Copyright (c) 2007-2024 THE THRASH METAL GUIDE


0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

V.A.R. (CZECH)

Based on "Pod Vodou", these guys play melodic thrash which for the time sounds quite retro, but also quite toothless and soft. The tempo is mid to up at best, and somewhere towards the middle the music acquires the expected modern tendencies, which stay till the end, spoiling considerably the little impression made previously from this pretty pedestrian effort. The last three tracks abandon the thrash metal idea, one of which is a cover version of Black Sabbath's early hit "Children of the Grave" sung in Czech, and done awfully.

"Personal Destruction" is a much harder offering containing vigorous intense retro thrash with good speedy riffs and sinister semi-declamatory vocals, but it is not exactly "Brutalni Chaos", like the opener's title tries to imply. There are whole 16 tracks here so expect a couple of more laid-back power/thrash metal numbers which are also cool although the gruff vocals kind of don't suit them too well.
"Za Put Minut Po Smrti" is really bad, post-thrash without any life and intensity, just rehashed mellow riffs to no end with power and heavy metal present more than the good taste allows. This would be a total waste of time for the thrash metal fan, and even the diehard fans of the band would be quite disappointed.
"Level 6" is a tad edgier, but the fun for the thrash metal fan would be minimal; the guys have settled for their radio-friendly modern, groovish metal and apparently have no intentions of breaking the formula any time soon...

Personal Destruction Full-length, 1992
Zovislost Full-length, 1995
Pod Vodou Full-length, 1998
Rozdvojen ale schopen Full-length, 2001
(15 Years) Fast Like Bikila EP, 2003
Za Put Minut Po Smrti Full-length, 2007
Level 6 Full-Length, 2014

Official Site

V.I.C. ROYAL (GREECE)

A heavy mix of post-thrash and hardcore with echoes of mid-90's Sepultura, and Puncture on the more industrialized moments. There's absolutely no temptation at a faster play: everything is stomping and mid-paced at best with a few alternative deviations (the cool ballad "Eternal", accompanied by a much better clean voice, compared to the harsh hardcore shouter on the rest). The guys lose it near the end, though, by epitomizing a mellower sound finished with another ballad ("Simply Alone Now"), this time too tender and not really relevant.

To Be Continued... Full-length, 2003

V-ANGER (ITALY)

Some trust in "shovels", some trust in "spades"... Anyway, this outfit specialize in modern "shovel" thrash/post-thrash which is quite vivacious and energetic without completely lacking the groovy "traps" the latter almost missing from the ripping headbanger "Soldiers Of Pain", and of course from the Sepultura cover of "Biotech Is Godzilla" in the middle. Watch out for the splitting closer "Hate For All", another all-out mosher, which wraps up this effort with reckless abandon supported by the good expressive shouty vocals.

In Shovel We Trust Full-Length, 2014

V12 (PORTUGAL)

The debut demo is four songs of edgy energetic speed/thrash metal clinging more towards the American models, along the lines of mid-periiod Helstar and Savage Grace. The music is speedy with melodic and sharp hooks taking turns under a not very good sound quality. "Tales of Glory" is the oddity here being a calm epic power metal piece with a very good bass bottom.

The only full-length the guys recorded only partially preserves the raw aggression of the demo settling for more moderate power/speed metal with not many shades of thrash: "Causa Perdida" is a good example of the latter being a cool semi-technical galloper. The sound quality is much better, and the musicianship has improved quite a bit (check the addictive leads on the excellent epic speedster "Negacio Das Almas", the highlight of the album), but as a whole this otherwise cool effort will fail to impress the thrash metal fan a lot.

Demo Demo, 1987
Claustrofobia Single, 1990
V12 Full-length, 1990
Demo 93 Demo, 1993

My Space

V3H3M3NT

This is good modern power/thrash, an interesting diverse stuff with heavy meaty riffs which never stay stale, but move around constantly switching from one tempo to another without ever reaching the very fast parameters. There are balladic instrumental inclusions ("Taurus"), excellent heavy atmospheric semi-ballads ("D-Caf"), and playful funky variations ("Fragments Of Insanity"). The singer is low-tuned, and his semi-clean timbre could be barely heard at times. The problem is that there is not much speed here, and the monotonous riffs may tire the listener near the end where the longer and the more dragging songs have been placed.

One More Fix Full-Length, 2000

VACANT GRAVE (USA)

The full-length: this band offers first-rate intricate thrash/proto-death metal akin to Atheist, Funeral Nation, Revenant, and Hellwitch on the more frantic parts. The music is aggressive and quite fast bashing with full force at times, but leaves room for more stylish technical exploits: the jumpy hectic "Room For 1 More" which comes served with nice, but short leads; the excellent mid-paced instrumental "Graven Scripture" which is the most melodic (except for the wild frantic ending), but is truly one of the best tracks. "Killer Instinct" starts as a ballad, and keeps it going for about 2-min, but after that the guys turn it into an intricate intense death/thrasher with another cool lead guitar work implemented later on. "Supernatural Force" is also worth mentioning using the main theme from the cult horror film "Halloween" in the beginning, but later evolves into a more aggressive thrasher, accompanied by a cool melodic section. The performance on the whole album is outstanding making even the more ordinary immediate tracks come with genuinely interesting riffs and tempo changes: check out the last two jumpy, semi-chaotic numbers "Evil Deceiver" and "Vacant Grave". The band looked well set to give the fashionable at the time thrash/death metal mixture the desirable technical twist, but like Revenant they didn't last beyond the obligatory full-length debut.

Eternal Nightmare EP, 1989
Life Or Death Full-length, 1990

Official Site

VACUUM (JAPAN)

Based on "Natural Born Thrashers", this outfit specialize in lashing modern thrash/core which at times borders on fierce grindcore ("Sweat) even, the choppy groover "Paradise Mixer" overwritten by the more stylish chops of "Drives Overflow" and the non-fussy thrashing of the appropriately-titled "Destroyer". Elsewhere it's thrashcore ("Hells River Terror", "Living Dead Warriors") that dictates the plot, the very shouty rending singer a major noise provider, but very little else.

Grind Crossover Hard Death Rock EP, 1996
The Sense of Vision and Hearing Full-length, 1998
Laugh in the Black Full-length, 2002
Natural Born Thrashers Full-length, 2003

VAE VICTIS (GERMANY)

Based on "My Place in Hell", these folks can easily find a "place in hell" with their vicious black-ish brand of old school thrash which is quite intense and aggressive with some more or less appropriate blast-beats showing up here and there. Speed rules the proceedings, at times being overtly Germanic ("Greetings From Enola Gay"), at others being hypnotic and epic ("Face Your Fear"), at others being pure speed metal delight (the title-track). The singer croaks like a raven with an added more brutal death metal blend and fits the wild bashing camaraderie. Some of the musicians also play in the black metal formation Gleaming Empire.

Black Fucking Thrash Metal Full-length, 2008
My Place in Hell Full-length, 2011

Official Site

VAE VICTUS (CANADA)

Based on the demo: aggressive fast thrash which bears resemblances to Slayer's "Reign in Blood" and Dark Angel's "Darkness Descends", but the songs here are longer, and at least the leads are more proficient. The problem is with the fuzzy guitar sound which partially decreases the impact from this otherwise very hard-hitting music. The vocals are quite good, sounding like a cleaner, and a higher-pitched version of Tom Araya, with a pinch of Russ Anderson (Forbidden).

21 (wow, they're still alive?!) years later the band is back, and the album title shouldn't keep you guessing long what you will be listening to although the sound bears little resemblance to the one on the demo. This is indeed black/thrash metal sounding closer to black metal, still serving cool fast headbangers, more thrash-oriented. The constant blast-beats, however, ruin the impression, leaving little room for the thrash rhythms to develop, and often does the album end up sounding closer to Impaled Nazarene, rather than, say, Aura Noir, or the Japanese trend in the genre. The singer now is a pure black metal semi-shouter, and fits the music fine.

Demo Demo, 1987
Black Fucking Thrash Metal Full-length, 2008

VAEXUS (USA)

Modern/classic power/thrash that is characterized by steady punchy mid-pacers ("War is Peace", "Riot Squad"), the semi-balladic allure of "Obsolete" not quite obsolete, "Into the Abyss" throwing the approach into the doom abyss, of which the band fail to climb out with a string of somewhat lethargic snooze-inducing cuts, the vociferous deathly singer the major claim at ruder awakening.

End of the Line Full-Length, 2024

Youtube

VAFFEN (MEXICO)

The debut: these Mexicans offer intense, no-bars-held retro thrash which boasts a very good sound quality and good attached semi-clean vocals with appropriate shouty tendencies. The guys thrash on with conviction adding the more stylish hook ("Terror Infundado") here and there. Meaty lashing riffs will attack you from all sides, especially on merciless numbers like "Metzican Warrior" and the ultra-speedster "Tezcaltlipoka" which also comes with the finest lead work on the album. The guys relax at times with more laid-back crossover rhythms ("La Lakra"), which is perfectly acceptable, but they have to watch out for those frequent peaceful/noisy interludes coming between the actual songs bringing nothing more meaningful to the album. "Welcome To Mexico", like the title of the closer says... the new Mecca of thrash with Vaffen as its leaders.

"Global Madness" is indeed "madness", the band thrashing on with no remorse adding tasteful lead sections on every track, the final result not very far from Forbidden's debut and the works of the Slovenians Negligence. More relaxed melodic moments can be caught ("Essence of Disaster") as well, but also prepare for some really engaging technical/progressive thrashing on the diverse "The Disease Called Humanity", and on the intelligent fast-pacer "D.F.A.-Six Beer Under". "La Era de las Me1quinas Espirituales" will welcome the listener with virtuoso performance the guys reaching the pyrotechnics on Toxik's "World Circus" with ease. "In Memoriam" is abundant in addictive melodies and hard thrashing riffs, another exemplary whirlwind of speedy, technical crescendos. There's no speed lost on "Dios Ha Muerto" either, another brisk technical feast for the ears; and "Sonido del Vicio" inserts some balladic lyricism, but otherwise this is the next in line very satisfying technical speed/thrasher, adding more to this excellent effort, one of the finest achievements of the Mexican metal scene of the new millennium.

Welcome To... 500 Aelos Full-length, 2010
Global Madness Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VAGABOND (GERMANY)

Based on "Thunderbolt", this act serve classic power/speed/proto-thrash done in a vigorous galloping fashion somewhat marred by the deep unmelodic vocals. The album is permeated by an officious epic atmosphere which doesn't get lost even on the speedy moments which aren't that many. Consequently the delivery may bring some boredom near the end where more energetic pieces like "Back In The Stone Age" lie in wait to show the guys' interest in the 80's American metal heritage: Omen, Attacker, Liege Lord, etc. to whom this album is a faithful, albeit hardly exceptional, tribute.

Ignition Full-length, 2010
Thunderbolt Full-length, 2012

Facebook

VAGINATOR (CHILE)

This Chilean trio pulls out cool classic speed/thrash metal with touches of crossover; the music is quite fast, reaching a Wehrmacht-like intensity at times: "Masacre Vaginator". "Basura Callejera" is a nice aggressive speedy thrasher, followed by the drunken joke song "Demolicion (Los Saicos)", which is kind of underwhelming, breaking the monolithic brutal sound up to this point, although a big excuse is brought near the end, with a fast-paced thrashy exit. "Vaginas All Nite" is more moderate thrash/crossover, but "La Mataflaite" is brutal thrash at its best in the best spirit of the Swedes Merciless and early Pestilence.
"Vaginadictos" is a less serious and an inferior for that matter offering featuring more melodic thrash/crossover with sincere punk references. There are a few more brutal songs, but they are a little more than a mere aggressive bashing with very simplistic repetitive guitars.
The full-length relies on tracks from the demos to pull it through so expect fast relentless thrash mixed with more laid-back crossover tunes all played in a carefree speedy manner. The surprise would be the new composition, the almost 10-min long "RockandRollicos", which is a rockish crossover delight of the merry unpretentious type despite its colossal length. This monstrous song influences the rest which is on the softer side with crossover reigning supreme seldom disturbed by the odd more aggressive thrashy break.

Demo-licion Demo, 2008
Vaginadictos Demo, 2009
Thrash & Roll... A Tu Culo! Full-length, 2010

My Space

VAGRANT (USA)

This band play modern quasi-groovy thrash which starts with the promising Slayer-esque roller-coaster "Resurrection" mixed with a bit of groove. The intensity is retained on hard-hitting cuts like "Damaged" and "Death Will Come", and generally the dynamics is quite high matched by the angry shouty death metal vocals every bit of the way. "Walk of the Dead" is a more hectic semi-technical chopper, but the melo-thrash/death "chainsaws" on the closing "Evil Within" seem to steal the highlight prize.

Asylum Of Darkness Full-Length, 2017

VAIS (BELGIUM)

Based on the "Silent Torture" demo, these Belgians serve stomping dark mid-paced retro thrash which acquires a more pounding doomy clout ("Desire For Pain") the latter developments nicely carried by the good clean attached vocals. "Black Storm" is a cool combination of the two currents, a rugged belligerent composition.

Silent Torture Demo, 1991
Roaming Forever Demo, 1992

VAITOR (COLOMBIA)

This young outfit indulge in ripping old school thrash which is played at really high-speed throughout bordering on proto-death introducing the odd more technical element on "Detonacion" where also some virtuous screamy leads can be heard. "Justicia E Igualdad" is a nice take on the more elaborate Paradox speed/thrash sound, a lashing headbanger with a nice acoustic Latino guitar-driven mid-break. Things get even more interesting on the next "Alima1as" which keeps the more intriguing decisions flowing before all hell breaks loose on the short "Ven Al Mosh". The closing "Thrash Metal" shouldn't even contain any music the title saying it all, an aggressive shredder with echoes of Exodus' eponymous debut. The vocals are on the more restrained semi-shouty side and don't distract too much from the impetuous musical approach.

Deto-Nacion Full-Length, 2014

Facebook

VALACAR (USA)

This act pull out rough, not very carefully rehearsed, old school thrash/crossover which is mostly on the melodic side suddenly dispersed by the awkward aggressive death metal break ("Throne of Skulls") which suits better the gruff semi-deathy singer. The music is very unpretentious with numerous jolly decorations which create an optimistic atmosphere not far removed from the one on the early Gwar releases.

Throne Of Skulls EP, 2012

Official Site

VALCYRIE (SWEDEN)

This obscure gem is a real keeper: very well-executed technical thrash, fast intense stuff with good intelligible semi-death metal vocals. "At The Mountain" is an ambitious encompassing opener thrashing in a clever, but also pretty intense, manner for about 7- min, recalling both Messiah and Death from around the same time, only more thrash-fixated. "Reborn Into Reincarnation" is a more immediate ripping thrasher with lashing sharp riffs and a few good melodic leads. Then the bigger complexity returns with "Prepare To Suffer" which will also remind you of late-80's Metallica and Testament being a fast technical Bay-Area piece. "Symptom Of Brutality" is another seismic technical number combining immediate speedy sections with elaborate twisting ones to a fairly positive effect. The sound quality is very good, and later these talented musicians left a more memorable trace on the metal scene under the name Pathos, one of the most prominent acts to come out of Sweden (the guys had one demo released in 1992 as Depict Pathos).

Into the Questions of What? Demo, 1991

VALDEMAR (INTERNATIONAL)

Based on the sophomore, these folks deliver capable retro power/speed/thrash which gallops with the finest horses out there on "Here Comes... What Follows" after overcoming a lengthy but alluring balladic inauguration. The speed/thrashing joy carries on unabated on "Red Mist" and "Madness in the Attic", bringing the winds of the Bay-Area with them, before "Planet of Sorrow" calms down for a portion of well-levelled mid-paced pageant. The singer is a decent mid-ranged clean throat, his more lyrical side displayed on the closing pacifier "Ghost Town Reverend", the mellowest proposition here.
The debut is not as convincing, the pulverizing "The Hive Mind" confidently laying out the semi-technical dynamics on which half the album has been built, with both "Midnight Dawn" and the balladic filler "Distorted Thoughts" decidedly on the lazier side of the spectre, with "MK-Ultra" helping a bit with a more energetic rhythm-section, the virtuous gallops of "Tilted Perception" another boosting segment. Butthat's pretty much all as the second half doesn't deliver as well, the bottom reached with the soporific soothing ballad "Shackles".

Internal Struggle Full-length, 2018
Mind the Insane Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VALE ARCANE (USA)

Ex-members of Arsis have gotten together for the production of this fairly pedestrian melo-thrash/death offering which contains not a single grain of the flamboyant technicality of their former band. The guys by all means know how to play as evident from the melodic galloper "Three Mouths of Satan" as well as a few other cuts; it's just that in an over-saturated style as the one the guys have chosen to venture into one should try much harder in order to have his voice heard.

Death Messages Full-Length, 2015

Official Site

VALFIERNO (ARGENTINA)

Good edgy retro thrash flows from this 5-song demo which mixes hard riffs with soaring melodies no worse than early Paradox and Squealer, but there is harder thrashing to be heard on the Slayer-esque "Contrafuego", as well as heavier power/thrash on the closing "Escapando". The singer is a shouter of the expressive semi-clean type, and his antics suit well the intense musical delivery.

Sin Piedad Demo, 2009

My Space

VALHALLA (USA)

Choppy, semi-technical thrash with good tasteful leads; the guys shred with competence although the muddy sound production hampers their efforts a bit. The songs are lengthy, but the stylish rhythms keep flowing unerringly along with the very good bass performance. "Drifter" is an ambitious progressive number which recalls Heathen's future exploits on "Victims of Deception". The singer shouts in a not very attached semi-clean fashion, and creates quite a bit of noise at times.

Real Life Demo, 1988

VALIENT THORR (USA)

Based on "Immortalizer", this band pull out decent melodic heavy/thrash metal which owes a lot to 90's Megadeth (circa "Countdown to Extinction"), and Exciter when the music picks up more speed. Some songs are softer ("Tomorrow Police", "Nomadic Sacrifice") with a strong classic heavy metal spirit, but most of the time the guitars thrash with conviction and melody, and often with speed ("No Holds Barred", "Red Flag"). The sound is simplistic, but the guys nicely vary the tempos alternating more energetic tracks with heavier mid-paced ones. The lead guitar work is particularly good, but the leads are short since the relatively short length of the songs (3-4min) hardly requires more.
The band's first two efforts have nothing to do with thrash being pretty ordinary uneventful blends of heavy, power and doom metal; have their moments but would be a total waste of time for the thrash metal fan.

Total Universe Man Full-Length, 2005
Legend of the World Full-Length, 2006
Immortalizer Full-Length, 2008

Official Site

VALKNUT (SPAIN)

A one-man orchestra, the alias Manolin, who, based on “Scream of Cthulhu”, indulges in modern thrash/post-thrash which pounds its way through spasms of semi-technical groovisms (“Destino Implacable”) and sudden gusts of near-classic exuberance (“Buscando el Camino”), the levelled deathly shouty vocals leading the vociferous show, the latter stirring moshpits with “Picanthrash” and “David vs Goliat”, but pacifying the restless spirits with the slow-burning all-instrumental progressive “Desert Sands of Thrash”, on which thrash only exists on paper.

Release the Kraken: Sesión #2 Full-length, 2019
Domains of Leviathan Full-length, 2020
Scream of Cthulhu Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VALKYRIA (ARGENTINA)

Pleasant, feelgood speed/power/thrash with which Argentina has made a name for itself (hello, Hermetica) through the years. The delivery here is perhaps a bit more aggressive and the vocals are harsher, but still coming with a more comprehensive cleaner blend. The fast-pacers which open the album kind of take a second seat later on for a while, before the edgier approach comes back in the second half, producing a couple of admirable "violent" headbangers: "Violencia", the closing "Maniaco", etc.

Victoria Full-Length, 2015

Youtube

VALKYRIA (RUSSIA)

The band's self titled debut is outstanding progressive thrash metal rubbing shoulders with late-80's Living Death and Mekong Delta. The very first riffs from the opener "Ravens" will prepare you for a classical music-inspired guitar wizardry combined with fast sharp riffage. The tempos stray into all directions with some parts seeming discordant and too chaotic, also infused with keyboards, which are a bit overused at times; this touch and some fast sections will draw comparisons with the 90's power/speed metal scene, but just when the listener starts to get a bit disappointed, comes a brilliant complex technical passage to save the day. The music is fast-paced with quite a few straight headbanging moments, and some really aggressive riffs: the instrumental "Valkyria". The singer plays a secondary role here, and his mid-ranged leveled tone is not really exceptional making him sound like Wolfgang Borgmann (the first Mekong Delta singer).

Like most of the Russian bands at that time, they got lost, and were back 9 years later with a shocking industrial Rammstein-like sound (apparently the guys were thinking carefully about their fans during that time as to what musical direction to follow: pun intended, the album title: "Thinking of You"). For the enormous relief to the metal world, "Mystical Mass" is a nice return to the progressive thrash of the debut. It is actually a remastered version of the debut to a point that some tracks you might find hard to recognize, because they come with a better production and a tighter musicianship.

"Popolni Riadu" is a more aggressive thrashier version of "Thinking of You"; no traces of progressive thrash metal; apparently the re-release of the debut was made just to add some effortless cash to the guys' pockets, but not intended as a warming-up for another progressive thrash opus. The industrial metal fans will be delighted once again, and even the thrash metal ones might find something to like since the guitars are quite sharp, and the pace is fairly dynamic, but it's obvious that the band have already moved on with no intentions to open pages long closed.

Valkyria Full-length, 1993
Thinking of You Full-length, 2002
Mystical Mass Full-length, 2005
Popolni Riadu Full-length, 2008

My Space

VALKYRIE (JAPAN)

Based on the second demo, this act provide energetic roller-coaster speed/thrash all the three tracks being fast relentless headbangers "Void Of Heart" offering some respite with an isolated portion of heavier, less intense guitars. The vocals are thin and semi-shouty, but are not a detraction from the immediate stripped-down barrage.

Demo 1 Demo, 1987
Demo Demo, 1989

VALKYRIE (USA, LA)

The flag of American power/thrash is raised high again on this not very known effort. The band lash at times in a manner not too strange to Forbidden ("Alice's Nightmare"), but the overall approach is more serene calling to mind Liege Lord and Attacker, above all. There are plenty of catchy riffs to be savoured here as well as good emotional attached clean vocals which cover several ranges with dexterity the higher ones particularly impressive reminiscent of John Leone (Attacker).

Alice's Nightmare Demo, 1987

My Space

VALKYRIE (USA, NJ)

American power metal meets thrash; the American metal scene was full of similar demos back in the 80's: good energetic music along the lines of Savage Grace, Attacker, early Helstar, etc. with good, proficient solos and catchy, sing-along choruses.

