VIOLATOR hailing from Brasilia, Brazil were formed in 2002. The Thrash Metal band released three EPs, two full-length albums, and three live albums so far. Their third full-length album "Unholy Retribution" was produced, mixed, and mastered by Yarne Heylen (BODYFARM; CARNATION; NERVOSA) at Project Zero in Belgium. It has a length of about 40 minutes, and it was released via Brazilian Speed, Power, and Thrash Metal specialists Kill Again Records. The first track of the album starts with a short, tension-building pre-lude, leading into a fast traditional Thrash Metal track. "Hang The Merchants Of Illusion" is driven by aggression, tight guitar riffing, crushing basslines, and grim melodies. The vocals are harsh and vary around the medium end of the vocal range. While the verse parts are played at crazy pace, there are many tempo and rhythm changes, especially during the extended break. Focal point of the break is the very contributing lead guitar solo. "Hang The Merchants Of Illusion" is a strong opening track. "Cult Of Death" continues with the pace and intensity. After a short instrumental part right at the beginning, introducing a chilling melody, the verse and chorus parts are frantic and intense, where the chorus line is very simple and almost anthemic. The tempo slows down to introduce the break at an almost sluggish rhythm with thunderous guitar riffing. After a repeat of the chorus, a cool lead guitar solo starts blisteringly fast. The melodies remain spine-chilling during the solo.

"Persecution Personality" starts at a measured tempo to introduce the melodic framework. After some switches in tempo and rhythm, the track comes to life with insanity in pace, darkness in melodies, aggression, and intensity. There are multiple switches in tempo and rhythm, with the verse parts at fast pace, while the chorus parts typically follow mid-tempo. Some parts of the track remind me on early SODOM material, some others on early SEPULTURA. The many rhythm breaks are slightly disruptive at times, but altogether, "Persecution Personality" is a great track. "Destroy The Altar" delivers devastating guitar riffs at mid-tempo for the verse part. The tempo during the chorus part is raised for a sing-along chorus line. After the first verse/chorus part, the Thrash Metal mayhem really starts with crushing basslines, flesh-ripping guitar riffs and an excellent lead guitar solo at insane pace. Following the solo, there is an extended break at mid-tempo and right afterwards, the track circles back for another verse/chorus part. "The Evil Order" starts with a guitar-driven intro offering spine-chilling melodies. After the first minute, the Thrash Metal attack continues at crazy pace with classical Thrash Metal riffing for the verse and chorus parts. It is a very aggressive track at high intensity. Before the mid-tempo break starts, there is a short lead guitar solo played at breakneck speed. The break offers grim melodies and powerful guitar riffs at mid-tempo, before the track returns to crazy place for another chorus part. The closeout returns to the melodies of the intro.

"Chapel Of The Sick" is another fast traditional Thrash Metal onslaught with verse and chorus part maintaining an insane pace. The guitar riffing is tight, the basslines are crunching, and the intensity is high. There are a few SLAYER vibes from "Hell Awaits" during the chorus parts. The break slows down to a measured tempo with thunderous guitar riffing accompanied by the vocals. There is no solo during the break, the track jumps right away to another verse and chorus part. "Chapel Of The Sick" is the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below. "Rot In Hell" has a frantic start with an instrumental part, leading into a first verse part at measured tempo with a sluggish rhythm. After the first chorus line, the tempo switches to an insane pace for the next verse/chorus part. The guitar riffing is flesh-ripping and there is plenty of aggression in the vocals. The break maintains the high pace and the excellent lead guitar solo is played blisteringly fast. Once again, there are plenty of 80s Thrash Metal vibes thrown into the track. The album finishes with "Vengeance Storm", and the track starts atmospheric and tension-building with the guitars, leading into a sequence of powerful guitar riffs, crushing basslines, and blood-freezing melodies at a measured tempo. After two minutes, the song transitions into a track at insane pace for the verse parts with tight guitar riffs. The vocals offer little tonal shifts, which increases aggression and intensity. The track slows down for the short chorus line only, and then for the break. The break goes back to mid-tempo delivering grim melodies leading to another very contributing lead guitar solo. With the solo, the track finishes by slowly fading out.

VIOLATOR deliver 40 minutes of excellent old school Thrash Metal. "Unholy Retribution" includes the best what Thrash Metal can offer: pace, aggression, intensity, flesh-ripping guitar riffs, chilling melodies, and cool lead guitar solos. VIOLATOR do not re-invent the Thrash Metal wheel; they are spinning it with excellent and stay true to their role models. The album is well produced. Releases like "Unholy Retribution" make sure that classical Thrash Metal remains an important part of Metal. I would not be surprised to see "Unholy Retribution" in many top 10 lists of the Thrash Metal albums of the year.