VIOLENTOR were formed in 2009, and they are from Lucca, Italy. They are a Speed and Thrash Metal band and “Burn In Metal” is their sixth full-length album. It has a length of about 40 minutes. The album was released via German Black and Pagan Metal specialists Folter Records. No official video has been released yet. The album starts with a short, guitar-driven introductory part to “The Return Of The Assassins”, which is a frantic Thrash Metal attack at insane speed. The guitar riffing is simple, direct, and aggressive, and the drumming is very monotone. The vocals are harsh and vary between the medium to higher end of the vocal range. It is a track without any technicality, but with a lot of aggression. “Storm Of Blasphemies” starts with a cinematic intro, leading into another fast track with tight riffing. In terms of song textures, the track is a continuation of the previous one with subtle changes in speed and rhythm, and the main riff is more Thrash-oriented. There is a very short mid-tempo break with a few powerful riffs. The vocals are as the drumming very monotone, without any versatility.

The title track continues with the blistering pace, but with powerful riffs and with a few Punk/Hardcore vibes. The riffing is very direct, and the chorus parts are almost anthemic. There is more versatility compared to the previous ones as there are a few slight tempo switches combined with strong basslines and a short lead guitar solo. Overall, “Burn In Metal” could have been trimmed a bit as there is too much repetition of the chorus line. “Pitch Black” sounds almost like a fast version of an early VENOM tracks. The sound is very aggressive, it is all one tempo, and the vocals are monotone most of the time with the exception of a few added screams. Highlight is the short lead guitar solo. “Voievod” starts with a short mid-tempo intro, before going back to insanity mode. The drumming adds plenty of double-bass to the track, apart from that, it is the same story: simple riffs, almost no technicality, but pure aggression. “Cicci” is a very drastic change in sound as it is an Italian acoustic song. I am not sure whether this is an Italian traditional song or own composition, it is at least something very different compared to the rest of the album.

“Stevanin” goes back to the well-tried album sound, and it continues with the early VENOM sound. The riffs are again very simple, but the drumming includes once again plenty of double-bass. The vocals keep it going with its lack of versatility and the simple chorus line was repeated countless times. Towards the end, “Stevanin” offers a short break at a measured tempo with thunderous riffs, which introduces a welcomed change in sound. “Failed Dystopian Agenda” sounds a bit different than most other tracks as the song is better structured, there are slight tempo and rhythm switches from the verse parts to the bridges, and the drumming does not sound overly hectic. The guitar riffing is a bit more versatile with switches between tight and more thunderous riffing. Altogether, “Failed Dystopian Agenda” is one of the best album tracks. It all finishes with “Night Of The Werewolves” and although it is a frantic track as most album tracks, it also contains a short mid-tempo part as a break.

The sixth full-length album of VIOLENTOR leaves me with mixed feelings. “Burn In Metal” is very raw and aggressive Speed Metal with Thrash Metal elements. However, it is a very monotone sound with little versatility and hardly any technicality. The sound is very muddy, and the album almost sounds like a demo tape from the early 80s. Whoever likes a time-travel back 45 years ago, might dig the album.