Past, Present,... Demo, 1990

VALKYRIE (USA, TX)

A really good 3-song demo of blistering speed/thrash recalling Viking's "Man of Straw" and Helstar's "Distant Thunder" (please note that this demo precedes both albums with a few years). This is great headbanging music, quite fast, and even technical at times, with vocals which reach for the high notes quite often in a way not too dissimilar to Larry Portelli (Blessed Death). "Reign of Violence" starts with a very popular theme which I still have problems recalling... (help here, please).

Choosers of the Slain Demo, 1986

VALKYRIE'S CRY (USA)

These Canadians are a very good reminder of the power/speed/thrash metal scene of the 80's, crossing quite a few influences consequently sounding like neither of the old timers, but are reminiscent of more recent practitioners like the Danes Manticora, the Polish Hellfire, the Germans Sacred Steel, and the Finns Solitaire when they switch onto full-on speed. The album opens with the epic speed metal hymn "Iron Sword", but the cheesiness gradually fades away, first with "Black Knight" which is a battle-like speed/thrasher, and later on on the intense thrashterpiece "Beserker", which even blast-beats for a while. "Viking Warrior" adds a cool technical touch to the proceedings, plus mighty galloping riffs. "Blessed By The Mace" excels in the lead department, thrashing with force again, before "Ride of Sleipnir" takes on the exuberant style of Helstar's "Nosferatu", by retaining the speed. "Vortigern" is a short technical speed/thrasher, again reminding of the Helstar magnum opus, but "Valkyrie's Cry" is direct speed metal with an epic atmosphere. "Headless Horseman" closes the album in a smashing speed/thrashing manner, despite the misleading doom intro. The singer is a nice addition with his mid-ranged clean timbre, sounding like a less emotional James Rivera who seldom tries to scream. It's always good to hear a band fully dedicated to the roots of the genre by mixing all the basic styles so well without overdoing it.

Valkyrie's Cry Full-length, 2009

Official Site

VALLIS MORTEM (DENMARK)

This outfit specialize in vigorous old school thrash which mixes aggression and melody in a way Testament used to do it in the distant past adding a more brutal death metal vocal delivery to the proceedings. The guys thrash with passion in cuts like "Apostasy" and "Crusade" which don't miss in the lead department, either, with some great melodic solos present. There are more modern elements sneaking into the album, but they are not detrimental to the overall retro atmosphere.

Last Sundown Is Forever Full-Length, 2014

Official Site

VALLHUND (USA)

Based on "The Wrath of the End upon Thee", this one-man show, the name Aaron Ashley, plays classic thrash which at times has this stomping threatening quality ala early Celtic Frost, at others is friendlier power/thrash mid-pacers ("The Enemy's at the Gates"), at others pulls out some really intense headbanging thrash ("Wrath of The End upon Thee"). "Recessional for Empire" is a varied epic composition, Ashley displaying bigger musical prowess, the heavy doom-laden closer "Savage Wolves Will Come to Thee" giving him an opportunity to unleash more guttural deathly tirades as opposed to his dominant intimidating Tom G. Warrior (Celtic Frost again)-like antics.

Millions of the Mouthless Dead Full-length, 2021
The Wrath of the End upon Thee Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VALOR (USA)

A good band from the 80's who pull out power/speed/thrash along the lines of Destructor and Hallows Eve, among other representatives of the American scene. These guys are better than both bashing out quite aggressive pieces: the furious thrashers "Accept Him" and "Valor", the speed metal killers "Fight for Your Life" and "Masquerade", the mid-paced heavy pounder "The Flesh is Weak". The rest of the songs are slower with "Empty Tomb" being an intense mixture of doom and thrash. The singer has an original low-tuned semi-clean tone reminiscent of Jon Van Doorn (Deathwish).

Fight For Your Life Full-length, 1988

Fan Site

VALORE (COLOMBIA)

Melodic modern thrash with a couple of more energetic happenings ("Loss of Time"), the mid-paced meanderings of "The Realm" dictating the proceedings on the rest, the passable leveled clean mid-ranged vocalist trying to sound deathly on occasion, his more extreme histrionics matching the less bridled spirit of "Ghost of Nature".

The Witch Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VALUME NOB (USA)

Based on "Residue And Bones": an interesting but melodic mix of thrash/crossover with a groovy vibe, and stoner/doom; the music resembles a thrashier version of Phil Anselmo's Down. The bad news is that it stays closer to the doom side, and consequently doesn't create an enjoyable, headbanging atmosphere for the thrash metal fan. Don't get misled by the title of the song "Brutal Attack": this is the softest track here, being an insipid doom/blues; the rest is just a little bit better.

The EP is pretty close sound-wise to the full-length, but falls prey too often to the hardcore "traps", having a really hard time to recover after the fall. The two live tracks at the end restore the faith, if there ever was any in the first place, with their simplistic, but heavy hammering riffs.

The Most High EP, 2004
Residue And Bones Full-length, 2006

Official Site

VALVERA (BRAZIL)

Based on "Back to Hell", this act pull out a modern power/thrash blend which develops in a steady, at times semi-technical, manner ("Demons of War") with infectious melodies ("The Traveller") also roaming around. Attempts at less impressive groove like the title-track are easily discarded by frolic melodic cuts like "All the Lost Souls" and energetic speedsters like "Dying in the Wrong Life", the angry shouty vocals not the most suitable accompaniment to the uplifting, friendly musical approach.
"Cycle of Disaster" is a more classically-sounding recording, the guys moshing with passion as evident from the sprightly "Nothing Left to Burn" and the jumpy melo-thrasher "The Damn Colony". The more stylish technical quirks on "All Systems Fall" are well noted, but such attempts are not as frequent as, say, catchy epic power metal hymns like "Fight for Your Life".

Cidade em Caos Full-length, 2015
Back to Hell Full-length, 2017
Cycle of Disaster Full-Length, 2020

Official Site

VAMONOS PEST (GERMANY)

This act indulge in modern/classic abrasive thrash which has a decent semi-technical sting ("No One") flowing, but there's also an audible epic progressive shade ("A Gallon of Blood & Tears") added to the scenery, the overlong balladic "Silent Wrath" slowing down the proceedings, the guys taking it easy in the second half with a string of samey mid-pacers with a power metal touch. The vocalist is a semi-rending semi-deathster, too brutal for the music at play.

From The Deep Full-Length, 2022

Official Site

VAMPIRE (GERMANY)

Melodic modern thrash/death, mostly mid-paced with a gothic shade, occasionally blasting out (parts from "Ballad of the Two-Faced" which has nothing to do with the ballad).

Crimson Dominion Demo, 1998

VAMPIRE (SWEDEN)

The debut: this Swedish bunch specialize in diverse energetic black/thrash which sits between the modern and the classic school. The riffs are sharp despite the slightly abrasive edge given to the guitars, and memories of old timers like Venom and Celtic Frost will inevitably arise from nostalgic brooders like "At Midnight I'll Possess Your Corpse" and "Ungodly Warlock". "The Bestial Abyss" brings sinister blacky atmosphere to the album along with the short minimalistic creeper "Black Desert" which is vintage early Bathory. "The Fen" introduces more optimistic tones with its more light-hearted approach, but all goes to black/thrashing "hell" with the wild "Cellar Grave Vampire" and the headbanging closer "Under the Grudge".
"With Primeval Force" is another nod to the old school in all its rough glory the guys bashing with vigour with echoes of early Bathory, above all. "Metamorfosis" is a nice epic more melodic thrasher, but its mellow aesthetics are completely cancelled by impetuous ragers like "Skull Prayer". "Revenants" is a fabulous composition, an atmospheric progressive epicer with intriguing semi-technical riffs and great melodic undercurrents, the highlight here, showing the band exploring new more complex vistas.
"Rex" carries on in pretty much the same vein, the venomous approach more frequently finding its more melodic antidote in the form of the merry mid-pacer "Inspiritus" and the epic stomper "Pandemoni", another reference to Bathory, but the man's mid-period. In fact, at least half the material descends to calmer realms the guys even attempting something trippy and progressive on the idyllic delight "Anima" with more addictive melodies decorating the closing atmospheric thrasher "Melek-Taus".

Vampire Full-Length, 2014
With Primeval Force Full-Length, 2017
Rex Full-Length, 2020

Official Site

VANADIUM (AUSTRALIA)

Surprisingly good, and surprisingly classic-sounding for the time of release thrash with a heavy dark atmosphere recalling the late-80's Metallica period, among others. The guys mix heavy crushing riffs with faster more intense moments quite well, like on the opening "The Damage Done", but the better tracks are mid-paced with a sharp razor-like sound, in a good headbanging tempo: "Preacher Of Hate", the dark menacing "Sabotage The System". "Fight" goes over the top, starting like a ballad, before moving onto furious grinding passages which in their turn are replaced by finally some cool thrash, and this mix goes on until the end; quite unexpected, having in mind the consistent character of the previously heard material; could be considered the highlight by some, or the awkward, offbeat track by others. The heavy ballad "Pain" is a winner seeing the singer whose delivery resembles a slightly higher-pitched James Hetfield, and the lead guitarist do a very good job.

The Damage Done Full-length, 1995

VANAGLORIA (SPAIN)

These Spaniards provide nice power/thrash which is both modern and classic relying on heavy, crunchy rhythms which get dissipated on the few invigorating speedsters ("Donde Suben y Bajan Las Mareas", "Rompiendo Con el Destino", the furious closer "Sindrome"). "Pesadillas de Otra Realidad" is a fine orchestral gothic doomster slightly influencing the following "Purificacion" which is faster, but preserves the operatic arrangements. The best moments are those that combine the two sides (the speed and the doominess) in one song ("Manipulador de Almas") creating a lot of drama in the process. The singer has a husky death metal timbre which is hardly the right choice for this kind of music.
"Vestigios de lo Inhumano" exudes a lot of atmosphere from the very beginning, but the hard thrashing hasn't been completely forgotten although the mid-tempo cuts prevail this time. The symbiosis between the guitars and the keyboards is fairly intriguing as the most intense sections are preserved for the title-track which soars above the rest with its sharp lashing riffs. This is an operatic ambitious achievement which would be interesting for a wider gamut of fans.
“La SabiduriaInconcebible” sticks to the modern power/thrash formulas more, which aren’t exactly lethargic as “Letargic” tries to imply, an otherwise vivid operatic shredder that gets brushed aside by the headbanging impetuosity of “Proceso Irreversible” and the corrosive thrashing urgency of “Estantiga”. The melodious orchestral variations of “Piensa Dos Veces” are also more than welcome, as are the fast-paced histrionics unleashed on “El Ascenso de la Maldad”, the steady hoarse semi-clean vocalist sometimes descending to more attached cleaner croons.

Involucion Full-length, 2011
La Dine1mica del Miedo Full-length, 2014
Vestigios de lo Inhumano Full-length, 2016
Decadencia Full-length, 2018
La Sabiduría Inconcebible Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VANDAL (CHILE)

A promising debut of energetic retro speed/thrash the guys mixing the pace also adding quite a few tasteful melodic tunes (check the leads on "El Libro de las Mentiras"). Bullets like "Infierno Entre Rejas" and "Violenta Incineracion" will bang the heads with force while more engaging compositions like "Teyteyemen" offer a more intelligent, more varied approach. The vocals are gruff shouty but add up to the roller-coaster feel, even coming with a strangely more melodic timbre from time to time. Some of the musicians are also active with the classic thrashers Behead.

Repudio tu Existencia Full-length, 2017

Official Site

VANGUARD (USA)

Based on the full-length, this act provide classic progressive power/thrash which straddles between somewhat dreamy mid-pacers ("Mantis", "Into Others' Hands") and sudden outbursts of unbridled energy ("Phantom") the latter side not really convincing provided that the guys aren't really fond of it. There are a few attempts at a more complex song-writing ("Badlands", "Android") towards the end, but on those it's largely the clean mid-ranged vocalist who does a decent job as these are spacey laid-back pieces with echoes of Pain of Salvation.

Vanguard EP, 2013
The Power That You Hold Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VANISHER (USA)

The debut: modern melodic thrash with happy power metal moments; this is optimistic stuff which seldom bites with ferocity on a couple of more aggressive tracks: the headbanger "Spiraling Downward" and the sure-handed speed metal hammer "Feverish Crimes" which comes with great melodic leads. Otherwise the approach is mid-paced to semi-balladic with good clean attached vocals which are at times interrupted by gruffer death metal-ish ones. Some of the musicians were trying their hands on something harder with the deathcore formation Zero System before changing their name to the one here and softening the course.

"Unbound" hardens the course to a slight extent, and more aggressive cuts like "Seven Years Buried" and the speed metal joy "Ghosts Of Yesterday" will make the heads bang although the numerous softer sections will in their turn make them frown quite a bit. This is not bad music by any means; it's professionally done with a lot of heart put the guys aiming at the more romantic side of the metal fraternity, and would inevitably capture their attention with powerful semi-ballads like "Deceiver" and "Blood Red Sky". The melodic guitar work is admirable and will keep you hooked to the proceedings, but only in case of you put your hard-boiled thrash aspirations aside.

The History Of The Saints Full-Length, 2010
Unbound Full-length, 2012

Official Site

VANISHMENT (USA)

This is retro power/thrash which has its more elaborate side ("Dismiss the Warning"), but by-and-large this is heavy brooding stuff except the wilder more overtly thrashy "Severed Cord", the highlight laurels going to the nice "Killing the Sun", a dramatic semi-technical piece with a wider arsenal offered, the latter also offered on the dramatic epic closer "Lost Hope for Comfort", the attached semi-clean vocalist doing a good job there with his both passionate and confrontational inclusions. Some of the musicians are also occupied with the sludge/doomsters Stricken and the modern post-thrash formation Hell Promise.

No More Torture Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VANITY 4 (HOLLAND)

Based on "Zoon Politicon", this band offer classic thrash with a more avantgarde, semi-technical twist. The songs vary from funky variations to energetic thrash/crossover outbursts in the D.R.I., Nuclear Assault vein. Not bad, but the hectic approach, and the sudden, sometimes awkward switches from one style to another, might make someone dizzy.
The EP is a lesser achievement containing light-hearted modern heavy/power metal with casual more intense throw-ins (the mechanical speedster "Born Traumatic"; the surprising sterile headbanger "Xantia Xerxes").

Zoon Politicon Full-length, 1994
Unsolicited Material Full-length, 1997

VANITY RUINS (GERMANY)

Modern Swedish thrash/death metal with a more brutal attitude consequently staying closer to death metal; the pace is quite fast with the odd cool intense thrasher ("Wait") roaming around.

Demo Demo, 2008
Retina Full-Length, 2008

My Space

VANTABLACK WARSHIP (CANADA)

Based on "Last of Hardmouthed Poets", this act indulge in modern thrash/post-thrash that is assisted by very shouty hardcore vocals. The delivery ranges from squashing seismic strolls ("Hunting the Recruiter") to ear-splitting hardcore pieces ("40 Acres"), the guy not adhering to the groove too much, excluding the choppy steam-roller saga "Inside His Mind". Some of the band members are also occupied with the modern post-thrashers Foreshadow and the doom/stoner cohort Buffalo Theory MTL.

Vantablack Warship EP, 2015
Abrasive Pulmonic Speak Full-length, 2018
Last of Hardmouthed Poets Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VANTAGE (ITALY)

Old school speed/thrash on display here, expectedly, the lads bashing with passion, the all-instrumental roller-coaster "Trauma!" spearheading this short intense effort which also features the more controlled more complex "Cut His Throat" and the proto-death rager "Dead Man Drive". The singer spits the lyrics with venomous attached panache, matching the vitriolic music background on all counts. Some of the band members also played in another classic thrash outfit, To the Death.

Persecution Demo, 1988

Youtube

VAPENCILENS (SWEDEN)

The debut: noisy hysterical thrashcore with sudden death metal explosions which are ultimately marred by the awfully fuzzy guitar sound the latter bringing the band close to the industrial practitioners (Strapping Young Lad, among others). This is heavy steam-roller music with the fast moments appropriately inserted, but the bad sound quality and the very shouty vocals are a detriment which is hard to ignore. With some corrections made in the future this band could make more heads turn; now this noisy pretension at music won't hold water for very long even among the industrial and metalcore fraternity.

The hysteria continues unabated on "Bottenskrap" which is an even noisier affair with the abrasive guitars and the super-shouty hysterical vocals. The volcanic effect of the guys' approach remains since the pace very seldom moves above the mid if we exclude the surprising fast thrash/proto-deathster "Starta Gatuvdet" which stirs the mood big time although later nothing of the kind comes offered the songs becoming longer and more dragging. "Institutionaliserad" is a cool heavy shredder with industrial overtones, but don't bother with the closing "Smn" which is just ambient noises creating plenty of atmosphere, but comprising almost no music at all.

HAT 101 Full-Length, 2012
Bottenskrap Full-Length, 2013

VAPOR (USA)

Based on “Mass Mortality”, this act pull out heavy modern power/thrash which smites the listener from the get-go with the steam-roller seismicity of “Fire and Death”, the energetic layout retained for the most part thanks to uncompromising numbers like “The Executioner” and the earth-shaking “Nightmare”. Expect clean emotional vocals to replace the harsh death metal tirades on “Gutter Helmet”, and brutal death metal rhythms to overpower the innocent on “Numbskull”, the musical diversity amplified by the bouncy semi-technical “Dark Gods”. Some of the band members are also active with the post-thrash formation VX36.

A Violent Existence Full-length, 2012
Mass Mortality Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VAPULEADOR (ARGENTINA)

Based on "Cantico al Cosmos", this act serve intense old school thrash/death which easily races with the speed of light ("La Horda Del Tormento", "Agrio Verdadero"), the more intricate flair of "Virtud Absoluta" suggesting at bigger musical proficiency that doesn't get fully justified here, but the sheer vehemence of this slab is by all means worth of note, the harsh spiteful death metal vocalist creating more sinister drama around the exhausting hyper-active sonicscapes.

Aniquilacion Masiva Full-length, 2012
Animales del Caos Full-length, 2013
Violencia Ortodoxa Full-length, 2018
Cantico al Cosmos Full-length, 2022

Youtube

VARACAT (CANADA)

Very feelgood friendly modern power/post-thrash which "flirts" with both doom metal and the ballad/semi-ballad to ensure that the metal fanbase would approve of what they're doing while the strictly thrash metal audience will remain quite indifferent to this groovy barrage which is shaken (but not stirred) by the merry speedster "El Traidor". The vocalist has a warm clean voice which accompanies the soft music unerringly, even surpassing it in terms of quality.

Varacat Full-Length, 2015

Official Site

VARAMUS (CANADA)

This act deliver classic thrash/death with a blasting hyper-active engine running underneath, the soaring melodic tunes omnipresent, the more technical element embedded (“Entropic Endstille”) definitely working in the guys’ favour, the lofty “The Othello Syndrome” a really appetizing amalgam of fast appregios and feverish staccato rhythms. Some somber mid-=paced drama sneaks in on “Shai-Hulud”, but this is another highbrow exercise in speedy sweeps and tight technical shreds, “Lascivious Hollow” concentrating on the brutal side of the spectre for a change, the shouty death metal singer the perfect accompaniment to the precise entangled, aggressive musical delivery. Some of the musicians are also engaged in the progressive deathcore formation Shores of Leine.

Luminous Affliction Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VARGA (CANADA)

On their demos the guys played expertly-executed technical/progressive thrash of the old school, later re-visited in their "Metal" sagas in the new millennium. On "Prototype", however, the band, headed by Joe Varga (bass and vocals), play modern groovy numetal with industrial touches along the lines of later-period Skrew, or mid-90's Prong; not anything special with several passages which have nothing to do with metal, let alone thrash or post-thrash. There's also this alternative/grungy vibe ("Unconscience") that pops up inadvertently here and there, the playful radio-friendly tribute to KMFDM "Greed" another deviation, the heavy ballad "Self Proclaimed Messiah" the seeming highlight, the belligerent near-thrasher "The Strong" a close second, Varga's not bad clean attached vocals the major merit on this pedestrian not very sightly opus.
"Oxygen" trudges in a similar vein to its predecessor, the band serving more alternative, grunge and groove with metal now almost non-existent, the alternative rock sentiments permeating this outing to the very core, "Closed" a total take on the Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains heroics, only served with an abrasive industrialized flair. "Follow" follows the same abrasive noisy rockorama, the delivery hitting even less tolerable confines on the discordant ballad "The Passage", the dancey industrialisms on "So Real" sounding like a revelation after a string of banal semi-music attempts, "Words" another relative safebelt with its more imaginative Prong-esque deviations. "The Den" serves a more volatile, near-progressive structure, but again this is hardly metal in any form conceivable, with only "Red Ribbons" jamming with more verve and energy with a timid metallic echo. Even Varga's exploits behind the mike have taken a fall, now being synthesized and protracted, like the man tries to additionally exacerbate the environment with a deliberately unnerving performance.

"Enter the Metal": this is one of the most amazing transformations these ears (and eyes, and hands, and...) have ever witnessed. From the rehashed unimaginative groovisms on the first couple of albums, this act has turned into some of the most accomplished progressive/technical thrash metal outfits of recent times. Not so fast, buddy, cause these tunes aren't exactly new; those are re-mastered versions of the material from their demo days... anyway, "Beginning of the End" is an awesome way to open this reminiscence saga with its labyrinthine sections and riffy twists which will remind of Coroner, Watchtower, and Deathrow. "Gamera" is both longer and faster with some addictive lead sections, among the riff tapestries which are second to none. "Mad Scientist" is a hard-hitting shredder of the more immediate kind, and "Plane Crash" is a more relaxed power/thrasher which spits more friendly rhythms for nearly 8-min. "No More Clean Air" is a funky headbanger, quite eclectic, leaving the stage for the entry of the closer "Shark Attack" which is a Bay-Area thrashing number with echoes of Megadeth (think "Rust in Peace") where also the very good clean vocals belong, maybe a tad lower-pitched than the ones of Dave Mustaine. Yes, indeed, "the metal" has entered, and hopefully it's here to stay...
"Return of the Metal" is chapter two from the guys' "down the memory lane" spell; in other words, more old re-invented sounds from their demo period have been presented, and as such it's quite similarly-structured to the previous effort, six lengthy compositions again with numerous twists and turns which are quickly introduced with the opening "Three Section Staff". The complicated formula is gracefully followed by the remainder being addictively melodic on the hectic "After Life Comes", and technically puzzling on the Coroner-esque "Disfigured Gargoyle". "Evil Drifters" is a mid-tempo creeper with a hypnotic main riff reminiscent of Annihilator. Enters "Money Talks", and not only "money", but the guitars also start "talking" producing some great technical landscapes mixed with sudden headbanging passages to a fairly positive effect. Comes "Far East Super Slaughter" to end this masterpiece with a portion of whirlwind riffage, stop-and-go techniques, and a nice dramatic accumulation near the end assisted by a nice technical rhythm. "Metal has returned", and Joe Varga and Co. seem like one of its most distinguished purveyors right now...

