Let The World Burn
Vio-lence
•
February 14, 2022

Are you ever too old for Heavy Metal? Actor/comedian BRIAN POSEHN used to do a bit in his act where he, despite claiming "Metal until I'm 60" in his youth, approaching 40 was giving him reason to call it early. Now, that was comedy for comedy, obviously, and Mr. Posehn is likely still throwing the horns when the opportunity arises these days, albeit probably very carefully. So really, even if you leave and come back, there's no longer any reason to believe you're too old for this stuff. The kids from "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" (the ones who survived anyways) are all potential grandparents now, but you know they won't be telling anyone to turn down "Let The World Burn", an EP marking the triumphant return of Bay Area Thrash legends VIO-LENCE after almost three decades of only occasional rumbling. The lineup is different from 1993's "Nothing To Gain", but with seasoned veterans stepping in to fill the roles, this collection of Heavy Metal grandpas doesn't sound like they've forgotten anything from the old days.
To call it Old School Thrash might be too accurate. You as the listener could hardly be blamed for believing these tracks are decades old; the authenticity is quite stark in the sense that this is not a revival, or a recreation, or a reinterpretation, or anything like that. Take the single "Flesh From Bone", for instance, which instantly has the raw feeling of experience, not like an old song made by a new band. The four other tracks also take that route but have their own signatures as well. "Screaming Always" does a bit of tempo exploration in the middle, and "Gato Negro" uses a limited amount of vocal effects, succeeding at adding an air of modernity without compromising the other details. "Upon Their Cross" also contains the plummeting bass that was frequently used by FEAR FACTORY, which is no coincidence considering CHRISTIAN OLDE WOLBERS himself was given the low-frequency reins a few years ago.
By the numbers we've got a pretty standard EP on our hands. Five tracks with no filler pieces, totaling a bit under twenty-five minutes altogether. That, unfortunately, lends itself to one of the few strikes against "Let The World Burn". Each track, while still good and worth the listen, tends to get a bit overstated. With the exception of the fourth track, they all feel like a few measures could be cut and there would still be enough quality left.
Despite all that, this is an eminently accessible album, particularly for the old timers looking for new stuff to match the old stuff they know and love. Modern Thrash bands seem like they're always trying to take the genre to strange new places, and while it does work sometimes, there will always be a place for those who love it best the way it used to be. For the battle-wizened pros in VIO-LENCE, the experience really counts.
7 / 10
Good
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Let The World Burn" Track-listing:
1. Flesh From Bone
2. Screaming Always
3. Upon Their Cross
4. Gato Negro
5. Let The World Burn
Vio-lence Lineup:
Sean Killian - Vocals
Phil Demmel - Guitars
Bobby Gustafson - Guitars
Christian Olde Wolbers - Bass
Perry Strickland - Drums
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