Artist: Violated
Title: Only Death Awaits
Type: Album
Label: Duplicate Records

Norwegian Thrash anymore? Originally starting out on 2004, Violated have had a couple of releases of late catching my eye. Thrash metal with vocals akin to a mix of James Hetfield and Phil Anselmo in fact make this a good listen. There are many US West Coast thrash influences, but I think that some comes from Europe in the faster numbers, notably Germany and our beloved United Kingdom. The production seems somewhat European, but then when you have Dan Swano mastering the release in Unisound Studios, then you realise why this is so familiar. Whilst the riffs are enough to draw you in, like the rebel rousing opener ‘Out of Focus’, I am still somewhat bemused and feel the want for this record to give me a little bit more. But then the Bay Area kicks your ass in the form of ‘What You Give Is What You Get’ that is an unheard track (see later in this review for an explanation) and its mostly forgiven.

The crunchy guitar riff opener and bass line is pretty damn good; Exodus-ish if you will in the character of this tune. ‘Human Illusion’ has those lose harmonic bends on the guitars, normally associated with cookie monster death metal, however, this grooves and batters for all these Norwegians are worth even if it does sound like the aforementioned Pantera singer jamming in Sepultura with Dimebag supporting both. What a combination! Violated have actually hit the nail on the head with this market. I feel this release will actually suit new Thrash fans and those people whom liked Thrash that came out in the 1990’s simply due to the harsh vocals. A word of wisdom though, 5 of these 8 tracks are already available on their split release with Destroyer on another record label. Unless you have not got that release, then this certainly is worth picking up.

Whilst I put this album in the pile of “might listen to again sometime”, I very much doubt it will be as memorable as some thrash albums that have recently come out. Still, this is a valiant effort on the whole, but like I said earlier, I had already listened to these songs before on a prior release and is perhaps unfair to this talented band. Violated certainly are worth a listen but lack the wow-factor for me.

http://www.myspace.com/theviolated
http://www.myspace.com/duplicaterecords

Paul Maddison

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