Prototype Full-length, 1993
Oxygen Full-length, 1995
Enter the Metal Full-length, 2013
Return of the Metal Full-length, 2014

Official Site

VARGBYTE (USA)

Based on the "Unholy Deity" EP, these folks serve modern thrash with shouty death metal vocals. The music is both nervy and semi-technical (the jumpy "Necromancing Catacombs") and linear and melodic the latter current quite close to early In Flames. The lead guitarist is the undisputable star of the show, his delightful melodic licks decorating this otherwise pedestrian effort.

Northbound EP, 2019
Unholy Deity EP, 2020

Official Site

VARGSKELETHOR (SWEDEN)

Based on "Skeleton Metal III", this one-man (the name Joel Johansson) project specializes in classic thrash with a hefty atmospheric vibe which even stays around for the more aggressive cuts ("Viral Warfare", the brutal semi-deathster "Church of Skeletons"). The prevalent tone is more on the mid-tempo side, though, if we also exclude the short speed metal sagas "Speed Metal Spooker" and "Skeleton Treasure".

The Revnarok Full-length, 2014
Skeleton Metal EP, 2014
Skeleton Metal 2 EP, 2015
Skeleton Metal III Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VARIANT VELOCITY (USA)

A talented young outfit who specialize in highly-technical progressive classic thrash which is all-instrumental. Style-wise this is fairly elaborate stuff rubbing shoulders with Deathrow's "Deception Ignored" and Sieges Even's "Life Cycle", so prepare for some not very easy to swallow rifforamas on "Cosmic Mastery" which guitar wizardry, or rather "mastery", featuring the requisite dreamy passage in the middle, but what surrounds it may be a bit hard to follow. Still, the guys are impeccable musicians who also provide several more intense headbanging sections on "Insulate Mass" that same piece a labyrinthine piece of the hard-hitting type without any mellower distractions. "Forgery" is the most immediate cut here still thrashing with vision also graced by very cool melodic leads. "A New Product" is apparently the "the new product", a very entertaining roller-coaster with hard thrashing rhythms which are mostly of the mid-tempo variety, but their dramatic flavour should be a winner the blazing leads and the thundering bass bottom another asset. This is a really promising start for this formation who may be just as fine carrying on in the all-instrumental field without adding vocals (remember what happened to Mastery...).

Insulate Mass Demo, 2014

VARIX (GERMANY)

Based on the "Tribute to Fate" demo, this act play competent progressively-minded power/thrash which is not very fast, but pulls it out due to the proficient execution which shouldn't be a surprise having in mind that two of the musicians involved here also took part in the progressive/technical thrash metal masters Skeptic Sense. The music at display isn't as exuberant but delivers with its calculated complexity which recalls a more thought-out version of mid-period Iced Earth with flashes of old school speed/thrash ("Dreamgate") added here and there. The singer manages to keep up with the quality of the music with his high-strung dramatic performance, maybe a bit too dramatic at times.

The "Harmonic Distortion" demo sees the band elaborating their sound with longer compositions, but the ideas they have aren't enough to make those lengthy tracks very interesting. On top of that the sound quality is murky making the guitars sound dull without an edge. They have done a much better job in recent years under the name Entente having produced two very good demos of classic technical/progressive speed/thrash.

Morbus Cron Demo, 1991
Tribute to Fate Demo, 1993
Harmonic Distortion Demo, 1995

VARKAN (USA)

A retro power/thrash hybrid which crosses Metal Church with Meliah Rage; in other words, expect mostly a mid-paced approach spiced with the casual more lyrical balladic moment ("Eclipse of My Soul") and the more epic, attention-grabbing configuration ("Rats from a Sinking Ship"). "Nocturnal Pollutions" thrashes with more intensity, and "The Wound Never Heals" and "Born on Samhain" nod in the direction of Blind Guardian and Manticora with the more progressive layout, the very cool emotional clean singer facilitating those lofty attempts.

Varkan Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VARNOK (USA)

The demo: aggressive retro thrash with an awful sound quality; in fact, the sound is so bad that few will be those to stay with this recording till the end since the constant buzz and the hollow drums will pierce their brain. Otherwise this is bashing stuff with very noisy guitars, all-instrumental, which starts making sense on the long 7-min shredder "Eighth Legion" which keeps the pace up the whole time showing what the guys would be able to produce if they manage to find better recording conditions.
The "Plutonian Cyborg" EP boasts much better production qualities the band lashing remorseless speedy riffs to no end, also offering something more ambitious and more engaging ("Evolution's Cure") without letting on the aggression. Direct ripping thrash is what one will encounter on "Lobotomobile", but watch out for the short crossover-ish tornado "Nuclear Death Raiders of Doom", the possible highlight on this short hyper-active effort.
The “Anthropogenic” EP is a crisp nicely polished affair, the guys finding their stride with fast lashing riffs on the headbangers’ winner “Who Goes There”, “Tickling the Dragon's Tail” following the same not very compromising path with a marginally more intricate lustre provided. Expect some expert lead sections on the equally vehement “Anticop”, before familiar tunes from the past befall your ears: two cuts from the 2015 demo, namely “Eighth Legion” (re-titled “The Deluge of Fire”) and “Terror Beast” (re-titled “Transient Beings”), both finely fitting the moshing nature of the new material, “Revenant” shooting another portion of fiery bursting riffs for dessert.

Demo Demo, 2015
Nuclear Death Raiders of Doom EP, 2016
VRNK EP, 2018
Plutonian Cyborg EP, 2019
Anthropogenic EP, 2021

Official Site

VARUA INO (FRENCH POLYNESIA)

This is friendly post-thrash its only more intense effect coming form the low-tuned semi-death metal vocals. Expect mellow riffage clinging too much towards the ballad/semi-ballad often acquiring heavy metal tendencies after which it has problems getting out. The production is clear, and the guitars have a bite here and there (the more dynamic shredder "Incest"); it's just that there's not much here to appeal to the regular thrash metal fan.

Scum Full-Length, 1997

VASALLA (JAPAN)

Based on "Tsume", this band play playful radio-friendly power/post-thrash which is very uplifting and jolly. The thrash metal audience won't be amused except for a while on the abrasive headbanger "Brainstorm". The vocals are very typical for the Japanese scene melodic high-strung ones and are apparently the main asset on this pedestrian recording.

Insanity EP, 1995
Tsume Full-length, 1996
Aurora EP, 1998
Rise of Insanity EP, 2010

VASSAL OF DECADENCE (USA)

Instrumental death/thrash, more on the classic side, done by just one person (the name Dylan Berube); the music is an able cross between leads and riffs the latter taking a bit more space, and the fans will enjoy engaging gallopers like "Lust", or more restrained pounders like "Gluttony". Later on really speedy sweeps ("Violence", of course, is the sole exception) are nowhere to be heard the band finding their own path, of heavy mid-paced shred with the odd semi-technical shade ("Heresy"). The guitars are a bit fuzzy and give the whole effort a characteristic, archaic colouring.
"Pariah": the all-instrumental thrashing spree is in full display once again Berube incorporating a more dispassionate sterile shred for an unmitigated change, the quiet balladic intro on "This Rotten Home" another desirable deviation although this cut is impetuous thrash to the bone, the more lyrical melodic walkabouts left for the short "Heart of the Hollow" and the more diverse, volatile "Hide and Seek". Towards the end Berube embarks on a more hard-hitting moshing journey reflected in the intensely dramatic character of "Reprisal" and the immediate, near-bashing side of "Hunters Become the Prey", the atmospheric dark vibes of the closing "A Village Buried" a pleasant introspective surprise.

Inferno Full-Length, 2014
Taking the Throne Full-length, 2015
Pariah Full-length, 2019

Facebook

VASTATOR (CHILE)

Vastator mix traditional metal with excellent speed/thrash, similar to Agent Steel's "Skeptic Apocalypse". The bass work is particularly striking: this guy is one of the finest bass players in the world right now. "Guia Para Odiar a Tu Projimo" is actually a compilation of the band's older material, consisting of demos mostly, and reveals fine speed/thrash metal with direct mighty sharp riffs, quite fast-paced, and a singer who sings gruffly, semi-cleanly most of the time, recalling Mark Shelton from Manilla Road, but when he screams, he easily reaches John Cyriis, although this doesn't happen very often. Some of the longer tracks have their quiet, slower sections, but the predominant sound is quite intense, spiced by more melodic hooks and strong bass support.
"The Night of San Juan" is more varied and considerably slower, with some songs carrying a certain epic element, recalling, again, mid-period Manilla Road, and the concentration is not as much on speed anymore. The riffs are heavy, thrashy, but the lack of more energy makes them sound a bit forced. "Mongolian Mea" is a cool reminder of the debut, but there are not too many of the kind; the other attempt in this vein "Avenger" is more of a nod to the 90's power/speed metal scene.
"Hell Only Knows" is a fairly good comeback for the guys. The opening "Hell Only Knows" is explosive brutal speed/thrash/black, and the soaring hellish ala Rob Halford (think the "Painkiller") vocals sound almost surreal on this background. The aggression goes on on the excellent "Inner Fury", where one hears the previous Mark Shelton singing style coming back; this song is major intense thrash metal with a very good bass-bottom again. The epic sound is not too late to manifest itself on the excellent doom-measured "Soul Of Heroes". "Unbreakable" is 2-min of pounding power/thrash metal, but "Bloodline" keeps the album on doomy/epic fields for another while. "Pounding Hearts" is first-rate galloping power/speed metal ala Helstar, and "Evilution (The New Step)" rages on bringing forward brutal blast-beats: another surreal touch compared to the more controlled power/thrashy rest. "Mansion En Llamas" provides a very desirable technical edge, and is very close to winning a place even on "Nosferatu". "Maxima Entropia" is a remastered version of an early track of theirs with a more accentuated bass bottom, and the closing "Monserator" is glorious speed/thrash in the best tradition of Manticora and Hellfire. These guys are back indeed, and in a way better than many of the much more famous names from the 80's.

"Machine Hell" is another commendable release although its relation to thrash metal is not very big the guys concentrating more on the power/speed metal side of the spectre, and the album comes as a capable blend of Judas Priest's "Painkiller" and mid-period Helstar (think "Remnants of War", above all). The band alternates fast tracks with slower epic ones, but it's on the 4th song, "X-Terminate", when they start thrashing with more power with the hellish Halford-esque screams brought to the fore again. Things don't get any faster from this one, though, and later on there's one tender semi-operatic ballad ("Reminiscense") lasting for whole 5-min. Energetic galloping riffs can be heard near the end ("Punado de Almas", and elsewhere), before another speed metal killer ("El Ultimo Grito en el Infierno") wraps it up nicely. Ha ha, this is not the end, however: it's the epic progressive opus "Caleuche" which closes on more than 11-min covering a wide range of moods and tempos. This effort definitely has its charm, and is not such a distant departure from the band's previous output, but still the thrash metal fan will not be highly amused by those softening tendencies.
"Gentlemen's Club": it's good to see the Chilean veterans back on the field after nearly a decade of inactivity, but this opus is an epic progressive power/speed metal saga, above all, with a cool cover of Grim Reaper's "Rock You to Hell"; there's no thrash here under any form save for the rowdy pulverizer "All 4 One".

Guia Para Odiar a Tu Projimo, Antologia 1988-1998 Full-length, 1999
The Night of San Juan Full-length, 2001
Hell Only Knows Full-length, 2007
Machine Hell Full-length, 2010
Gentlemen's Club Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VASTNESS (BRAZIL)

Based on the "Vanished Lifes" demo, these folks serve raucous aggressive old school thrash which is accompanied by brutal death/hardcore vocals. "Hypocondriac" comes with a shade of hardcore, and "Repression In The Night" is an intense basher with echoes of Morbid Saint. Two very amateurish live versions follow suit, the guys exiting with covers of Slayer's "Postmortem" and Metallica's "Enter Sandman", the Slayer one much more confidently executed.

Good Night! Demo, 1991
Vanished Lifes Demo, 1993

My Space

VASTNESS (POLAND)

Classic thrash/death which rises to the occasion with the aggressive bombastic “Purgatory” and the more moderate, also more technical shredder “Worship Demons”. The volcanic seismicity of the short “Desolation” is well acknowledged, as are the more intricate leanings of “Poisoned Tongues”. Expect ravaging thrash/death madness to befall you on the semi-technical instrumental “Between the Lines”, the singer siding with the deathly hallows more with his pronounced guttural tirades. Some of the musicians are also engaged with the black metallers Infernal Legion.

Entire Mortal Race Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VATHOKIJA (JAPAN)

This is the guitar virtuoso She-ja's (Volcano, Gargoyle, etc.) first band. Based on the debut demo, this act provide varied, messy thrash/crossover She-ja by all means the star of the show with his crazy pyrotechnics which are simply too good for an average recording like that. The sloppy production stands on every musician's way particularly hurting the singer whose semi-declamatory punky semi-shouts are at least charmingly naive and not overbearing.

Demo Demo, 1987
Demo Demo, 1988

Official Site

VATICAN (USA)

Based on the demo, this outfit provide playful speed/thrash which preserves its laid-back tone all over highlighted by very good emotional high-strung vocals ala less screamy David Wayne (R.I.P., Metal Church), or a more attached Mike Munro (Meliah Rage). Formidable gallops on "5th Of Metal" will make you jump around before "The Ripper" "rips" you apart with more intense speedy decisions. "Pleasure Grave" is more relaxed power metal, but the closing "Mistreater" is vintage early Agent Steel, a speed metal attack second to none with tasteful lead guitar licks. This was an auspicious start for this obscure act, and it's sad that they hid from sight right after it...
The compilation contains the band's previous three demos which show the guys in a slightly more restrained power/thrash metal mode, but entertaining nonetheless unleashing the formidable galloper "Ride the Lightning (Never Strikes Twice)" and the speed metal winner "The Power Lord". "Power is Obsession" is a rigorous speed/thrashing cut before the epic "The Beast" calms the ball down. It stays calm till the end although "Dragons Without Fire" is an impetuous power/speedster with Savatage and Liege Lord-esque overtones. The singer shines all over with his emotional Jon Oliva-like performance covering all ranges unflinchingly the abrasive, but inspired riff-patterns following unerringly his mood swings. This band are a true gem, and one may regret it that they never managed to find a well deserved place under then metal sun. The band guitarist Scott von Heldt continued his career under his own name for the release of two EP's and one full-length (in the early/mid-90's) of shredding instrumental metal; and also tried to keep the Vatican flame alive in the early-90's, together with other Vatican members, under the moniker Marquis de Sade for the production of two demos in the early-90's.

Answer to the Master Demo, 1990
Metalmorphosis Compilation, 2014

Official Site

VATICAN SPECTRUM (SPAIN)

Based on the full-length debut, these lads provide brisk intense retro thrash which on "Liars" is also served with several intriguing elements, the authoritative semi-clean vocalist conducting the arrangements with panache and spite. "Vatican Spectrum" and "Scythe on Their Heads" rush onward with very little remorse, and "To Live Before to Die" nonchalantly introduces a few more intricate decisions. "Spread the Blood" is the odd choppy mid-pacer, and "Evil Sons" is both a melodic and brutal surprise, the latter due to a gust of unbridled deathly strokes.
"Satanic Mantra" is another hyper-active entry into the band's discography, the seismic opener "The King of Thieves" ably assisted by the proto-death bomb "True Resurrection is a Possession" and the equally venomous "Live the Resistance". The mosh carries on unabated later on, "Call Me At 666" thrashing the neigbourhood with ease, with more bashing death metal served on the ferocious closer "Where is Emanuela".

Vatican Spectrum EP, 2020
Ave Satan Full-length, 2022
Satanic Mantra Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VATICIDE (AUSTRALIA)

There's only one musician in charge here, the alias Habatu, who specializes in quite cool choppy retro thrash/death with a nice semi-technical sting, the overall delivery not far from the one of early Deicide. Sophisticated brutalizers like "Rotting Flesh" and "Hungry for Blood" will invariably leave memories in the listener's mind, the shouty intimidating vocals of Habatu a more standard ingredient, but fitting enough, especially on the more aggressive repertoire, to which also belongs the hectic delight "Descent" and the stupendous atmospheric shredder "Hate". Watch out also for "Soul Sacrifice", a mesmerizing varied thrash/deathster with echoes of Psycroptic and Deeds of Flesh.

Vaticide Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VATIKA (HOLLAND)

Modern power/thrash not far from Fight's "War of Words" with quite good versatile vocals from which the operatic King Diamond-esque side is particularly impressive. "Inside This House" and "The Gathering" throw things into classic thrash direction with their less bridled headbanging rhythms, but it's the seismic officiant heaviness of cuts like the doomy stomper "Medusas Island" and the macabre creeper "Never Again" that capture the imagination more fully although the more brutal thrashers keep coming till the end with "Vatika" being another admirable mosher towards the end.

Act No:1 Full-Length, 2018

Facebook

VATOMICA (SLOVENIA)

Aggressive rough thrash/death which is nearly a constant bash all over, the choppy rhythms on "I Am On My Side" creating the impression that the guys can actually play better, but this is the wrong one since after the near-grinding amateurish "Green" the delivery goes in the gutter where also the barely heard semi-declamatory vocals belong, and the very muddy sound quality.

The New Breed of Reality Demo, 1990

VATOMICA (USA)

Amateurish unrehearsed thrash with a really bad sound quality and barely heard death-ish vocals. This is bashing violent stuff which turns to grindcore on "Dead Kiss (Of My Life)" and elsewhere, but who cares in the long run?

Inside Of The Void Demo, 1989

VAULT (BRAZIL)

Modern power/post-thrash which is on the sleepy, mid-tempo to doomy side of things, and starts moving around with the more volatile "Mind" and the surprisingly semi-speedy "Nosferatus", but generally this is music for the less demanding 90's generation the singer producing a relatively convincing performance with an attached semi-clean timbre.

Dread Within EP, 2020

Youtube

VAULT (MALAYSIA)

Speedy retro thrash, jolly and unpretentious, turning to pure speed metal on the roller-coaster "Heavy Metal Attack" which influences the next two tracks leaving the thrash beginning a bit behind. The singer is gruff and low-tuned with a strong drunken shade. The guys also play similar, maybe a tad more melodic, stuff with their other formation Antacid.

Fuck off and Die!!! EP, 2009

VAULT OF PAIN (SERBIA)

Based on the full-length, this act provide heavy groovy post-thrash mixed with more appropriate faster outbursts the latter not far from the modern thrashcore arena. This is noisy repetitive stuff which at least keeps the steady mid-pace throughout with the aggro-shouty vocals being the major irritation alongside the constantly abrasive guitar sound.

It's Your Life EP, 2008
Devastation of Humanity EP, 2009
Devastation of Humanity Full-length, 2011

Youtube

VECTIS (PORTUGAL)

Based on the "Devastation of Humanity" EP, this is rough semi-amateurish old school speed/thrash supported by a bit better shouty death metal vocals. A lot of noise from the production sector mars this recording quite a bit, the delivery being energetic the entire time, "Warriors of Hell" making the most sense with its ripping vintage speed metal flair, a distinct qualifier for Helloween's "Walls of Jericho".

It's Your Life EP, 2008
Devastation of Humanity EP, 2009
Devastation of Humanity Full-length, 2011

Official Site

VECTOM (GERMANY)

"Speed Revolution" will hardly cause a "speed revolution", but is a fine slab of the mentioned in the title style. All songs impersonate the genre very well, and this album, along with the early works of Helloween and the Germans Warrant's debut EP, have done a lot to establish speed metal on the European metal scene. Vectom's style is more simplistic and direct, with a clear nod to thrash, and unlike the other two aforementioned acts, they never break the speedy pattern, adding slower, mid-paced numbers. Variety is hardly the key-word when talking about this album, but this is a good headbanging fun all the way.

"Rules of Mystery", from a thrash metal point of view, is the lesser work; the speed is by all means here, but the guitar sound has become more proficient, and nice melodic hooks can be heard here and there, plus improved bass performance. The style now resembles Helloween quite a bit, as well as Iron Angel's "Winds of War", and "Why Am I Alive" finally pauses for a break, being a heavy/power metal number, not even half as fast as the rest of the songs. This is not too bad, by the way, since there are later on definitely more diverse, interesting songs, like the excellent "Feelings of Freedom", which is a nice blend of pounding, up-tempo riffage and very fast-paced one. When "Elixir or Death" comes with a more melodic and slower guitar sound one can't help, but frown a bit, since the obligatory solitary deviation has already been introduced, and now a second one of the kind would diminish the impact; a situation, saved by the much better speed/thrashing numbers "Caught by Insanity" and "Evil Run" at the end. The guys looked well set to join the forefront of the speed/thrash metal movement in Europe, but this remained their swansong.

Speed Revolution Full-length, 1985
Rules of Mystery Full-length, 1986

Vibrations of Doom

VEDONIST (POLAND)

Vedonist are one of the young hopes of the Polish metal scene, and the presence of two talented guitarists, who also take part in the speed/thrash masters Hellfire, ensure plenty of memorable guitar hooks. The comparison between the two bands, however, ends here, since Vedonist are decidedly the more brutal act, with their roots deep in the retro thrash/death metal camp. The music on the debut is brisk thrash/death metal with more nods to thrash, and very brutal low-tuned death metal vocals. The guys stick to the conventional, not very fast approach, with quite a few technical moments, which produce fine interesting numbers: "Host Of Human Desires", "Break The Disembodied Altar", which remind of Infernal Majesty's "Holier Than Thou". "A Moment Of Reflection" is a really good "acoustic versus lead" instrumental, followed by the closing 9-min opus "Anhedonia Society", which surprisingly sounds too conventional compared to the aforementioned much shorter tracks, and although the riffs are heavy and fast for most of the time, the slower, almost epic passages, albeit not that frequent, seem to lack focus and edge.
"The World Of Reversed Decalogue" is a much superior companion to the debut, again sounding closer to thrash. The lead guitar work is better, courtesy of the talented Xan (Hellfire), who overshadows the others on quite a few times, and the technical leanings are much more, producing the best songs from the band's discography: the nice thrashy monster with the "smelly" title "Anus Mundi", the fine technical riff-fest "Dead Chimneys Monument", the twisted symphony "Patients Of The Slaughterhouse", the 7-min of non-stop display of technical brilliance "Sonderkommando", and above all the closing "Lux In Tenebris Lucet", with Xan in top form gain, ably supported by the rhythm section, which is quite jumpy and hectic, and more aggressive with a death metal edge, which would make even their compatriots from Sceptic sit down and listen. This is a really cool album showing the guys more inspired playing with confidence and proficiency making waves on the technical metal scene although their full potential is yet to be realised.

