious as they are just can't be ignored. I think a new singer may do a lot of justice here, because the music that lies beneath is some fairly talented 80's thrash with a capital 'T'. Fans of early Testament, Kreator and Destruction may want to take notice if you're looking for new bands with that raw and thrashy sound.
    2 out of 5

    [- Metal Judgment Home -]    [- Email Metal Judgment -]
    ©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.