"A Clockwork Chaos" is hardly this realisation the guys epitomizing a very mechanical robotic sound recalling Pestilence's "Doctrine" quite a bit even going into more abstract territories akin to Meshuggah ("At the Feet Of Christ") on occasion. The leads are the only saviour here their expert delivery ensuring the bits ad pieces of melody encountered their stylish mazey outbursts being too short, unfortunately. "Nhac Do" is the only reminder of the hectic unpredictable style of the preceding two albums; on the rest the sterile shredding may come as too much for the more classic-prone fanbase who may also be quite disappointed by the shift in style.

Awaking to Immortality Full-length, 2005
The World Of Reversed Decalogue Full-length, 2008
A Clockwork Chaos Full-Length, 2013

Official Site

VEGAN REICH (USA)

Based on the debut EP, this trio, who are very passionate defenders of the vegan idea and animal rights among other more or less interesting causes, pull out dynamic thrashcore ala D.R.I. and Attitude Adjustment. This is uplifting up-tempo stuff supported by not bad semi-clean/semi-declamatory inebriate vocals.

Hardline EP, 1990
Jihad EP, 1999

VEHEMENCE (USA)

Rough-around-the-edges, also fairly vehement, retro thrash/crossover which is pure Cryptic Slaughter-esque rage on the title-track and the maddening bash “Question Your Down Fall”, the guys calming down to a small extent on the still intense “Raw Rats”, before “Crimson Death” exhibits some musical proficiency with a slab of stylish screamy leads. More niceties with the balladic intro to “Impositioned Propriety” which is an otherwise abrasive entangled thrasher, the vocal exploits ranging from semi-declamatory hardcore insertions to vicious deathly grunts. Earlier some of the band members took part in the speed/thrashers Crimson Death.

Good Shot! Gang Member Dies... Demo, 1992

Youtube

VEHEMENCE (CANADA)

Tenebrous mid-paced heavy thrash which is still more on the classic side, the steady consistent riffage on "The Third Hand" recalling the Bay-Area, the lyrical balladic "Threatening Redemption" turning the tides as there's nothing truly threatening on it, but once the remaining cuts exude the same melancholic sniff, the listener will lose interest although the mid-ranged clean vocalist isn't such a throwaway.

Senses EP, 1993

Official Site

VEHEMENCIA (ARGENTINA)

Classic power/thrash, quite reminiscent of the exploits of the band's compatriots Hermetica and Horcas; this is calmer mid-paced stuff which becomes occasionally more intimidating ("La Mascara del Bien"), the speed metal histrionics of "El Final" the most lively occurrence alongside the steady fast-paced stream epitomized for La Cornisa". The singer is a nice appendage with his consistently attached clean timbre.

Mundo Suicida Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VEHEMENT (ITALY)

Good retro thrash not miles away from the more recent Exodus efforts and the last Onslaught offering; so apart from the edgy retro guitars one will come across several modern moments which alternate throughout the album, as more preference is given to the former. There is a good balance found between the all-out fast thrashers which touch the Bay Area more than occasionally, and the slower moody ones. Watch out for the excellent "No Reason to Fight For" near the end, which seamlessly blends the two trends finished with a magnificent melodic doom outro, very close to the best one on the metal scene: remember Candlemass's "Cry from the Crypt".

All That's Behind Full-length, 2008

Official Site

VEHEMENT (USA, Illinois)

Cool heavy classic thrash crossing the Slayer-esque aggression with the stomping approach on Sacred Reich's "The American Way" adding the odd proto-death riff ala Devastation from time to time (the excellent speedy thrash/deathster "Inhale The Mist"). The speed gets "lost" (but not "forever", thank god) on the galloping thrasher "Forever Lost", and on the short acoustic instrumental "Creation", which is really a nice atmospheric "creation". "Intergalactic Landmarks" jumps in mid-pace, too, but inserts cool technical licks which stay around for the next "Overtrolled" which is a fine blend of fast and heavy sections. The headbangers will welcome "Prepare For War", and especially the raging death/thrash closer "Procrehatred". The singer has a gruff semi-death/semi-angry timbre which gives the album a slight modern colouring. Some of the band members also helped Carcass Chris from Usurper around the same time with his side-project Eternal Hatred where they played pure classic death metal. Later they changed their name to Conglomeratorz with which they have two albums released.

Unbalanced For Mankind Full-length, 1999

VEHEMENT (USA, Indiana)

An obscure trio who specializes in the typical for the time groovy post-thrash the difference coming from the more brutal death-tinged vocals; the guitar work is predictably heavy, but the pace seldom varies being in the mid-parameters. Some cool leads can be heard, and generally the riffage is really heavy and crushing, but 11 songs of the same heaviness aren't very easy to carry even by fans of Pantera and Puncture to whom this album will most likely appeal.

Sour Ground Full-length, 1995

VEINS (ITALY)

Modern thrash with dry sterile guitars and shouty semi-death metal vocals; the guys rely on not very melodic chugs to pull it through, and although they succeed in making things more attractive at times ("Dawn"), this largely happens due to the more lyrical additions like the excellent melodic lead guitar work. The dominant mid-paced delivery is seldom broken "Take My Hand" being one of the few exceptions also bringing some technical flair to the mechanical proceedings. The main vocal style is death metal-esque, harsh and vociferous but nice female croons can be heard from time to time.

Innocence Full-Length, 2017

VEKTOR (USA)

Based on "Black Future", these guys pull out quite good technical/progressive speed/thrash metal sounding quite fast and aggressive for most of the time, a tendency clearly shown with the opening "Black Future" recalling late-80's/early-90's Kreator, among other acts. With each subsequent song things become more elaborate although the following "Oblivion" is also fast-paced incorporating elements from late-period Death and a couple of great melodic leads near the end. "Destroying the Cosmos" carries on in the same vein now recalling the speed metal scene of the 90's "decorating" the speedy approach with a nice balladic break and sparse blast- beats at the end. "Forests of Legend" is the first more serious take on a more progressive song-writing preserving the fast-paced riffage all over, also providing great balladic intro and outro. "Hunger for Violence" is exemplary speed/thrash with not much technicality, except for a short twisted Coroner-like riffage in the middle, racing with the speed of light. "Deoxyribonucleic Acid" is more controlled in the beginning resulting in more complexity, but also more melody in the lead department mostly; watch out for the second half where blasting death metal will reach your ears. "Asteroid" is all-out speed once again, no technical play here, even smelling crossover at times. The end will surprise even the most optimistic: two long compositions of exemplary progressive thrash combining fast headbanging sections, very technical guitars, mellower interludes, a bit of death metal, 90's power/speed, and more. This is quite a treat definitely reaching outside the thrash metal "box" to a wider gamut of fans, and can easily be classified as "the fastest progressive metal act in the world" at the moment.
"Demolition" is a sure-handed debut starting with one of the most impressive intros of recent years: the technical instrumental shred "Spiral Galaxy" which within less than 2-min will manage to warm you up in a way much better than many much longer songs, and to these ears remains the highlight of the album. Then the guy's staple high-speed technical delivery steps in with "Oblivion" (later remastered and included in the follow-up, again as a second song) and never steps down. If the former was a more conventional take on speed/thrash, "Fast Paced Society" puts the complexity on a much higher level with the mid-section being much slower than the rest albeit not bad at all with its meandering progressive structure. "Venus Project" begins in the most abstract spacey way with weird clinging guitars, but soon after the guys start moshing pretty hard touching death metal as opposed to another peaceful mid-break where the clinging weirdness comes back this time accompanied by great technical riffs. "Destroying the Cosmos", another piece later included on the sophomore album, follows a similar pattern with a calm surreal intro, but the speed here is more controlled, and the middle part is quite an experience bringing back the beginning supported by twisted illogical riffs which may puzzle the listener quite a bit who will partly be saved by the lead-driven blast-beats at the end. "Moonbase" is a monstrous composition lasting for nearly 13-min which breaks the "fast start-slow middle-fast end" pattern and is surprisingly laid-back in terms of speed creeping slowly forward with technical mid-paced riffs that are not bad at all creating a hallucinogenic claustrophobic atmosphere; it's just that to listen to them for a quarter of an hour without any more dynamic attempts made by the guys may prove a tiring experience to some. The closing "Tetrastructural Minds" predictably switches onto a faster play, and is a satisfying piece of clever up-tempo technicality with frequent slower passages which again score high in the abstract twisted department.

Although the band's style may remind of several past and present practitioners, it clearly shows a tendency towards individuality and a more characteristic approach rather than conscious emulation and sticking to safer already established patterns. While the follow-up sees an act with already well honed "weapons" ready to do a damage on a wider scale, the debut is less convincing sticking to the aforementioned repeated formula for most of the time although when the guys decide to break it, this "break" takes gigantic proportions ("Moonbase") sounding like it would never end. While this is hardly a major setback, here comes the singer whose hysterical high-pitched black-ish rasps are not exactly the most suitable choice for the music, but again add up nicely to the original interpretation the band gives to the more though-out side of metal.

"Outer Isolation" is the next chapter from the cyber-progressive speed/thrash metal saga which now offers a less bridled death metal brutality on the eye-opener "Cosmic Cortex": 10-min of intense varied music which except for those blasting death metal moments, develops in a more moderate, less speedy fashion. "Echoless Chamber" could easily fit into the first three Destruction full-lengths with its fiery stylish riffs although the puzzling mid-break would betray it. "Dying World" is a mid-paced creeper which gradually becomes faster and faster until it becomes the staple for the band progressive speed/thrasher in the second half. "Tetrastructural Minds" sounds like a more technical version of the Swedish melo-thrash wave and will remind of Darkane who are a fairly close soundalike elsewhere, too. "Venus Project" is a really stylish technical piece with a great quiet interlude, a clever puzzler with Coroner-esque overtones. "Dark Creations, Dead Creators" is a short technical thrasher packing sharp hectic riffs within 3.5-min. "Fast Paced Society" is another complex mix of Destruction and progressive, a compelling piece with fast technical guitars and a few more melodic licks, mostly in the lead department. The closing title-track is top-notch progressive speed/thrash, a textbook of immaculate technical riffage and abstract more temperate passages including a surreal, spacey one at the end. There's nothing here which doesn't seem perfect if we exclude the surprising death metal inclusions in the beginning, and perhaps the characteristic husky vocals which witch-like black metal qualities may be a pullback to some. It's clear that these guys aren't kidding, but have all the serious intentions to play a major role on the scene at present, and for a good reason.
"Terminal Redux": five years is too big a gap for a band intent on establishing themselves on the front of the metal echelon, but this talented outfit make it worth the wait. "Charging The Void" is a larger-than-life opener, a 9-min saga covering a wide gamut of moods and influences ending up being the definitive extreme progressive metal hymn. "Cygnus Terminal" moves closer to thrash with the creepy technical riff-patterns, but don't expect many easy to grasp moshing passages during its over 8-min duration. "LCD (Liquid Crystal Disease)" is a nice speed/thrashing progressiver with a wild death metal-ish exit; and "Ultimate Artificer" follows a very similar path of hyper-active progressive thrash which is again supported by death metal on "Pteropticon". "Psychotropia" doesn't leave the confines of thrash during its nearly 8-min the guys producing a very dynamic, not very predictable masterpiece of highly technical metal which is more atmospheric on "Pillars Of Sand" (check the breath-taking leads on this one), and more linear and balladic on "Collapse", the only unmitigated pullback here. The closing 13.5-min "Recharging The Void" is an encyclopaedia of progressive metal covering everything known within the genre, summing up all heard earlier into an entertaining, albeit a bit overdone amalgam. There's nothing wrong with this album; on the contrary, the band continue their ascension having chosen the more extreme way to do it rather than opting for a calmer, more controlled path which so many extreme metal practitioners have voted to tread in recent times in order to "shed their old skin".

Demolition Demo, 2006
Black Future Full-length, 2009
Outer Isolation Full-length, 2011
Terminal Redux Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VELLADONNA (JAPAN)

This is power/melo-thrash which treads the path between the old and the modern school, but the balance hasn't been as well achieved as, say, Sex Machine Guns and Volcano, the mediocre musical delivery further hampered by the flat unemotional clean vocals. There are a few energetic numbers to stir the blood, but generally this is boring uninspired stuff which also tries to flirt with industrial at some stage. Some of the musicians did a much better job a few years earlier with the retro thrashers Thread Worm.

Chaos Full-Length, 1999

VELLOCET (GERMANY)

A blend of hardcore and thrash from the early days of the German thrash metal scene, but less impressive than the majority of the practitioners at the time. Their second album has nothing to do with thrash, being melodic heavy/power metal.

Captive of Reality Full-length, 1986
Welcome to Dimension Four Full-length, 1988

Vibrations of Doom

VELOCET (ARGENTINA)

Cool power/thrash with a classic edge; the album is a pretty decent mix of heavy, slower and speedy songs, featuring a nice ballad as well ("Almas Negras"). The shorter tracks are direct, intense all-out thrashers ("Autoeliminacion", "Como el Tirge"), whereas the longer ones are more laid-back, but still deliver the goods with hard riffs and cool melodic hooks.

Cuando La Oscuridad Reine Full-length, 1999

Fan Site

VELOCIRAPTOR (COLOMBIA)

This Colombian formation play vivid energetic old school thrash/crossover with echoes of Tankard and early Nuclear Assault. Short speedy numbers follow one after another in a quick succession assisted by expressive semi-shouty vocals.

La Era De Los Lagartos Demo, 2010

VELOCIRIFFER (USA)

Retro power/thrash which moves around in a heavy mid-tempo trot, above all, with doom ("Power Rangers") standing vigilant on the trenches, the volcanic urgency of "Hunter" and the deathly drama on "The Godz Will Fall (Asses)" adding to the seismic impact from this recording that also wins a few points from the intense shouty death metal vocals. "Don't Butter My Chicken" is a sloppy corey/punk joke, and "King" is an avalanche-like sludge/thrash amalgam.

Jur?-?ass?-?ic Beer Full-Length, 2023

Official Site

VELOCITY (UKRAINE)

Melodic speed/thrash of the classic variety, not miles away from their neighbours from Russia Master's debut; the guys do not conceal their infatuation with the 90's power/speed metal scene as well, although full-blooded pieces of the kind are not that many. The guitar work is simplistic and direct with slight deviations into a more intriguing play mostly in the lead guitar department. The singer ruins things a bit with his harsh semi-death metal delivery, and some adjustment in this department for the future would be desirable.

Mir Ludei Pogriaz v Svete Demo, 2007

VELOSITY (USA)

Based on the "Deadly Ritual" EP, this band play competent old school thrash with references to the Bay-Area and Paradox's "Heresy". The delivery varies from more serious longer numbers (the speedy diverser "Deadly Ritual", the technical opus "Megadeath") to more direct stripped-down ones (the lashing speedster "Atrocities", the more relaxed speed metal-based "Motorizer"). The guys handle both sides well the music ably assisted by shouty semi-declamatory vocals.

"Wide-Spread Devastation" is another confident affair, the band thrashing with proficiency and complexity all the compositions now being lengthy and thought-out although the mosh is practically endless, the guys now epitomizing the glorious sound from "Heresy" even tighter including in the vocal department where the singer is a dead ringer for Charly Steinhauer. The sound quality is very clear making the guitars sound like lashes the anthem "Thrash Metal" acquiring some Bay-Area tendencies to justify its encompassing title. The end comes in the form of the exquisite opus "New World Disorder" which is 10-min of consummate music, pretty much relentless technical headbanging till the end turning this number into one of the perennial delights in recent times including the wild deathly outro with blasting proportions. This is a no-brainer and the band shouldn't rehearse anymore with EP's, but should think of conquering the full-length arena.
"Spiritual Encounter" is another apt display of their musical skills the Paradox-influenced "carnage" beginning with the title-track which is violent speed/thrash with a nice sophisticated technical edge. "Infested Bodies" is progressive thrash in various tempos, and "Tormenting Pestilence" is another vitriolic speedster with swirling screamy leads. Later on there are two more immediate shorter cuts before the final "Celestial Bloodshed" wraps up the album in a more ambitious complex manner speed/thrashing with vigour for nearly 9-min. Even with a string of EP's the band can still hold the fans' attention if the music remains of this high quality on future efforts.
“Consuming All the Evil” is the band's wake-up cal after a sizeable period of hibernation, and is another fairly apt representation of their admirable skills, the complex intensities of “Settling the Score” crushed by the venomous immediacy of “DTA”, but wait till you hear “Deep Waters”, a stunning melody/technicality juxtaposition that can easily pass for the band’s finest hour alongside the entangled feverish title-track. “Curse of the Witch” is a sharp rowdy number, the shadow of Paradox once again leading the show, the playful speed/thrashiness of “Rough around the Edges” recalling the early Metallica feats. The hyper-active shorter “Cursed Life” is another nod at The Bay-Area, the final “Legion” grabbing Angel Dust’s first firmly for the lapels to a well-deserved round of applause.

Deadly Ritual EP, 2010
Wide-Spread Devastation Full-Length, 2011
Spiritual Encounter Full-Length, 2013
Consuming All The Evil Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VELOZZA (HOLLAND)

Based on the full-length, this outfit specialize in dynamic old school thrash which doesn't hold back in the moshing department, with lashing cuts like "Closing the Border" and "Mental Hijack" leading the fervent pack, the mid-tempo slugger "Heads & Tails" too radio-friendly to be considered a positive occurrence. Elsewhere it's the headbangers who will be happier, "Silence Is Silver" diversifying the palette with not as vehement strokes, the forced shouty vocalist rending his throat selflessly, partly ruining the more laid-back material among which one can also count the power/thrashing conglomerate "There Is No God".

Excluded Human Being EP, 2017
Apocaholic Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VENDETA (SLOVAKIA)

Based on "Failure of Humankind", this act play a modern/classic thrash hybrid along the lines of more recent Kreator. The delivery is on the fast-paced side with slower breaks provided on some tracks. "Suicide Of Murderer" shows the band's more serious face with a more elaborate rhythm-section whereas "Childrens Predators" is a direct ripper influencing the remaining numbers among which the closer "The Failure Of Humankind" offers a cool acoustic finale devoid of the mean semi-shouty singer ala Mille.

Face Beneath the Mask Full-length, 2013
Failure of Humankind Full-length, 2016

Official Site

VENDETTA (AUSTRALIA)

Based on "Backstab", this formation offer a more energetic version of the modern power/thrash trends by incorporating more vivid rhythms ("March"; the excellent intense speedster "Forgotten Road") along the prototypical quasi-groovy riffs which aren't annoying since there's quite a bit of variety displayed here. The singer is a cool expressive semi-cleaner, and his soulful antics could fit any doom/stoner outfit on any day. The closing "Hooligans" is a fitting epitaph speed/thrashing in a jolly carefree manner recalling some of the crossover acts (Suicidal Tendencies, Leeway, Ludichrst, etc.) as well as Anthrax's more light-hearted moments ("We Got the Time", to name one example) in a good nostalgic way.
"Have Demons, Will Travel..." is decidedly more modern-sounding, but the approach has softened considerably, now staying closer to the power/post-thrash parametres, "Not The Same" a sure nod at the stoner/doom brotherhood, its antidote coming in the form of "Vaccinate To Depopulate", a rowdy thrasher but the only of its kind, if we also exclude the short hardcore-ish closer "W.T.F.".

Underground Thunder Full-length, 2007
Backstab Full-length, 2011
Devolve Full-length, 2017
Have Demons, Will Travel... Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VENDETTA (BELGIUM)

A very buzzy guitar sound mars this otherwise energetic entry into the old school speed/thrash metal sector. The music is a lively roller-coaster slab with obvious nods towards the early German scene (Vectom, Iron Angel, etc.; but not Vendetta). Melodic slower deviations, like the clumsy "Changes Of Life", don't serve the band justice, despite the catchy leads; neither do mild heavy rockers like "Dragonfighters". An uneven effort as a whole trying to please too many fans with just 4 songs consequently ending up in the deep underground.

Season of the Witch Demo, 1987

VENDETTA (FINLAND)

Early speed/thrash metal along the lines of Vectom, Piledriver and Exciter with a classic heavy metal number at the end (the title-track). Before this relative filler, the listener will come across the rowdy fast-paced anthem "No Future, No Past", the raucous more insistently thrashy "Shake Your Brain", and the hyper-active pulverizer "The Dead End". The singer is a gruff semi-reciter who doesn't actually sing, but his venomous antics aren't exactly throwaways, sweeping the background with belligerent verve.

Search In The Darkness EP, 1986

Vibrations of Doom

VENDETTA (GERMANY)

These guys had done a very good job on both their albums and had even managed to sound more original than some of their colleagues despite the relative lack of popularity and success achieved by other less deserving acts. The debut is a sure-handed affair, which actually brought the Bay-Area sound to Germany. "Suicidal Lunacy" is a good opener with its both speedy and pounding guitars and the genuine semi-technical edge. The band combine more immediate shorter songs ("Go And Live... Stay And Die") with complex longer ones ("Drugs And Corruption") which are the lesser side since their length doesn't match the not very technical, and slightly repetitive nature of the guitar work involved. Fortunately, they're not too many, and the hard-hitting riffage heard for most of the time should win anyone in the end.

"Brain Damage" shows the band in an inspired form once again; within a short span of time the guys have managed to grow as musicians: the guitar sound is more technical, and the bass work is more impressive. Separate songs are quite good: the small semi-technical speed/thrashers "Brain Damage" and "Conversation"; the cool heavy semi-ballad (too many semi's here) "Precious Existence", which rivals any achievement in this field, including the much-vaunted Testament ballads; the great technical instrumental "Fade to Insanity": a smashing mixture of swirling leads and sharp riffs, started with an awesome bass performance: a variation of the Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". After it anything else would sound plain, but the two remaining tracks are quite good, the closing "Metal Law" being a really fine small speed/thrash number. The band seemingly had something more up their sleeve in the technical department, and their untimely disappearance (a very typical syndrome for the European scene: disappearance after two full-lengths) prevented them from making a more lasting impact on the scene.
A short, 3-track demo released in 2003 suggested that something new was in the makings in their camp, but it took four long years before it saw the light of day. "Hate" sticks out of the couple of more recent old veterans' reunions being vintage old school thrash metal for most of the time in a way not too dissimilar to same year's Onslaught's comeback album "Killing Peace". Cool modern "updates" ala more recent Annihilator could be heard ("Hannibal, "Rise For Revolution") in the guitar work, but the Bay Area-influenced sound, which was the base for their early works (the debut, more particularly), is pretty much intact. All songs are nice thrashers with the possible exception of "Prepare Your Self For Hostility" which is a slower, groovy number.

"Feed the Extermination" is much less interesting than its predecessor focusing on the previous album's flaws by epitomizing a less eventful, modern sound which introduces jumpy, proto-groovy rhythms which wear thin quite fast. The classic headbanging spirit is just a humble "assistant" here reflected in isolated faster passages. There are inept attempts at a more complex song-writing (the sleepy heavy ballad "Abuse"), but this is when the band sound boring and lifeless. "Trust in God" is a more vivid piece near the end, but that's pretty much it. Not that "Hate" was a masterpiece, or anything; but on this effort the guys seem to denounce their roots by taking a trite, uninspired direction, as though they try to apologize to their fans for missing "the golden" 90's.
"The 5th": yes, it's the fifth showing for the band, but since the last two were nothing much to talk about, the hopes for this instalment aren't very high. Still, the opening "Fragile" begs to differ with its varied speed/thrashing approach which even "flirts" with a few more technical vortexes mid-way. "Let'er Rip" is a short bursting rager that will "rip" not only her, but everyone else in the vicinity the guys thrashing like they've never done before. "Deadly Sin" is an impetuous galloper at the beginning before choppier rhythms spring up later on to make this number a most welcome classic speed/thrash masterpiece. Three in a row, now that's something new, and "Agency Of Liberty" carries on in the same head-splitting vein moshing out on full-throttle, even trying something more technical at some point. "The Search" is a 2-min balladic respite after which comes "The Prophecy", and the fans will have to finally acknowledge the actual return of one of the finest practitioners from the German metal scene; a speed metal anthem second to none with a progressive flair to spare, this composition may easily be placed on "Brain Damage" at any time with only the modern guitar boost betraying its more contemporary nature. "Shame On You" is the proto-groovy shredder, the requisite reminder of the guys' more recent "feats", but it's far from a flop with is fast-paced insertions and the stomping dramatic passages. "Religion Is A Killer" is a dynamic number crossing speed and thrash in a mellower fashion, but remains within the more intense confines. "Nevermind" is a 5.5-min ballad, a tender way to close this prime classic entertainer, but at least it presents the singer and the lead guitar player in a very bright light as a finale. One had to wait for whole ten years for the band to finally come to their senses, and produce something worthy; a lot of promises for The 6th as well...
"Black as Coal" shows the band in a pretty decent form once again, although an album of an-hour length should really deliver. Well, it does to an extent, first with the pummeling opener "Shoot To Kill", and later with a string of capable modern/classic thrash mongrels ("No Hands but a Gun", "Time to Change"), the Bay-Area spirit from the early recordings still legitimate, especially on the more belligerent material ("Death Means Relief", the ripping "Pallbearer"). "For Dear Life" is a more introspective mellower number, but the final "Beast in Her Eyes" moshes with little restraint as a closure to this fair entry into the band's now long discography.

Go And Live... Stay And Die Full-length, 1987
Brain Damage Full-length, 1988
Hate Full-Length, 2007
Feed the Extermination Full-Length, 2011
The 5th Full-Length, 2017
Black as Coal Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VENDETTA (HONDURAS)

Based on "Bajo Un Cielo Violento", this act pulls out modern melodic thrash metal with gruff death metal vocals. The guitar sound is very noisy, and the pace is pretty relaxed being mid to slow-ish the latter sections coming with a shade of gothic ("Uno De Los Doce"). "Entrando Al Final" comes near the end to bring some life into the album with energetic galloping riffs ("Entrando Al Final"), but the closing "Infamia" "kills" it again with another portion of gothic-laden guitars.
"Un Nuevo Orden" breaks the staple morose vein the band marching in steam-rolling mid-pace initially until "Dementofobia" breaks the stride big time with raging wild riffage with a melo-death flavour. "La Ultima Conspiracion" is another galloping battle rouser with nice melodic leads, and the title-track is the next in line more aggressive basher. "Recolector De Almas" brings back the gallops again, but its energetic swagger is "drowned" by the last two gloomy quasi-doomsters.

Legion En Caos Full-length, 2008
Bajo Un Cielo Violento Full-length, 2009
Un Nuevo Orden Full-length, 2017

Official Site

VENEMOUS (MEXICO)

The demo: intense ripping classic thrash expects you here played with the utmost intensity and with an admirable amount of professionalism the guys providing interesting rolling riffs not far from the ones on the early Destruction efforts although the approach is not really Germanic, but clings more towards the American standards (both the Bay-Area and the East Coast), and serves at times nice galloping sections ("Venemous") among the other raging moments. The closing "Bloodshed" is a more relaxed cut "flirting" with speed and crossover being purely instrumental.
The full-length is another old school thrashing affair the guys moshing with vigour, not bothering to vary the approach too much save for the isolated more melodic dash ("From Ashes To Fire", the nice lead section on "Into Ashes"). "Going Home" features some really cool clean singing as opposed to the main overshouty death metal throat, and nearly makes this entertaining cut the highlight on this rigorous bashing recording.

Evil Massacration Demo, 2012
Ceremony Full-length, 2013
In Presence of Evil EP, 2016
Rise in Glory Full-length, 2017

Official Site

VENESECTION (GERMANY)

Based on the "Dead Zone" demo, this band offer fairly good retro thrash in the Germanic tradition with gruff death-ish vocals. The tempo is energetic, never too aggressive, and only occasionally acquires death ("Innocent Death") or black metal proportions (the "Bonustrack", which is atmospheric and mid-paced).

Divided Soul Demo, 2004
Dead Zone Demo, 2008

Official Site

VENGANZA (SPAIN)

Based on "Contra El Fin Del Milenio", this obscure band offers classic speed/thrash metal which starts in the best possible way with the aggressive shredder "Diario De Un Hombre Muerto", but the next "Los Millones De Dios" reduces the speed, and is a nice semi-technical thrasher, resembling their compatriots Ktulu's "Orden Genetico". "El Gustillo Por Matar" goes even deeper into technical waters, and acquires an even softer approach. "Yo No Soy Juez" brings back some faster elements, but is more ordinary, influencing the following "Al Mundo Se La Suda". "Descabello" is more satisfying, recalling late 80's-Metallica with the dry technical riffs, an approach picked by the more dynamic "Sexo En La Sopa" and the closing "Iguales Ante La Ley", which also offers cool machine gun-like "fire" and a fine twisted technical ending. Despite the slight staggering witnessed in the middle, this album is a more than a dignified answer to the flood of 90's modern thrash efforts coming from all sides. The singer Silver Solarzano is the same one who also takes part in the retro speed/thrash metal heroes Muro.

"Jaque Mate" is full of catchy retro speed/power/thrash metal which at times mixes all the three mentioned genres into one composition resulting in cool headbanging moments; still, there are quite a few pounding sections with a deep bass bottom. There is no technical play to be heard anywhere, and the guitar work is generally heavier than the one of the follow-up, and as a whole the music is closer to the one of the veterans Muro whose members are also involved here except for the drummer.

Jaque Mate Full-length, 1994
Contra El Fin Del Milenio Full-length, 1996

VENGEANCE (POLAND)

A "small" demo of four tracks of "small", badly produced, mostly mid to up-tempo thrash in the Slayer vein. The second demo is another rough affair with a buzzy sound quality which is a pity since the musicianship is on a higher level, still pretty speedy and intense, but the pace varies, including a cool lyrical moment: the mid-paced melodic instrumental "Odam Historii" which contrasts with the rest, much shorter numbers where the bashing is guaranteed, although it comes with a more proficient character and a pinch of humour (the carefree crossover punker "Zydzi w Tatrach" at the end).

Small Thrash Demo, 1988
Words About Us Demo, 1993

VENGEANCE (USA, CA)

Quite a good blend of speed, power and thrash metal with a bit more aggressive vocals than the ones you might be accustomed to, close to the ones used by Tony Portaro on the first two Whiplash albums. There's a hardcore joke ("Salvation"), too. The style is actually not miles away from Whiplash mixed with heavier parts ala early Venom.

Demo Demo, 1987

VENGEANCE RISING (USA)

This Christian thrash metal band was the first one to give a more extreme edge to the Christian metal scene as an alternative to the radio-friendly metal of acts like Stryper, Bloodgood (their second album "Detonation", by the way, is a brilliant speed/power metal affair, highly recommended), White Cross, Barren Cross, "Some Other" Cross, etc. The band started as just Vengeance, but later had to change their name due to legal claims made by the Dutch hard'n heavy rockers of the same name. The guys shared members with another early Christian speed/thrash metal band: Deliverance, in their spawning stages, and the music on the debut bears resemblances to the one of that band's debut crossing fast-paced speed/thrashers with more power metal-based tracks. The main difference comes in the vocal department, where one will hear the first attempts at a more growly death metal-type singing made by the band founder Roger Martinez. The aggression is probably bigger on the faster moments with nods to Slayer and Dark Angel ("Fatal Delay"), but on the other hand there are balladic parts on a couple of tracks, as well as touches of crossover ("White Throne") and even doom ("Ascension"); a diverse and a bit unfocused affair as a whole with also a couple of short brutal hardcore pieces scattered around.
"Once Dead" offers similar entertainment with less styles "courted" this time, thrash and crossover being the dominant ones. The pace is usually fast with blast-beats included on the 9-min long "The Whipping Post", which is a sprawling composition with doom and balladic elements inserted as well, the latter being accompanied by nice leads; and on the shorter explosive "The Wrath To Come". "Into The Abyss" is the other exercise in longer more serious metal, but is more consistent than the previous one being mid-paced with a dark doom-immersed atmosphere without any sudden tempo switches.

Internal conflicts led to all the band members abandoning Roger Martinez and forming Die Happy where the music took a much more melodic direction. Martinez was determined to keep the band alive, and summoned new musicians for the recording of "Destruction Comes", which offered straight retro thrash with a slightly dry sterile sound. The guys do not deviate a lot this time leaving those not very convincing style stretches aside, sticking to the up-tempo thrash formula with Slayer an obvious influence, and this effort could pass for their finest hour, adding to 1991's reputation as the last "fortress" of classic thrash. For those who would accuse the band in lack of variety comes "Thanatos": a softer piece, smelling doom/proto-stoner, and the closer "Raegoul" which is pure high-octane doom.
"Released upon the Earth" starts surprisingly heavily and seismically with the 6.5-min doom opus "Help Me" and some may start thinking that finally the guys have sold their souls to doom after the several flirtations with the genre made in the past. Well, not exactly since very soon after begins the moshing done in a cool (the restless albeit atmospheric shredder "The Damnation of Judas"; the short heavy mid-paced title-track) classic manner again, with a few brutal desserts along the way like the not very restrained death metal bomb "Human Dark Potential" which contrasts with the surrounding it much slower material, the latter again clinging towards the doom-absorbed side with the dirgy sinister "Lest You Be Judged" and the minimalistic creepy instrumental piece "Out of Bounds". "Tion" is the other ball of aggression keeping the Slayer spirit alive, setting the scene for the speed/thrashing roller-coaster "You Will Be Hated" at the end.

Human Sacrifice Full-length, 1988
Once Dead Full-length, 1990
Destruction Comes Full-length, 1991
Released Upon The Earth Full-length, 1992

Official Site

VENGEFUL GHOUL (TURKEY)

This new Turkish band offer mid-paced power/thrash with a classic vibe, and a singer who is also a member of another good Turkish thrash metal act: Electrocute (he both sings and plays the guitar there, whereas on this one he feels comfortable enough just handling the mike), whose delivery recalls Schmier, maybe a bit more throaty. One of the guitarists is a girl, something not very common among the metal fraternity. "Ruinous" breaks the monotony with more intense riffage and stylish Oriental leads, and remains the best song here.
The full-length elaborates the approach to the point of progressiveness at times, and is not a bad effort serving clever melodic numbers with a few dramatic build-ups ("My Crowded Solitude") which could have been more. Hard thrashing is hard to come by, but this is not the point here: the band don't aim at the thrash metal audience although the closing title-track is an admirable up-tempoer with some nicely executed "Painkiller"-esque flairs supported by the high-pitched of the otherwise leveled and not very emotional singer.

Premier Fury Demo, 2006
Timeless Warfare Full-Length, 2014

Official Site

VENGINCE (USA)

Based on "Against the Tide", these folks, among whom one can detect the presence of the former Defiance drummer James "Flatline" Raymond, deliver modern thrash which is mostly mid-tempo also bordering on metalcore. The very shouty quarrelsome vocals aren't a very pleasant "companion" to the energetic music which eventually produces one full-blooded headbanger in the middle: "The Sickness Well", before the detrimental clean vocals and the groove hit in with full force in the second half, and ruin the proceedings beyond repair despite the nice melodic hooks on "Of The Same Shadow".

Vengince Full-length, 2003
A Deathbed Thank-You Letter EP, 2005
Torch the Trophy EP, 2006
As It All Sours Full-length, 2008
A Turn for the Worst Full-length, 2010
Against the Tide Full-length, 2016

Official Site

VENIAL (BRAZIL)

This is mild, light-hearted power/proto-thrash the guys contrasting the mellow guitar work with the harsh overshouty death metal vocals to a slightly awkward effect. The music picks up speed at times ("Hnnmn") reaching early razor-esque parametres, but generally this isn't very dynamic, mostly mid-tempo stuff with cool melodic leads which seem to be the highlight (check the ones on "Em Meio a Guerra"). Some of the band members are also involved with the death metallers Godhum.

Perdido no Mosh Full-length, 2017

Official Site

VENOJECT (CHILE)

Based on the full-length, these lads deliver retro thrash which is both elaborate (“Frivolous”), definitely not frivolous, and compact and direct (“Save Yourself”), the real revelation being the encompassing 10-min odyssey “Anima”, a breath-taking journey around the progressive metal gamut. Short semi-technical fast-pacers (“Is Dying Now”, the black-peppered “Sick”) add more lustre to this unusual recording, the prog-thrash/death saga at the end “Chromatic State” missing to an extent the shouty hardcore-ish singer. Some of the musicians are also involved with the power/speed metallers Aberracion, the thrash unit Oponente, and the death metal cohort Unhealth.

Suffering and Death EP, 2017
Anima Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VENOM (UK)

The fathers of black metal; Venom's sound is characterized by simplistic basic riffs along the lines of Motorhead, with a more aggressive attitude. Their reputation rose to legendary proportions in the early 80's, largely due to their outrageous live performances, and their genuinely frightening satanic image. The raw simplistic, but sincere approach on the first 3 albums has been very influential on numerous future black/thrash metal acts, even nowadays. When "Possessed" was released in 1985 it became clear that with the increased music standards of the scene Venom had little to offer to compete with the up-and-coming speed/thrash metal forces from Germany and the USA, and even the ones from their motherland. Mantas was the first to abaddon... sorry, abandon, the sinking ship, but the other two quickly found a replacement (two, actually, both of them guitarists) for the production of "Calm Before the Storm", which took a more mainstream direction, and although in terms of sound and production qualities this album beat the previous output by miles, the raw direct spirit of those early efforts was nowhere to be found, having been replaced by retouched semi-thrash guitars and not a really inspired song-writing; again the band didn't offer much in order to stand beside the already established "pillars" of thrash. Cronos was the next to pack his bags and leave, taking with him the two guitar players as well, but surprisingly Mantas returned after a not very successful attempt at a solo career, and with the recruitment of the Atomkraft singer Tony Dolan a new line-up was formed for the recording of "Prime Evil" that finally saw the guys pulling out better constructed, more meaningful thrash, featuring also a cool cover of Black Sabbath's "Megalomania". Unfortunately, this pulling together came at a time when thrash metal was stepping down as the dominant metal genre, and despite the release of another two competent efforts in the early-90's, it was more than obvious that Venom would not be able to restore their glorious status.

After a short, but more successful than Mantas', career comprising two full-lengths of pretty decent heavy/power metal, with only slight hints at thrash, Cronos decided to reform Venom, and miraculously this coincided with the other two original members' plans. In 1997 the hellish trio was back in the game with the excellent "Cast in Stone", predating the retro thrash resurrection wave with a few years, and this is probably the band's best period music-wise. Abaddon dropped out after the recordings, and Mantas stayed around for just one more effort ("Resurrection"). All three albums are good power/thrash metal affairs with a firm classic sound, forceful songs in mid to up-tempo, with the occasional slower doom pounder.

With only Cronos taking part from the original line-up, "Hell" follows the same pattern, maybe thrashing more intensely, with sharper riffs, and a harsher Cronos behind the mike. Because of the big number of tracks (13), there is quite a variety offered, which brings forward some quality moments: fast-paced speed/thrashers, slower, almost doomy songs (the closing dark instrumental "Dirge - The Awakening"), galloping power/thrash metal pieces, even really aggressive exercises in unadulterated headbanging thrash ("USA For Satan").
Cronos carries on with the new line-up, and here comes "Fallen Angels" to shatter your world to pieces (well, not exactly). The guys are obviously angry and waste no time showing this, first with ultra-heavy pieces like "Hammerhead" & "Lap of the Gods", and second with thrashing speedsters like "Nemesis" & "Death Be Thy Name". The former are more strongly presented, but deliver with their solid crushing riffs. The 2nd half is more experimental, featuring the thrashcore delight "Punk's Not Dead", which is not a The Exploited cover, the lyrical acoustic instrumental "Lest We Forget" (now that's something new!), which is the closer; and the more complex power/thrasher "Fallen Angels". The two bonus tracks at the very end could have been omitted, though, both being slow blues/doom cuts without any particular merits. There will be no surprises here, the band doing what is expected of them, Cronos sounding as evil and apocalyptic as always, the others assisting him in a direct bashing manner, leaving the melody and technicality for the other acts around.
"From the Very Depths" is appropriately conformed with the few previous Venom releases so expect no surprises along the way as the abrasive thrashisms of Cronos and Co. are here with no hesitation this time arriving "from the very depths"; what could be considered something relatively new would be the cool Oriental motifs on "Smoke" which weaves out of thin air an appealing, genie-invoking, tapestry. Some steam-roller heaviness comes later ("Temptation") and the latter springs up more or less regularly till the end of the album its finest "fruit" being the excellent doomster "Crucified". On the other front we have the pounding up-paceness of the closing "Rise" and "Mephistopheles" both rousing hymns making the news Venom proposition a decent, but hardly exceptional, entry into the voluminous thrash metal catalogue of the new millennium.
"Storm the Gates" continues the seemingly never-ending Venom saga with another slab of rowdy, mostly mid-paced power/thrash which has become the band's staple style for the past few offerings. Nothing too groundbreaking, but nothing too disappointing, either, as the guys know very well when to slow down ("I Dark Lord") inserting sinister shades of doom, and when to rock in a more welcoming, more radio-friendly manner ("100 Miles To Hell"). Still, the essence of this opus are the characteristic mid-tempo roller-coasters ("Dark Night (Of The Soul)", "Suffering Dictates") which preside over less expected twists like the aggressive moshers "The Mighty Have Fallen" and "Immortal". Everyone involved seems to be in a good shape including Cronos' ever-reliant, traditionally spiteful venomous tirades.

Welcome to Hell Full-length, 1981
Black Metal Full-length, 1982
American Assault EP, 1985
French Assault EP, 1985
Hell at Hammersmith EP, 1985
Japanese Assault EP, 1985
Nightmare EP, 1985
Possessed Full-Length, 1985
Scandinavian Assault EP, 1986
German Assault EP, 1987
Calm Before the Storm Full-length, 1987
Prime Evil Full-length, 1988
Tear Your Soul Apart EP, 1990
Temples of Ice Full-length, 1991
The Waste Lands Full-length, 1992
Venom '96 EP, 1996
Cast in Stone Full-length, 1997
Resurrection Full-length, 2000
Metal Black Full-length, 2006
Hell Full-Length, 2008
Fallen Angels Full-length, 2011
From the Very Depths Full-length, 2015
Storm the Gates Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VENOM INC. (UK)

This is the entire line-up from the "Prime Evil" recording sessions, so the Venom connection is perfectly legitimate. The album ("Ave") begins with the overlong, nearly 9-min long "Ave Satanas", a moody doom composition which doesn't quite set the tone for the rest of the album as the majority of the songs are in the carefree speed/proto-thrash vein reminiscent of early Exciter and Motorhead. There's quite a bit slower mid-paced stuff, too ("Blood Stained") thrash showing its head on a couple of more aggressive "intrusions" ("Time to Die", the galloping delight "War"); in other words, fans of Venom's thrashier period (1989-1992) may not be thoroughly entertained the whole time, but those who have embraced their heavier sound from "Carved in Stone" onward, should have no problems savouring it.
"There's Only Black" is a really cool combination of power, speed and thrash, the band lifting the energy up from the very beginning with the energizing opener "How Many Can Die", "Infinitum" being another fist-pumping hymn, with thrash showing up more prominently. There's no slouching later, the title-track being a sure-handed power/thrash anthem, and "Don't Feed Me Your Lies" even serving a healthy technical sting on an urgent headbanging base. "Burn Liar Burn" is a nice atmospheric quasi-doomster with a super-moshing ending, and "Nine" is another fast-paced entry into this entertaining slab which only genuinely friendly moment is the closing heavy/power metal saga "Inferno".

Ave Full-length, 2017
There's Only Black Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VENOMENON (CANADA)

The demo: a trio from Montreal offering pedestrian modern post-thrash of the uneventful mid-paced type, and the guys' choice to make the tracks longer for the style (5-7min, plus one monstrous 10-min opus, which is actually not too bad sounding a bit melancholic with a touch of Katatonia) is just another mistake since there is almost nothing in terms of variety, just rehashed stomping riffs over and over. "Temple Of Lies" comes at the end to bring some energy into the effort, and succeeds to liven up the situation with merry crossover rhythms.
The full-length offers the same laid-back sound with the tag "thrash" non-existent for most of the time as the band have settled for some kind of more aggressive rock'n roll boogie with only "Rabod" justifying its title with rowdier more abrasive riffage. It's really hard to take this opus seriously, especially from a thrash metal point-of-view... there's very little of it featured here if we also exclude the speedy jump-arounder "Bottom Of The Label". Still, the two sprawling progressive doom/semi-balladic cuts closing the album aren't completely without merits.

Too Fast For Time Demo, 2010
Ossuary EP, 2010
Sweating Under My Skin Full-length, 2019

My Space

VENSOR (CANADA)

This is pretty violent stuff done by three guys who used to paint their faces in a manner similar to Kiss, or to the later 90's black metal practitioners. Music-wise this sits somewhere between Wehrmacht and Cryptic Slaughter, fast raging riffs pouring from all sides with a bad buzzy sound and drunken gruff vocals. The music makes sense on the longer numbers, like on the mad thrashing instrumental "Terminal Breath", which is pure blitzkrieg thrash ala Slayer and Devastation.

Trash Till Death Demo, 1987

VENTHIAX (SWEDEN)

The Swedish trio pull out retro black/thrash which comes with a dark ominous aura on "Bloodhunt" recalling the 80's German movement, "Evil Sacrifice" a pure early Bathory worship with the raucous abrasive rhythms. "Curse of the Empress" is an intense dynamic cut, the very shouty death metal singer exacerbating the setting necessarily, his baritone lost to a near-shrieky presence on the more diverse semi-basher "Crystal Lake Massacre".

Venthiax EP, 2023

Youtube

VENUS (GREECE)

Based on the full-length, this act provide fairly good modern progressive thrash that is quite varied from the get-go with the fast but twisted “Sons of Grus”, before “The Observatory” embraces the contrived ways of execution with a far-reaching range of moods and musical decisions. An eye-opener in more ways than one, this composition influences both the more immediate volatile shredder “City of Nektron” and the amorphous scintillating speed/thrasher “Circus Strange”. The enthralling highbrow saga carries on with the perennially-shifting “Artificially Prolonged Existence”, a hyper-active as well proposition which has its match in the psychedelic shape-shifter “The Arrythmic Pulse of Universe” and the larger-than-life encompassing odyssey “Subatomic Search for Human Consciousness”, a multifarious ride with some intriguing galloping decisions thrown amongst spacey hallucinogenic accumulations. The singer is a blacky shrieker whose intense tirades are a bit of a spoiler compared to the much more interesting music.

Project Lamda EP, 2022
Obscured Until Observed Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VERBAL ABUSE (USA)

The band started as a pure hardcore band on their first two works before switching to the more fashionable thrash metal later, by retaining their hardcore roots to a certain extent. This is probably the reason why some thrash metal fans might find their style not too appealing.

Just An American Band Full-length, 1983
Rocks Your Liver Full-length, 1986
Red, White and Violent Full-length, 1995

My Space

VERBAL RAZORS (FRANCE)

Retro thrash with hardcore overtones sounding close to Hellbastard's "Natural Order", sustained in a fast energetic pace. "Cannibal Vegan" is a hardcore burst whereas the other three tracks are more on the thrashy side supported by cool mid-ranged semi-clean vocals.
The full-length debut is another merry uplifting roller-coaster the guys speed/thrashing with gusto "winking" at the hardcore/crossover arena at will. "The Graveyard" is a stop from the fast-paced "carnage" and this stop extends to a few moments from the following piece "Never Your Fault" arriving to crush your bones with killer speedy riffs, and till the end the tempo seldom falters the guys acquitting themselves with sharp biting riffs.
"Misleading Innocence" would be another appetizer for the retro speed/thrash fans who will jump around on those merry Motorhead-ish riffs spiced at times by a more aggressive delivery ("Of Mass and Men", "The Answer to Everything") which still plays second fiddle to the carefree speed metal style the band have epitomized so well through the years, served with a brasher stroke of hardcore on the shorter cuts.
"By Thunder & Lightning" carries on in the same uplifting vein, the hardcore-ish abrasiveness of "Rage" pairing well with the speed/thrashing immediacy of cuts like "Trash" and "The House", the friendlier veneer of "Water Drop" relieving the party atmosphere which in the second half is an almost complete hardcore/crossover parade.

Settling of Scores EP, 2009
Verbal Razors Full-Length, 2014
Misleading Innocence Full-Length, 2016
By Tnunder & Lightning Full-Length, 2020

Offiical Site

VERBAL WARNING (GERMANY)

Based on the self-titled demo, this band play classic power/thrash which is on the leisurely relaxed side on the dreamy "Force My Hand", before "Father Figure" knocks on the groove with caution, a more abrasive chugger which gets overwritten by then more energetic currents displayed on "Vanity's Bloodlust". The singer is a shouty deathster who seldom actually sings, unlike his more passionate performance, alongside other colleagues of his from here, with the modern post-thrashers Greed.

Verbal Warning Demo, 1996
The Truth Is Out There Demo, 1997

Official Site

VERDADES PARIAS (ARGENTINA)

This formation plays the quite typical for Argentina melodic power/thrash metal known from the works of Hermetica, Horcas, Malon, Malicia, etc. Nothing extraordinary: cool mellow speedy guitars, soaring, but somewhat undeveloped, vocals courtesy of Eduardo Ezcurra: the singer who also sang for Malon; memorable sing-along choruses, several dancey ballads and... that's all.

Resistir Aun Muriendo Full-length, 2008

Official Site

VERDICT (GERMANY)

"Reflections of Pain" offers modern death/thrash metal of the Swedish school with occasional nods to the past; professionally done, but merges with many other similar works released at the time.
"Generation: Genocide" is by all means the better achievement, with much better and tighter guitar work, faster tempos which don't change much, but create a steady, monolithic impression. It introduces quite a few classic metal elements, too, and some tracks carry the fine Death-spirit coming with good technical riffs "Confession").

"Assassin:Nation" is not an entirely different story from its predecessor lashing fast blitzkrieg riffs on full-throttle even on the longer, more thought-out material which culminates on the excellent progressive cut "Acid Trip" and the technical shredder "The Creed". More elaborate compositions follow suit ("Taking Lives"), but they are kind of less eventful with the presence of softer, slower guitars pulling the end towards the less imaginative side with the repetitive nature of both the song-structures and the guitar patterns. The singer is the staple harsh death metal shouter who makes an effort to sound more attached, but should have tried harder.
"The Meaning of Isolation" is the next portion of the expected from the band melo-thrash/death serving both razor-sharp riffs and delightfully melodic tunes (check out the closing progressiver "The Meaning of Isolation") the speedy cuts dominating the scene some of them being really impressive lashers ("Layer of Lies", "First to Fight"). This is direct remorseless music which is professionally done and all; it's just that it's entirely up to the the listener to decide whether he/she wants to sit through this so familiar effort.

Reflections of Pain Full-length, 2002
Generation: Genocide Full-length, 2005
Assassin:Nation Full-length, 2009
The Meaning of Isolation Full-Length, 2013

Official Site

VERDICT (GREECE)

Based on the "3rd Alternative the Name" demo, this act play pretty ambitious progressive thrash from the old school "The Nighthunting" a nice opener with the itnriguing time shifts and the deep atmospherics. "3rd Alternative the Name" is 10.5-min of operatic progressive power/thrashisms the delivery softened down with angelic female vocals helping the main clean male ones alongside haunting violin tunes. "The Verdict" is a bumpier thrasher with more aggressive riffage abandoning the more complex arrangements for the sake of more direct damage; and "Sentinels of Zed" is a return to the more atmospheric aesthetics with keyboards added to the fore, retouching the thrashy riff-patterns. The band evolved onto Verdict Denied (see the review below) by retaining their technical/progressive flair.

3rd Alternative the Name Demo, 1997
Coming While You Sleep Demo, 2001

Youtube

VERDICT DENIED (GREECE)

The promos: excellent technical thrash which reminds of Scariot's last two releases and the one-album wonder from Australia Bezerker. Great melodies with echoes from Crimson Glory's finest hours are intertwined with fine technical riffs to raise high hopes for this band's debut full-length which is in the makings. The band were earlier known as just Verdict (see the review above) the style being equally as engaging progressive thrash,

"Condamned" is finally a fact, based on the five tracks already heard on the band's promos. The opening "Fake Abilities" is one of the three new songs, and is a lashing technical thrasher coming as a more aggressive 80's Crimson Glory mixed with the speed/thrash aesthetics of Paradox's "Heresy". "Dark Twisted Laughter" is quite a similar blend of sharp technical and more direct riffs, but "This Soul Of Black Is Mine" is a different story: a nice blend of a sinister acoustic ballad (first half) and hard-hitting mid-tempo thrash (2nd half). "94 x 1 Vain (They Return)" is a more complex affair moshing in mid-pace with great technical hooks, but "Black Tango" beats it in this aspect being a heavy semi-balladic progressive opus with excellent guitar performance ranging from schizoid intricate rifforamas to actual interpretations of the tango. "Twisted And Menacing My Stare" returns to the technical thrash patterns from the beginning, but "Battle Within" is more melodic power/thrash with a good memorable chorus. The last act "The Last Act" closes the album in a manner similar to the opener being energetic technical thrash with a cool doom outro. This is by all means a promising beginning for the band although they could have put more effort in coming with a bigger number of new songs provided that this full-length comes after a lengthy 3-year pause.
The "State To End All Terror" EP is another fine addition to the band's discography although it only contains four new tracks plus two reworked versions of songs from the debut. The new material is nothing short of outstanding, though: "Rebellion's Chief Architect" is a wonderful spastic shredder in the best tradition of Target and Mekong Delta with jumpy twisted riffs galore; and "Redemption upon Him Lies" is a short dramatic pounder with a nice technical accumulation. "State to End All Terror" thrashes a bit more conventionally with Bay-Area overtones, and "A Common State, Not Common Sense" is a mid-tempo creeper with a crushing fast-paced passage near the end.

Promo Demo, 2005
Promo Demo, 2006
Condamned Full-length, 2009
State To End All Terror EP, 2015

Official Site

VERDICT OF VENGEANCE (GREECE)

Four songs of brutal thrash/death/grindcore; a violent, albeit a cool, listen, very dynamic and exhausting for both the listener and the musicians, I believe. The songs are longish for the style, and are graced by fine melodic leads, sharp lightning riffs, and intelligible semi-hardcore/semi-death vocals.

Loyal Opposition EP, 2006

Official Site

VERDOEMD (BELGIUM)

The brainchild of Maes, the real name Glenn Maesschalk, also a former member of the black/thrash cohort Evil Shepherd; based on "Howling Mountain", the man has gone a notch up the aggression scale, still staying on retro black/thrash ground, but as evident from the title-track and short explosive "Black Death" things are more on the black metal side of the spectre, with a partial taming of the shrew provided on then more thrash-fixated material ("Lasting Vengeance", the chaotic technical wonder "Last Trip"). This is generally good music which also serves the heavy pounding nod to Celtic Frost "Ritual of the 6th Order", Maes accompanying the intense musical background with a forceful shouty black metal timbre, the very proficient production another seeming plus.

The Black Heresy Will Prevail Full-length, 2020
Howling Mountain Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VERDUGO (COLOMBIA)

Two tracks of aggressive old school thrash seeing the guys enamored by early Kreator and Dark Angel spicing their venomous approach with several slower breaks and a few cleaner vocal insertions as "companions" to the dominant vicious death metal ones. The darkness is further dissipated by the stylish lead guitar work which is both of the screamy and technical type.

The "Renaced de los Muertos" concert suffers from a really bad sound quality so very few of the songs can be distinguished. The more stylish guitar licks present lift the quality up, but this is for most of the time just a bashing wall of sounds with the vocals completely buried in the mix.

The EP is another live recording, the audience now better heard, sounding again messy and not very well produced with a few more distinguishing Slayer-esque riffs ("Falso Profeta") sticking out of the mish-mash with a big effort. The guys are obviously fascinated with the live format, but this fondness may bury them deep underground with no way to get out. Because there is a potential here...

Demo Demo, 2005
Renaced de los Muertos Live, 2012
Materia Informe del Caos EP, 2012

My Space

VERDUGO (SPAIN)

Dynamic modern thrash/post-thrash with not very suitable muffled shouty death metal vocals; the guys change the pace on every composition making the delivery not very predictable, but nothing really technical is going on for most of the time. Tracks like "Narco", "Canibal" and the more death metal-oriented "Veneno" show some headbanging promise, but the remainder is more on the friendly melodic side the profuse melodic licks contrasting with the hysterical vocal exploits.

Verdugo Full-Length, 2017

VERDUGO 1905 (CHILE)

Based on the full-length, this act specialize in speedy blitzkrieg retro thrash which can be curiously technical ("Contra el Poder") on occasion, but the prevalent frame is built around tight rowdy numbers ("Cadenas", "Lucha por las Tierras"), the intense throaty death metal vocals spearheading the fiesta without much drama elicited. Some of the band members are also busy with the death/thrashers DeathSoul.

Escape a la Demencia EP, 2016
Cadenas Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VERISMO (USA)

This fresh new trio enters the scene with a somewhat confusing "marriage" of several styles on their debut: traditional metal, 90's groovy thrash and thrash/crossover. At times this mix works, but often falls flat with the band trying to put all the listed styles into one song creating a kind of disjointed feeling, whereas a concentration on less variety might bring better results. There's certainly a potential here; it just needs to be expressed in a more coherent and less chaotic way.

City of Kings Full-length, 2007

Official Site

VERITATE (SWEDEN)

Based on the "Medical Miracles" demo: this band use a cool touch in the beginning, with the short "The Moonlight Sonata" intro, accompanied by a somewhat clumsy narrative. What follows suit is an effective, albeit uneven mix of doom, power and thrash (which is a loose definition here) metal with certain progressive overtones. The singer has a less operatic, but quite cool dramatic delivery, recalling the dark wave vocals, seldom adhering to sinister growling tones. The compositions are long, "courting" doom metal most, but the guitar work is heavy and sharp, reminding of Candlemass' "Nightfall". Nice Oriental melodies and background keyboards are also included. As a whole this is a work which will please the doom metal fans above all.

The debut demo is first-class doom metal with more frequent thrash leanings than the other one, more dynamic and aggressive, but still of no big value to the hard-core thrash metal fan.

The "The Chosen One" single is just two songs of dynamic power/thrash metal covering both styles quite well all this supported by confident keyboard implements and plenty of catchy melodic tunes recalling both early Blind Guardian and the Danes Manticora including in the vocal department where the singer has acquired a bit hoarser tones by retaining the drama.

Exploitation of Human Disturbance Demo, 2004
Medical Miracles Demo, 2006
Straight into Hell Full-length, 2008
The Rise of Hatross Full-length, 2009
The Chosen One Single, 2010

Official Site

VERMEFUG (USA)

This is intense old school thrash with Slayer the prime target for worship. Vocal-wise the guy tries to spit "venom" in the manner of Pat Lind (Morbid Saint), and delivers being both vicious and comprehensive. The tracks are short, within the 1.5-2.5min confines, so there's not much ado here, just direct merciless bashing without any gimmicks. When the guys try to run from the pattern (the longer "Mothers Against Vermefug"; the frolic power/thrasher "Chick on a Stick"), they produce more meaningful and mellower music, and also more proficiently executed, with shades of speed metal. The closing "Dare To Be Stupid" should have been omitted, though: a hard'n heavy joy which has not much to do with the more aggressive nature of the preceding material; with the singer softening down his approach to better suit this tender stuff.

Wet Nightmare Full-length, 2009

Official Site

VERMILLION DAYS (GREECE)

This is some pretty cool intense retro thrash with crisp riffs and good swirling leads the latter close to being the highlight. The approach resembles the Pestilence debut the guys thrashing with gusto with sparse death metal leanings and the odd more technical hook ("Murder Thoughts"). The sound quality is quite clear boosting the guitars all the way through for the sake of the dumb bass and the low-tuned guttural death metal vocals which are intelligible and all, but just don't fit the more restrained musical approach.

In the Warfield EP, 2009

Official Site

VERMIN (GERMANY)

Based on "Paradise", this outfit indulge in mid-paced modern thrash/death which is full of catchy melodic hooks, but will war thin at some point since the approach is quite samey on almost every number doom metal standing guard ("Mourning Sun") on quite a few occasions. "Public Violation" is a surprising violator with brisk speedy riffs, and it revitalizes the album quite a bit since after it the delivery becomes a but more dynamic even acquiring curious technical tendencies on the very good diverse closer "Scream".

Strike Your Idols Down Live EP, 2009
At Sanitys Dawn EP, 2010
Paradise Full-length, 2011
Mind Control Full-length, 2013

My Space

VERMIN (USA)

Based on the second demo, this band plays raw Venom-esque speed/proto-thrash in up-tempo, also recalling Voivod's "War & Pain". When they try to run away from the more dynamic formula, they produce something very boring and dragging, and miles away from speed/thrash: "Satan's Reign". The singer may strike a cord, though, with his brutal semi-death metal tone, a very early incarnation of the future death metal vocals.

Demo Demo, 1984
Rehearsal Demo Demo, 1984

My Space

VERMIN FATE (USA)

Based on the full-length, these folks specialize in energetic old classic thrash that occasionally comes served with a more brutal deathly edge (“Pt i - Total Nuclear Assault”). Otherwise, the delivery is right as rain, with iron gallops (“Pt III - Into the Silo”) interlacing with stylized semi-intricate outbursts (“Pt V - Enemies Above, Death Below”), the shouty semi-death metal vocalist racing with the dynamic rhythms, including on the more modernized headbanger “Pt VII - No Lessons Learned”.

Cursebreaker EP, 2023
Total Nuclear Assault Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VERMIN HOST (USA)

Old school thrash/death which doesn’t win too many points from the gruff semi-shouty death metal vocals. Expect a few blast-beating accumulations amongst the full-fledged thrashers (“Metal Brute”, “Standing in Flame”), those decidedly not as brutal as the more death-oriented fare (“Grave Dagger”) among which pone can easily spot the spacey semi-technical delight “Henchman's Rope”.

Vermin Host I EP, 2023

Official Site

VERMINATOR (MALAYSIA)

These folks offer dynamic invigorating retro speed/thrash the music pouring intense lashing riffs to no end, the attack assisted by high-strung shouty vocals which totally suit shredding outbursts like "Sadistic Souls" and "Verminator". The title-track is a more moderate piece siding with the atmospheric pounding closer "Nature Disappeared" as the two more elaborately constructed offerings.

Fatal Devastation Full-length, 2017

Youtube

VERMITHRAX (USA)

Based on the full-length, these lads offer quite potent classic power/thrash which is modeled after early Nevermore, above all, the vocalist also going in this direction with his pathos-like Warrel Dane (R.I.P.)-sque tirades. The dark galloper "Enoch" starts the saga, but there's both melody and technicality to be encountered later on "Crucified By Hate" and especially on the intricately-woven "Road to Athkatla". "River Cruor" suddenly changes the course with its wild headbanging layout, but this deviation is more than welcome leading to two complex shredders the second of which ("Calling My Name") will make you saddle the horses again. The end is by all means worth hearing, a blend of two Flotsam & Jetsam songs , "Hammerhead" & "Hard On You", performed with a dark, brooding vibe to suit the original material. Some of the musicians are also involved with the power metallers Order of Nine, and the power/thrash hybriders Futuretense.

Volume 1 EP, 2013
Imperium Draconus Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VERPA (CZECH)

Three songs of cool progressive power/thrash of the meditative, mid-paced variety with nice melodic leads and passable, not very emotional, clean vocals. "Ruov Smrt" is a heavy shredder with several funky variations and a great aggressive death metal-laced ending. "ZNa Tom, Na Nicem" is a fine technical piece with meandering guitar work.

Demo Demo, 1992

VERS'OVER (BRAZIL)

Based on "House of Bones": not bad power/thrash metal with progressive overtones; the opening "Prologue" will not raise your hopes very high being a pretty traditional speed/power metal number, but what follows is better. Of course, mixtures like that go along with cheesy moments like acoustic sections, balladic breaks, sing-along choruses, but there are several thrashy pieces thrown in for good measure as well: the stomping heavy "Ruins Of Memory", and the excellent album closer "Dead Hour and Twelve Minutes" which with its galloping rhythm will remind you of Deadly Blessing, Attacker, Helstar, and other heroes from the 80's American scene.

Love, Hate & Everything in Between Full-length, 2000
House of Bones Full-length, 2003
Built Perspectives EP, 2005

VERSIPUL (USA)

This act serve old school thrash which is generally mid-tempo and crunchy, but watch out "Jesus Wept" which is an impetuous headbanger, contrasting with the lyrical semi-balladic lyricism of "VVitch Eternal" and the officious doom-immersed veneer of "Catalepsy". "Death March" is a varied, largely thrashy, all-instrumental march with great dazzling lead-sections, a cool masterful way to end this short but adequate effort which also boasts effective shouty death metal vocals.

Versipul EP, 2022

Official Site

VERSO (FINLAND)

Modern post-thrash, combining more dynamic speedy sections with clumsy groovy ones; a mix partially saved by more romantic progressive passages. The gruff-clean vocal duel is nothing special, won by the clean ones, which deliver better: check out "Gone Into My Blood" and "No Love Lost". The thrash metal fan will not find many headbanging moments here: "The Seasons End Grey" is the sole exception in this department providing sharp fast riffage; "Dead Earth Coming" thrashes with force in the beginning, too, but the detrimental melodic deviations take over quickly. As a whole this is melodic stuff with dark/gothic overtones which may eventually win some listeners over, but not with its faster sections, but when it serves high-octane doom guitars: "Dead Earth Coming".

From Wings To Bare Bones Full-Length, 2008

Official Site

VERSUS (JAPAN)

Based on the debut demo, this act pull out fast ripping thrash which tries to sound both modern (the frolic proto-groover "Bad Feelin") and classic (the slightly chaotic "Sleepers") with very dramatic high-pitched clean vocals. The guys were previously known as Necrophilia where the sound was more classic-prone.

Death Trap Demo, 1997
Versus Demo, 1999
Demonstration Demo, 2000

VERSUS HEAVEN (GREECE)

The guys from the classic heavy metal act Betrayed have decided to harden the course producing a cool mix of thrash and power/speed metal on a classic base. The album starts in an open carefree manner with the soaring "Betrayed", an obvious allusion to the other band, music-wise maybe a bit more aggressive with a few more intense thrashier breaks. "Art Without Pain" is already a full-on speed/thrasher. "Time Does Not Heal" is not exactly a Dark Angel cover, but is a satisfying melodic thrasher in a steady mid-pace which stays for a string of songs in the middle until the arrival of the short hard-hitter "Perfect Mask", a fine galloping instrumental with cutting lashing riffs. The latter piece lifts the album up followed by the aggressive shredder "Unexplored Land" which also boasts great melodic leads, "burying" the closing ballad "Forbidden" deep. The singer pulls out a good performance with his clean passionate voice sounding at times close to Bruce Dickinson.

Behind the Perfect Mask Full-length, 2010

My Space

VERTEBRAEKER (BELARUS)

This act play retro roller-coaster thrash that also has this frivolous crossover vibe ("Death Penalty") at times, the galloping urgency of "Marooned on the Moon" sweeping everyone in for the ride, the more ambitious restraint exhibited on "Bog Haunter" a decent diversion from the dominant energetic pogo which is also ably supported by "Daily Shred", another unpretentious thrash/crossover anthem, and by the final "Nuclear Dump", a serious diverse thrasher. The vocals are harsh shouty death metal ones, and carry a tad of checked intimidation with them.

Spinal Sword Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VERWUSTUNG (BELARUS)

Based on "Gospel ov Fury", these lads provide quite competently-executed retro thrash which twists and turns into quite a few directions on the encompassing opener "The Ashen Communion" including a couple of less bridled black metal outtakes those leftovers from the more black metal-fixated first instalment. After this ambitious inauguration the delivery settles for much more simplistic shorter explosions ("The Purge", "Impulse To Kill") with black metal still relevant ("Baaltzelmoth") on a few more vitriolic cuts, alongside more moderate mid-paced hymns ("The Ultimate Leveller"). The singer hesitates between a throatier deathly baritone and more pronounced rending blacky chords.

The Lash ov Nihil Full-length, 2015
Gospel ov Fury Full-length, 2019

VERWAINT (SWITZERLAND)

Based on the debut: an eclectic, maybe a bit unfocused and too jumpy for its own sake, blend of aggressive fast proto-death and more melodic thrash with strong technical pretensions ala Terrahsphere and their compatriots Calhoun Conquer, but the guys too quickly turn from one passage to another, leaving most of them kind of unfinished. Still music of such a non-standard unusual nature has its charm, and in the secohd half it starts making sense, actually, with the compositions becoming longer, progressively-tinged, and both the faster and slower sections getting longer as well with more coherent and logical switches from one to another. The more laid-back parts contain a fairly intriguing abstract guitar play, quite close to the Japanese Doom and Voivod ("Manipulation of Normal Evolution"). The final "Non Calculable Hypothermia (Corpses Coolin to the Life)" is a really good example of more aggressive progressive thrash, starting with the theme from the cult horror film "Halloween" later expanding into a maddening surreal labyrinth of moods and avantgardism with the speed left behind (except for the furious ending) with strange tunes and hooks aplenty, and off-beat twists and turns: quite an experience. At first, maybe even second, listen this album might sound like a total mish-mash, but those with ears for the strange and the off-the-path will discover quite a few moments to enjoy.

"Ohh! Rang Uhh! Tang" is a contrasting amalgam of very twisted progressive compositions ("Mein Nostradamus", "Topsyturvydum") and much more accessible shorter crossover ("Waiting For What?!", "It's Your Coin!?") ones. There are certain exits from thrash ("Consume") which remain complex and hard to swallow, and the overall sound is more melodic clinging towards the hardcore/crossover spectre. All the speed and aggression let loose towards the end on the furious "Transmigration Of Souls" which is still "decorated" by eclectic avantgarde sections, but all is lost on the long dragging "Schiib"wuschr" which despite its colossal length (10-min) offers nothing too technical or elaborate, just a senseless concoction of toothless riffs and pointless deviations with no direction whatsoever. If the debut had some sparkles of twisted genius here and there, here the band shows that all good can get quickly lost when there are not too many original ideas to back it up.

It Now Remains For Us To Explain Full-length, 1994
Ohh! Rang Uhh! Tang Full-length, 1994
Rollkragen Full-length, 1997

VERWOLF (RUSSIA)

A pristine take on the thrash/death metal idea performed on a semi-amateurish level with very fuzzy guitars and unrehearsed semi-declamatory deathy vocals. The band are best when they offer short acoustic breaks among the bashing among which "The Minefield" is a particularly atmospheric piece. The rest is just too messy and unpolished to deserve any mention.

The Fear Demo, 1992

VESEN (NORWAY)

If we exclude the ugly album-title, what we'll be left with is cool black/thrash metal, quite aggressive, sounding like Absu's "Tara", or if you can imagine a more vicious version of the Japanese trend in the genre (Sabbat, Barbatos, Abigail). "Desperate Mindless Aggression", contrary to what the album title suggests, reduces the aggression far from a "mindless" state, and this time the sound is shared between early Bathory ("S.A.D.O.") and the German speed/thrash metal wave of the mid-80's ("Funeral Stench"). Still, brutal outbreaks can be heard here and there, like on the scary "Septic Surgery". Shifts into a more laid-back, heavier approach ala Celtic Frost are not too many ("Salvation/Death"), and more joyful rhythms in the spirit of the aforementioned Japanese acts can be caught, and generally it's the thrash metal fans who will be happier with this one.

"Goat Carcass Rising" is now an almost pure retro thrash offering, an entertaining roller-coaster sound which sits somewhere between early Slayer and Raise Hell except on the longer tracks ("AK-47") where the delivery goes into more atmospheric waters not far from Barathrum and more recent Satyricon. The problem is that this time the band has opted for a more moderate approach with the faster parts not being too many for the sake of the atmosphere which reaches operatic proportions on the doom-fixated closer "Ave Nihil part II" helped by a sinister orchestral choir interference. Some of the musicians go up the music scale with the avantgarde black metal formation Smile Carved Sour with whom they're still on a demo stage; and develop further their doomy infatuation with the traditional doom metal outfit Devil.

"This Time It's Personal", folks, so don't expect the guys to show any mercy. Well, the truth is that the overall approach isn't too far from its diverse predecessor the band again relying on slower patterns close to Celtic Frost and mid-period Bathory in the beginning coming up with a few cool epic black/thrashers ("Billions") in the 1st half. Still, the highlight remains the excellent sterile technical piece "Chained and Bled" in the middle, a total Voivod worship expertly done with the whole bleak abstract atmosphere and the dissonant rhythmic patterns. To expect more of the same would be too farfetched, but the following "Pressure" is a worthy dry shredder with an industrial edge. This edge remains for a string of songs seeing the band moving into new unexplored territories another testimony for that being the cold brooding doomster "Fear of Skin" which is an obvious nod to Khold and more recent Satyricon done with more professionalism. The exiting short post-blacker "Stabber" is catchy and sing-along, and is a further sign for the experiencing at present metamorphosis from the guys which may be a disappointing tendency for their diehard fans, but there's too much good music to be heard here for this effort to be thrown away.
"Rorschach" is not far from the more outlandish style heard on the preceding effort starting with the relaxed crossover hymn "Damnation Path", but later on more hard-hitting thrash can be come across: "Target Horizon", "Blood, Bones and Pride", "Crown of Scars". "Satans Synder" is a weird dirgy doomster, and "Vulgar, Old and Sick Blasphemy" is a diverse composition sustained in various tempos some of which border on less bridled death/black metal. "Away the Tormentor" is a dark doom cut its morose tendencies canceled by the closing energizer "Final Insult".

Ugly Full-length, 2005
Desperate Mindless Aggression Full-length, 2009
Goat Carcass Rising Full-length, 2011
This Time It's Personal Full-length, 2012
Rorschach Full-length, 2016

Official Site

VESPER (ITALY)

These Italians pull out classic black/thrash metal along the lines of early Celtic Frost and Slaughter. Faster and slower tracks get mixed, but the doomy mid-paced hypnotic approach of the Swiss takes the leading hand losing control (the brutal proto-deathster "Proliferation of the Planet's Cancer") here and there. Another aggressive attack will befall you near the end ("Analfisted by Satan"), albeit not as lasting, but the guys have taken care to relieve the pain a bit with the milder jollier take on the early Venom style on "Flesh for Masses" which puts the rest of the songs on a more dynamic level, all this finished with the cool up-tempo thrasher "H.K.H.K.H.P.". The singer is an obvious fan of Tom G. Warrior, and pulls the Swiss' gruff subdued semi-growls quite well. Some of the band members aim at a cleaner black metal sound with Vidharr, while others mix death and black metal with Abnader.

Possession of evil will Full-length, 2010

My Space

VESSEL DECIMAL (USA)

Abrasive modern thrash with harsh industrial atmosphere; noisy stuff as a whole which is mainly built around crushing chugga-chugga guitars the only melodic moments coming from the sparse inclusion of alternative clean vocals as opposed to the guttural shouty death metal main ones. The guys completely lose it in the second half when they start experimenting with all kinds of influences: dark wave, rock, groove, ruining the monolithic approach from the beginning also introducing much better clean passionate vocals. A confusing effort as a whole the band not obviously decided to which style to stick betting on diversity to very mixed impressions.

To Be And Not To Be Full-Length, 2015

VESTIGIA TERRENT (FINLAND)

Based on the "Diverse" demo, this act specialize in trudgy dirgy post-thrash which sometimes clings towards Pantera ("Superorthodox"), sometimes is a vivid funky jumporama ("Violence Breeds Violence"), sometimes is an attempt at some headbanging semi-thrash. The vocalist is a ruiner, though, with his deathly shouty timbre. Some of the band members also operate with the heavy metallers Grain, the thrash/death hybriders Spirit Disease, and the retro thrash formation Jewel Throne.

Thrown upon the World Demo, 1993
Gaze the Sky Demo, 1994
Diverse Demo, 1995

Official Site

VESZTEGZAR (HUNGARY)

Based on "Utveszto", this band play energetic retro thrash which is right as rain mostly comprising fast-paced breezers their dynamic nature nicely boosted by the very clear production. There are a few more modern, proto-groovy leanings ("Verncli Forradalom") but they don't really spoil the fun although the second half is softer with less speed present. Some of the band members are also active with the black/viking metal formation Singara.
"Damnation" follows a similar path, but the approach is more modern with heavier guitars which crush admirably on roller-coasters like "Galanty Show", seldom decorating the environment with the odd more technical hook ("Chaos", the excellent diverse shredder "Fools of Calamity"). Vigorous headbangers like "Stationary Stone" and "Unforgiven Sin" stir major pogos as opposed to seismic steam-rollers like "Dark Side of War" which also has its attractive side.

Beteg Vile1g Full-length, 2012
Utveszto Full-length, 2015
Damnation Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VETOR (BRAZIL)

This act specialize in crunchy old school thrash with dramatic high-strung vocals which are on the border between clean and semi-clean. The delivery is vigorous with epic flourishes ("Strike Command") recalling early Blind Guardian and Iced Earth. A string of slower compositions occupy the middle, but the guys have no problems recapturing lost ground in the second half with wilder lashers like "New Limits Within Procreation" and the closing hymn "Vetor" which unleashes some brilliant leads. Some of the musicians keep themselves busy with the death metal formation Infector.

Chaos Before the End Full-Length, 2015

Official Site

VEX (GERMANY)

A laid-back alternative form of the good old 90's post-thrash with a couple of dynamic roller-coasters ("Apes", the spacey goofy punker "Moments") scattered around on top of more progressively-woven compositions ("Victims of Ourselves") where the shadow of both Threapy? and Tool can easily be detected. The clean optimistic vocals perfectly fit this carefree musical carnival which strays from the post-thrash formula more than just now and then.

Golden Times Full-Length, 2019

Official Site

VEX (GERMANY, HESSE)

Based on the full-length, this band pull out modern/classic power/thrash which tries to balance between the two sides, but things don't seem to work all the time simply because there's not much really hard thrashing involved. On the other hand, there are plenty of soulful balladic moments ("Won't Be Fooled Again") to be savoured as well as sudden references to death metal (the surprising brutal shredder "No Right to Live"). Joke songs ("B.M. (Biene Maja)") are also unevenly spread around to ensure a larger-than-life, fairly uneven affair which is a pity having in mind the presence of former members of Witchburner and Edguy in the line-up.

Uncontrolled Aggression EP, 1996
Act of Revenge Full-length, 1996
Lookin' Deeper (Promo EP) EP, 1999

VEX (USA)

The band's style is similar to Bolt Thrower and Benediction with a certain doze of thrash and more traditional melodic death metal passages. On "Thanatopsis" thrash metal is a distant memory replaced by death metal almost completely which comes with fast aggressive, often blasting, riffage mixed with heavy doom/death sections (check out the excellent atmospheric elegiac "Erosion" in the best tradition of My Dying Bride; or the faster epic-tinged "Era of Delusion" sustained in the spirit of mid-period Amorphis).
"Sky Exile" would be a huge surprise for the band's fans since the turn from hard-hitting metal is quite radical: this is spacey progressive rock/metal with echoes of mid-period Amorphis and In the Woods. This is good, serious music with a lot to savour the final "The Cygnus Light" being an impressive orchestral black metal anthem.

Sphereith Demo, 2002
Thanatopsis Full-length, 2010
Sky Exile Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VEXATION (AUSTRALIA)

This act offer effective, heavy steam-roller thrash which sticks to an unflinching seismic rhythm-section almost the entire time, with involuntary bouts of more technical swirls ("Agents of Agony") befalling the listener with the faster-paced escapades, whenever they come ("Beyond Human Existence"), strictly belonging to the death metal realm, a niche also occupied by the forceful semi-shouty vocalist.
"Trepidation Reigns" is a more aggressive outing, the guys moshing with force from the get-go with the death-laced "Chaos Eternal", and although later on such overt aggression isn't encountered, there's quite a bit of energy to be elicited from prime lashers like "Vice on the Mind" and the more intricate "Consumed by Obscurity". "Evolution Undone" is a cool melodic deviation, and "Futile" is a nice stylish stretch towards the more expansive progressive realms.

Journey Beyond Mortality Full-Length, 2019
Trepidation Reigns Full-Length, 2022

Official Site

VEXATION (HOLLAND)

Based on "Nourish the Beast", these lads indulge in classic melodic power/thrash accentuated by steady melodic sagas like "Disobey" and "Meatgrinder", the pleasant mid-ranged clean singer a sure asset with his warm but authoritative timbre. "Deceiver" doesn't quite deceive, but his more hospitable veneer strays from thrash a bit, the latter's status quo somewhat lost in the second half where only "Goddess of the Night" tries to awaken the spirits with more belligerent riffage, whereas "Heroes" is on the opposite side of the spectre, a soothing pacifying ballad with not too many redeeming qualities.

Dark Fear Full-length, 2017
Nourish the Beast Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VEXATION (JAPAN)

Based on the "Fuck Hard!" demo, this outfit serve raw primal thrash/black sounding like a chaotic mix between Possessed's "Seven Churches" and the Hellhammer demos. Nightmare in its purest form topped by desolate death metal vocals which can't be heard very clearly as the sound quality is awful only favouring the good lead guitarist who outdoes himself on the heavy stomper "Witch Hunt".

Skullcrusher Demo, 1986
Fuck Hard! Demo, 1987
Progress I Unbornchild Hood Demo, 1989
The Opposite Cross Demo, 1989

VEXED (ITALY, LOMBARDY)

Fast thrash/black metal of the raw simple type; enjoyable, by the way; reminds of Razor, their better days, and Slayer's "Show No Mercy". In every full-length the band include a cover version of their idols: Slayer ("Black Magic"), Sodom ("Blasphemer"), Destruction ("Total Desaster"), Kreator ("Pleasure To Kill").

"Void MMXII" is another capable addition to the band's catalogue the guys thrashing with passion after six years of absence from the scene, unleashing a bullet after bullet at times inserting the odd merry punk/crossover tune (the appropriately titled "Black'n Roll"). The rest is fast and relentless with hardcore stepping in on the shorter material. Watch out for the hyper-speed cover of Venom's immortal "Black Metal" which is surprisingly placed in the middle and may pass by the listener's ears merging with the speedy melee around it which softens down one last time on the closing carefree speedster "Bastard Drink Faster". The vocalist's drunken semi-shouty timbre is the perfect fit to this party thrash effort which should make the fans jump around with joy. Some of the musicians are also busy with the retro thrash formation Total Death.
"Legion Deathblood" sees the guys in good form to produce their staple highly energetic retro thrash antics which can be quite bashing at times ("Necrogenesis V2"), but at others some well constructed semi-technical thrash ("Elements") is unleashed. The middle is preserved for a cool cover of Bathory's "Die In Fire" softened a bit by the more accentuated speed metal flair given to it. Later on we have the heavy mid-pacer "Infernal Serpent" and the lightning speed shredder "Bringers" to ensure no dull moment on this entertaining tribute to the old school.

Abyss Of Agony EP, 1999
Blood Upon The Void EP, 2000
Endless Armageddon Full-length, 2001
Nightmare Holocaust Full-length, 2003
Destruction Warfare Full-length, 2004
Hellblast Extinction Full-length, 2006
Void MMXII Full-Length, 2012
Legion Deathblood Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VEXED (ITALY, TUSCANY)

This is decent classic thrash which relies on the nice atmospheric title-track, a varied prog-thrasher with beautiful melodic hooks, the major hurdle being the rough death metal vocals which shine a tad brighter on the shorter, more immediate material ("Palco", the hardcore-ish merry-go-rounder "Maliseti Impazzita"). "Cielo Assassino" is a nice semi-ballad, a sign for a bigger potential which never materialized.

Demon Eyes Demo, 1993

VEXEN (CANADA)

A cross between the classic and the modern sound is on offer here which bears interesting "fruit", like the Annihilator-esque more technical "Fistfiler" and the cool up-tempo "Dogs Of War" although the gruff death metal vocals are not a nice "assistance", and some groove support could have been left out.

The full-length is straight-ahead retro thrash which may annoy a bit with the very boosted modern production, and the very expressive edge of the guitars which still take care of several nice melodic moments. The fast lashing sections are intercepted by a few sprawling decisions which bring the winds of groove with them, and don't contribute much except to reduce the dynamics. Fortunately, they disappear near the end for the final string of songs which are prime speedy shredders with an accentuated Germanic sting.

Vexen EP, 2007
The Meek Full-Length, 2012

My Space

VEXOVOID (ITALY)

The EP: this young Italian outfit, who are also known under the name Drunken Corpse with a style closer to thrash/crossover, pull out interesting, intelligent modern technical thrash which is pleasantly fast-paced and deliciously intricate all in the right places. The only bad news is that the EP only contains three tracks (there's a short intro which doesn't count) and they all nicely exemplify the flamboyant style of these talents which sit somewhere between Vektor and Revocation, not as spacey as the former, but by all means more original than the latter. There's a lot of joy to be witnessed here; it's hard to give an example of fast-paced and technical music co-existing so well together... The vocalist doesn't quite match the music's uniqueness though; his semi-death metal-ish shouts kind of resemble the ones of Ron Royce (Coroner), maybe a bit more strained. A full-length is hotly anticipated...
The full-length is here, and the fans of the EP should line up immediately cause this is another notable, highly-progressive shredfest, the only unmitigated pullback, depending on the taste of course, being the fact that the sound has moved even closer to more recent Vektor. In other words, expect spacey fast-paced configurations to occur every few seconds where short headbangers ("Infinite Collector") take turns with more pensive, more thought-out cuts ("Quantic Rupture") as the former side is way more accentuated on with wayward hyper-active shredders like "Waking Mars" tearing the aether. "Galaxy's Echoes" is an 8.5-min masterpiece of progressive metal, the guys "cooking" a delightful "cocktail" of speedy crescendos, quiet meditative soundscapes, and more technical developments with again the shadow of Vektor looming heavily. Not so much, though, on "Prophet of the Void", a supreme technical thrasher with more brutal deathly decorations, the guys weaving cosmic, futuristic rhythms on a constantly speedy base that stays around till the end save for a couple of more psychedelic passages on the closing "The Starforger".

Heralds of the Stars EP, 2014
Call of the Starforger Full-length, 2017

Official Site

VEXXUM (USA)

Based on the full-length, this band play classic roller-coaster thrash which is quite intense on blitzkrieg cuts like "Plague Pit" and "Face the Wither", the more complex payout of "Branded" siding with the entangled Bay-Area tribute "Blood Eclipse" and the effective semi-technical shredder "Twisted Path". "Immovable brings the winds of death metal for a bit, a virulent slab that at least matches the growling deathly vocals, those missing from the nice epic all-instrumental piece at the end "Lost in Infinity". Some of the band members are also engaged with the retro thrash/deathsters Corrupt.

Desensitized EP, 2019
Hidden Evil EP, 2021
Lost in Infinity Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VHS (CANADA)

Based on the full-length, this act offer intense thrashcore which is more on the classic side straddling between full-blooded hardcore and more orthodox retro thrash. The vocals are both guttural deathly and shrieky blacky with a hysterical pitch, but their constant quarrels kind of suit the relentless melee which is reflected in short (1-2min) direct numbers. Some of the musicians also play with the death/grinders Faceless Hulk.
“Quest for the Mighty Riff” exudes classic thrash/crossover which is dissipated by both brutal death metal and sparse ventures into hard and grindcore. Stomping corrosive dramas like “Dagoth Must Die” are truly a rarity, but the listener shouldn’t have problems adjusting to the unbridled intensity of pieces like “Crimson Haired Warrior” and “Cleave 'Em and -Leave 'Em”, the doom-flavoured stomps of “Illias and His Magic Bow” providing the requisite contrast to the majority, this latter motif becoming more prominent in the second half. The vocal duel again results in both harsh witch-like shrieks and guttural death metal grunts, the former side only provided sparingly.

Hi-Fi Horror (Uncut Edition) EP, 2015
Screaming Mad Gore Full-length, 2016

Official Site

VI (CANADA)

Based on "Chaos Immortal", this Canadian duo indulge in brisk modern thrash supervised by guttural brutal death metal vocals. The approach is quite dynamic with a couple of steam-rolling stopovers ("Generation VI") breaking the stride which becomes a bit more playful in the manner of Gandalf and later-period In Flames on "Stranded in the Dark". Still, the headbangers won't sit still on brief explosive moshers like "Cold As Ice" and "8213" which are by-and-large the backbone of this recording.

Descend into Madness EP, 2014
Harakiri EP, 2016
The Art of Violence Full-length, 2017
Chaos Immortal Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VIBRATHORR (CZECH)

Based on "Kingdom", these guys provide a more avantgarde version of the good (now already old) modern thrash with a more jumpy rhythm-section which also leads to a few headbanging moments ("Kingdom"; the explosive 2-min of brutality "This World Of Mine... Pt. 2") not far from Dew-scented and Maze of Torment. There are also shades of hardcore ("... And Hate Starts To Change The World") sneaking in near the end, to add more to the diverse nature of this offering, which may suffer a bit on the vocal side: the singer is a muffled semi-death metaller who gets lost at times amidst the musical landscape.

Self Excitement Generator Full-length, 2006
Kingdom Full-length, 2011

Official Site

VIC VACUME AND THE ATTACHMENTS (USA)

A thrash/crossover unit who attack first with the heavy hardcore-ish abraser "I've Fallen And I Can't Get Up", before they follow suit with the heavy rock-ish "Marion Barry", and the radio-friendly stoner cut "Bitten by a Lizzard". Fortunately, "666" comes to save with more aggressive thrashier rhythms, the shouty inebriate semi-clean but attached vocalist surely the biggest asset here.

Vic Vacume & the Attachments Full-length, 1991

VICE (UK)

Based on "For the Fallen", this act play typical modern power/thrash which rushes onward thanks to a couple of speedy roller-coasters ("Rise", "Strive"), the more moderate "Vultures" turning out a nice more technical shredder. "Exist and Remain' is an epic melodic sing-alonger, and "Left Behind" boasts a few flashy lead sections. The vocalist is a cool clean presence, pitching it more dramatically wherever needed.

The First Chapter Full-length, 2017
For the Fallen Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VICE (USA)

Hardcore-ish thrash recalling Carnivore's debut which surprisingly picks up speed in the middle ("Skies of Fallen"), which immediately brings to mind Exciter and the Dark Angel debut. "Sweet Suicide", on the other hand, introduces power metal, but is a clumsy and an unconvincing closer to this not very impressive demo.

Demo Demo, 1986

VICIOUS (BRAZIL)

This is pretty decent classic thrash which acquires more dynamic tendencies on "Retaliation" and actually "tramples" with might at times ("Trample The Enemy") the interesting semi-technical, choppy shredder "Relentless Collapse" a particular highlight. "Pull The Trigger" is an intense headbanger leaving the title-track to close this effort in a more restrained, Testament-esque manner. The vocalist has a cool semi-clean baritone which is both emotional and moderately intense.

Doped by Hatred EP, 2016

Official Site

VICIOUS AROMA (DENMARK)

Based on the debut demo, these folks indulge in choppy crunchy retro thrash which closely follows the early-Slayer patterns; in other words, expect vicious no-bars-held stuff topped by shouty semi-deathly vocals which try to scream sky-high at times to a pretty laughable effect. There's this weird clean declamatory vocalism that spring up here and there, but music-wise this is right as rain if we exclude the maddening proto-deathy rager "FT Stinks" and the overlong operatic intro.

Demo Demo, 1990
Smell Awaits Demo, 1994

VICIOUS ATTACK (USA)

Based on the full-length, this band play intense no-bars-held classic thrash, the vicious shouty death metal vocals accompanying it aggravating the atmosphere, the latter receiving additional boost by the frequent melodic licks. This is uncompromising headbanging stuff ("Night Witch", "Minister of Death"), the setting quickly acquiring Slayer-esque ("Reign in Blood") proportions on the more aggressive material, with "Slender Man" turning the tables towards the realms of death, the pacifier coming on the form of the heavy stomping "Consumed".

Blade of the Reaper EP, 2009
Vicious Attack EP, 2012
Declaration of War Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VICIOUS BLADE (USA)

Based on the "Siege of Cruelty" EP, these folks provide retro thrash with harsh semi-shouty death metal vocals courtesy of a girl. The music is a blend of fast-paced violators ("Scavengers") and simplistic crossover hymns ("Speed, Leather and Hell"), and the cool semi-technical aggressor "Wretchedness of Existence", the highlight on this brief but enjoyable slab.
The full-length comprises intense moshing retro thrash, the girl’s hoarse hysterical shouty timbre clearly on the intimidating side of the spectre. “Lunacy” is a wild shredder backed up by both “Mistress of Death” and the proto-death madness “Visceral Weakness”, short to-the-point brutal messages, the approach tamed to an extent on the calmer mid-pacer “Forged Steel”. The second half is stripped-down aggression, the hardcore simplicity of “Nocturnal Slaughter” colliding with the deceptively soothing intro of the otherwise wild unfettered closer “Death Blow”.

Vicious Blade EP, 2020
Siege of Cruelty EP, 2022
Relentless Force Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VICIOUS CIRCLE (CANADA)

This is a 3-songer comprising decent old school power/speed/thrash, the band lashing their wild sharp riffs on "Enemy Storm", toning it down for the mid-paced power/thrash march "Break of Light", "Surrender to My Fate" speeding up again in a more streamlined speed metal fashion, the singer sticking to an acceptable, not very expressive, semi-clean mid-ranged timbre. Some of the musicians are also engaged with the modern post-thrashers Viciousphere.

Viciousphere Demo, 1991

VICIOUS CIRCLE (USA)

"The Art Of Agony" is a masterpiece of aggressive, also very technical, mixture of death and thrash metal. The prevalent very fast tempo is intercepted by twisted technical passages the latter taking a nicer shape on the less intense material (the hectic abstract "Neurotic Reminders"; the hallucinogenic Voivod-ish "Lord of Shit"). "I Remain in Filth" is standout speedy technical thrash/death in the best tradition of Pestilence and Atheist, followed by the creepy labyrinthine "Live Long and Suffer". The masterpieces don't end here, and the very next "Phantasia Through Agony" will make your head spin with its swirling riffs and the few weird proto-modern moments ala Coroner's "Grin". "Triple Murder Suicide" is vintage Pestilence's "Testimony of the Ancients" with an even more complex abstract twist. "Phantom Pains" is a hammering more controlled (speed-wise) technical thrasher, a marvelous nod to Coroner's "Mental Vortex". "Unfullfillment" finishes the album's flirtation with thrash, and is a total death metal brutality, of course with numerous technical decorations, quite close to Hellwitch and Atheist. "Wishing the Djinn Away" isn't too far behind if we exclude the more laid-back thrash break in the middle. "Spiritual Deformity" is an encyclopaedia of technical death metal (not much thrash here) twisting and turning in many directions recalling almost every practitioner of the style of both more recent and not so recent times. "Written in Flesh" thinks about the thrash to wrap it up as a closer, lashing fast technical riffs to an overwhelming effect again recalling the escalating drama of the staple vortex Coroner delivery. A technical thrash/death metal fan's collection simply can't possibly exist without this album which puts together all the trade marks of the genre without sounding trite or derivative, giving a strong push forward to the style at "dry" for the technical side of metal times when neither of the mentioned in the review "veterans" from the technical scene were around.

It was the debut which has actually started this madness lashing out in a furious manner not miles away from the Sadus debut, but there's the presence of quite a few clever technical leanings, and this mixture easily reaches out towards the Hellwitch first effort, too: it gets wonderfully chaotic and jumpy ("Re-Creation") in a way also similar to Atheist's "Unquestionable Presence". Some of the best blends of aggression and technicality can one find here: the brutal death/thrashterpiece "Demons of My Past"; the ultra-fast fists of fury "Not Human" and "Mutated Form", where the speed may be a bit hard to handle, especially when it comes served with a big portion of twisted ever-changing riffs. "Dying Time" offers a slight relief with a couple of slower almost mid-paced riffs, but all hell breaks loose again very soon after on the whirlwind of hectic technical riffage offered on "Biomorphic Horrors". "Hypnosis" is a great closer, calming down, the only pure thrasher moshing in up-tempo with technicality in the spirit of Kreator's late-80's period, ending this excellent album in a less likely, but very welcome, restrained manner.
The demo shows the band eager to contribute more to the thriving metal scene of the new millennium, and these four numbers are a shining example of the guys' staple technical approach which here is closer to death metal. "Pain Is the Salvation" roams around with dramatic semi-chaotic riffs which never speed up, but stomp and pound their way through a maze of mazey intricately woven spirals. "Killing Culture" speeds up in a brutal hectic manner, citing Cryptopsy and Suffocation as examples to follow the super-eventful rifforama creating disorienting, hallucinogenic atmosphere. "Since Oblivion" brings forward thrash as a vital ingredient sticking to a marginally more linear, less busy delivery. "Fear Everything" is a fearless technical shredder the guys notching up the speed, but expect a most tightly knotted riff-salad towards the middle, all turning into beautifully organized chaos in the second half with unpredictable twists and turns at literally every corner. One can always trust these folks that they will deliver the expected goods, and this short presentation of their talents is no exception making one feel sad, though, that no other products from their camp are in sight at present.

Cryptic Void Full-length, 1993
Live Long And Suffer EP, 1997
The Art of Agony Full-length, 2004
Lifelong Suicide Demo, 2007

Official Site

VICIOUS CRUSADE (BELARUS)

A band who manage to combine folk, thrash, black, and death metal together; on the vocal side we have another combination: of rough semi-death vocals and female operatic ones. There is a use of instruments like violins, bagpipes, etc. It's hard to point at the most thrashy release: probably "The Unbroken" although it's also quite diverse and folk-ish. The wide variety of styles displayed by Vicious Crusade might not appeal to every thrash metal fan.

"Freedom Comes" focuses on the folk/pagan melodies, and consequently wouldn't be a very big thrash metal fan's entertainment. Except for the thrash/speed delight "The Man With Heart Of Gold" there's not much aggression present, and the overall style isn't very far from Skyclad.

Life That Kills Full-length, 1996
Faces Of Vice EP, 1997
The Unbroken Full-length, 1999
Messiah... Isn't it Me? EP, 2001
Forbidden Tunes Full-length, 2002
Freedom Comes Full-Length, 2009

Official Site

VICIOUS KNIGHTS (GREECE)

Based on the full-length, these folks serve classic thrash/death which storms ahead with both aggression and melody, both elements nicely balanced throughout, the vicious shouty death metal vocals spearheading the intense show which can be quite extreme ("They Cast No Shadow") at times, the band racing with the speed of light ("Sleep With The Ghouls") here and there, the more serious clout of the final "Disenchanting the Matter" revealing a more ambitious side of this outfit who were previously known as Obsession, where the style was pretty much the same.

Malevolent Spirits EP, 2018
Alteration Through Possession Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VICIOUS VISION (MOROCCO)

Modern thrash with covert crossover elements; the delivery is quite dynamic although "BodyFence" is a heavy hitter with sharp punishing riffs, and ""Burst into Chaos" is a cool semi-technical chopper. "Free of Mind" entertains the 90's generation with optimistic thick grooves, but the nice Oriental motifs save those weak moments towards which one can also count the unfocused jumper "El3ar". The vocalist shouts in a not very well disguised death metal manner, his contribution only missing from the idyllic ambient all-instrumental closer "Time Ain't Enugh".

Ain Full-Length, 2020

Official Site

VICTIM (GERMANY)

Based on the full-length, this act provide intense ripping old school power/speed/thrash, the headbanging factor very well exemplified by the pummeling opener "Die Alone", the guys marching on with the epic power progressive "Temple of Tikal" and the diverse speed/thrashing melee "Resurrection of Medusa", the vocals rough and semi-clean recalling James Hetfield on occasion, but holding shades of melody whenever needed. Watch out for the short sweeping "Urge to Kill", a heads-down musical massacre which is the most aggressive cut here by a long shot.

The Necronaut EP, 2013
Blood Will Follow Blood EP, 2015
Endless Source of Hate EP, 2018
Planet of Graves Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VICTIM ICED (GREECE)

Based on "Pieces", this act, who were earlier known as Victimized, provide dynamic classic thrash topped by gruff semi-shouty vocals. The production is not the best one in the world, but the guys try hard to impress either with heavy semi-technical choppers ("World Of Enemies") or with fast ripping roller-coasters ("Ghost"). The mixture seems to work although the sound quality again leaves something to be desired.

The Sinner's Plead Full-length, 2017
Victim Iced EP, 2017
Pieces Full-length, 2020

Official Site

VICTIM YIELD (MACEDONIA)

A good thrash/death metal band coming from a country which doesn't have many traditions in this field, but this doesn't seem to be a problem for the appearance of quality acts like this. The sound is rooted in the late 80's/early 90's, accompanied by a double vocal attack: one of the more hysterical Jeff Walker-like type, the other being low death metal grunts, not too far from Chris Barnes himself. The music, however, is closer to thrash with nice tempo changes (from slower to mid-paced, to fast) without going into blast-beat extremes.

Sentenced To Live Demo, 2005
Voice of Consciousness Demo, 2005

Official Site

VICTIMARIUM (COLOMBIA)

Raucous retro thrash that offers both lofty melodies ("Shadows of Sorrow") and heavy atmospheric excursions ("Holy Inquisition"), the speedy factor not that important here, the pulverizing "Insanity" the sole shot at more aggressive glory, a thrash/crossover saga which partly epitomizes the rough mean semi-clean vocals.

Underminded Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VICTIMISED (IRELAND)

Based on the debut demo, these Irish folks play heavy, steam-roller thrash which doesn't stray too far from the mid-paced parametres, but the intensity is admirable (check out "Undeniable Truth") and the leads are really good contrasting with the hard-hitting unmelodic riffs. The singer is a guttural death metal semi-shouter. "Trapped in a Corner" at the end isn't a Death cover but is another seismic stomper.

Lifeblind Demo, 1995
New Breed Demo, 1996

Facebook

VICTIMIZED (COLOMBIA)

Based on the "Self Destroy" EP, this band pulls out cool retro thrash with some crossover overtones. The music is speedy and light-hearted, and the guitarists try to stick to the more melodic trends, ably supported by the good clean alternative vocals.
The full-length is a commendable achievement the band displaying their skills much more fully now, the razor-sharp riffs cutting all over also leaving plenty of room for melodic hooks. Cuts like "Not Made In China" and "Genocide" are admirable energizers leading the show on this uplifting roller-coaster which softens a bit near the end on the friendly power metal anthems "Deadmocracy" and "Sign of Hate". The vocalist is more aggressive and meaner this time lacking the melodic twists which graced his performance earlier (could be another singer?).
"Brain Destroyed" is another no-brainer, definitely not destroyer, ripping old school thrash which seldom pauses for a break with intimidating rippers like "Claustrophobia" and "Beware Of... Human City" keeping the headbangers inordinately happy with the fast lashing riffs, the crossover feel of old reflected in the shorter material ("Drinking Team", "Neckbreaker") as all the nuances come together as one big ball of polished fury which only loses steam for a bit towards the end ("Tough Choice") where the sound quality drops inexplicably.
"Sonic Violence" doesn't change the chosen course, the guys lashing brisk fiery riffs to no end, the pounding drama on "Shit Happens" aptly supplemented by the more melodic configurations of "The Cage" and the ripping immediacy of "Back Off". "$60 Bucks" is a brief sweeping speed metal joy, and the contrived wonder "Aggression Pact" bets more on technicality than aggression.

Brain Damage EP, 2007
Self Destroy EP, 2009
Born Corrupt Full-length, 2016
Brain Destroyed Full-Length, 2019
Sonic Violence Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VICTIMIZER (DENMARK)

Based on the second EP: vintage old school speed/thrash akin to early Destruction, Sodom and Cranium; good stuff featuring two covers: Motorhead's "Ace Of Spades" (but of course!) and Nunslaughter's "In The Graveyard".

"The Final Assault" waves the flag of German speed/thrash metal high, only seldom slowing down for the odd mid-section. Things slightly get out of control on "Demons in the Night", which becomes more extreme adding some black and death metal, a situation "worsened" by the vicious black metal vocals which spring up at the same time. An "excuse" is immediately brought to the fore, in the face of the glorious speed metal joy "No Escape from the Jaws of Hell" and the raging speed/thrasher "Pentagram Warfare". "Running Wild in Nuclear Street", despite its very promising title, is the only not as fast track, stretching into power metal. The band members have another project: the death/black metal outfit Church Bizarre which seems to occupy the bigger portion of their time of recent years.

Communist Crusher EP, 2003
Rapid Thrashing Violence EP, 2007
The Final Assault Full-length, 2007

Official Site

VICTIMS OF INTERNAL DECAY (USA)

Based on the demo, these guys indulge in aggressive thrash which offers several time and tempo-changes in a way not too far from the Infernal Majesty debut to which this obscure effort owes a lot. At times the band get carried away refusing to speed up for prolonged sections (check out the dark pounder "Death Dealer") and indeed, the speed is missing for longer periods than the thrash metal fan's heart would be able to hold. The end compensates for that not without the help of the rigorous hardcore-ish closer "You Stink You Suck". The singer isn't bad at all with his forceful quarrelsome semi-clean timbre. Some of the musicians are still around with the stoner/doom formation Griefhammer and the grind/death metal monsters Domesticide.
The "Terminal Happenings" demo is brutal unrestrained thrash/proto-death which breezes by like one big wall of noise as the sound quality is really muddy, and although separate segments from it are surely worth savouring (the balladic passages from "Bart"), this isn't stuff for the squeamish, "Terminus" being a clearer more tamed thrasher, and "Puke" being a short near-full-on-death outrage.

Democrazy Demo, 1989
Terminal Happenings Demo, 1990
Victims of Internal Decay Full-length, 1993
Resin 67 Sessions Full-length, 1996

Official Site

VICTION (NORWAY)

This act indulge in modern thrash with both stomping roller-coasters ("Darkest Debris") and more varied dramatic sagas ("All Will Die"), the semi-declamatory harsh vocalist becoming a tad cleaner and more attached on the faster-paced material ("Dance Inside the Sun"). "To Be Gone, to Be Free" is an interesting elegiac proto-doom closer, the band willing to stretch beyond the strict thrash confines.

Darkness, We Are God Full-Length, 2023

Official Site

VICTUS VINDICTUS (USA)

This is pretty cool progressive power/thrash supervised by excellent clean emotional vocals reminiscent of Tom Mallicoat (Lethal), but this is a more versatile performance also courting Scott Holderby (Mordred), with some notable high-pitched screams epitomized at various stages throughout. Music-wise this is more of a Sanctuary soundalike, "Forevermore" a potent progressive heavy stroller with energizing galloping rushes, and "Beacon of Flame" being a stomping technical all-instrumental shredder with nervy jazz-like jolts and potent dark overtones. "Crunching Machine of Jupiter" unleashes a portion of steel moderate gallops, a venerable nod at the guys' motherland's heritage, "Decaying Tower" moshing with thumping elephantine strides, a hypnotic mid-tempo intricacy which also boasts some fine lead guitar histrionics. "Blackened Pages" is a more virtuoso-prone number, a masterpiece worthy of Crimson Glory's "Transcendence" even, a more intense thrashier proposition which finalizes this first-rate effort.

Chapters of Woe Demo, 1991

Youtube

VIETNAM (JAPAN)

Based on the "Full of Mistake World" demo, punk-looking these Japs indulge in headbanging retro thrash/crossover that is both bashing and quirky on "Bad Sympton", before "Samurai" switches onto full-on speed/crossover ala the S.D.I. debut, with more punk/hardcore variations arriving with the unpretentious "Maze". Expect merry optimistic tunes to befall you in the second half, including a cool heavy/power metal deviator ("Hametsu") and an effective dark minimalistic creeper ("Neppa"). The vocalist is a rough death metal semi-reciter, a sinister authoritative presence all over despite his not very suitable timbre.

Demo #1 Demo, 1986
Demo #2 Demo, 1987
Full of Mistake World Demo, 1988

Youtube

VIGALANTE (NORWAY)

Based on the "Last Call for Humanity" demo, this act pull out perfectly legitimate old school thrash which even recalls their semi-neighbours from Denmark Artillery. In other words, expect sharp semi-technical developments all over, especially on the excellent dramatic instrumental piece "If It Walks Like a Duck", the simplistic hardcore-ish parade "Every Other Word I Say (Is Fuck)" a seeming unpretentious filler. The rest is either full-on thrash assault ("Planetary Suicide") or more laid-back intricate rifforamas ("Save Your Breath"), the hoarse semi-clean singer providing the requisite support behind the mike without shining too bright. Some of the band members also played with the retro thrashers Point Blank.

No Man's Land Demo, 1989
Last Call for Humanity Demo, 1991

Youtube

VIGALANTE (USA)

Based on "No Man's Land", this outfit provide cool, expertly-executed classic thrash which, the singer a throaty shouty semi-deathster, leading the show which ranges form more complex walkabouts ("The Killing Doesn't Cease") to short sweeping breezers ("Aftermath"), the more frivolous hardcore character of "Preppy Death" creating more relaxed atmosphere for a bit, the nice melodic power/thrasher "No Comment" sweeping the laurels with its more pleasantly contrived nature.

No Man's Land Demo, 1989
Last Call for Humanity Demo, 1991

Youtube

VIGILANCE (USA)

Decent modern/classic power/thrash with very good powerful female vocals which aren't strangers to spastic hellish death metal shouts when necessary. The friendly groovy bounces of "No One Wins" give a good idea about what happens here, mildly entertaining music also adding the odd heavy ballad ("Rise Again") as well on top of brisk dramatic power/thrashers ("Dark Territory") and steady mid-tempo anthems ("New Dimensions"), this last element quite reminiscent of the Chastain exploits, the more laid-back power metal hymn "Taking Me Down" inserting a more lyrical but still acceptable touch to this cool light-hearted album.

No Turning Back Full-Length, 2021

Facebook

VIGILANT (HOLLAND)

Based on the "Dramatic Surge" demo, these guys could have found a place under the thrash metal sun easily. Their style fits nicely between the more pounding sharp music of Mandator's "Perfect Progeny" and the more sophisticated, intelligent technical thrash of Mystrez (Holland again). The music is fast-paced without moving into more aggressive waters, despite the clear death metal-ish vocals, recalling Martin Van Drunen's shouts on the Pestilence albums. Only three songs (the last one is actually a very good instrumental) provide you with a non-stop riff-fest which many full-length albums would find hard to match.
The "Oppression" demo is an exemplary extravaganza which will bewilder the listener from the very first note of the opening title-track providing some of the most puzzling time-signatures. Later on things get more dynamic, but the head-scratchiness remains served in a semi-headbanging manner on "Visions Of A Dying World", and twisted to Mekong Delta-sque proportions on the mazey amorphous masterpiece "Biomorph", one of the greatest achievements in the annals of technical/progressive thrash, a constant supplier of surgical, angular musical surreality that will literally stupefy the listener. "Beyond God's Creations" is more quiet with a few balladic throw-ins, and the bass bottom is second to none along with the exuberant stop-and-go riffs which predate their culmination on Coroner's "Mental Vortex" by two whole years. This is a no-brainer for the progressive/technical thrash lovers, worthy contemporaries to Dutch acts like Sacrosanct, Osiris, Donor, Decision D, Paralysis, and even Pestilence if you like.

Dramatic Surge Demo, 1988
Oppression Demo, 1989

VIGILANTE (USA)

After Helstar folded in the late 80's, James Rivera decided to continue his career under this name. This 6-track demo is quite a worthy slab of technical/progressive power/thrash, more complex than the style on "Nosferatu", but not as hard-hitting, although some of the riffs will make you headbang in no time despite their quite elaborate nature. This great collection had two weak spots, though: "Lost to Be Found, Found to Be Lost" and "Black Silhouette Skies". Very ironically, those were the two tracks which were included in the new Helstar "Multiples of Black" leaving the rest much better material aside. On that album Rivera was helped by the same musicians who took part in the recording of the Vigilante demo. Later those guys formed the much inferior groovy thrash act Eternity Black. "Sinister Deity", the great little blistering thrasher, was later included in Destiny's End's brilliant "Breathe Deep the Dark", another "child" (and the best one so far) of Rivera's. This demo, along with the Helstar demo "Demolition" (which is played by the same musicians, and for many is considered the real beginning of Vigilante), was re-released under the title "The James Rivera Legacy" in 2001, and is included in the Helstar discography.

Vigilante Demo, 1991

VII ARCANO (ITALY)

Based on the "Merciless Distortion" demo, this band, whose line-up through the years has included more than half the constellation of the Italian thrash/black/death metal underground, play intense, frequently aggressive, thrash/death metal with the odd technical leaning ("Bloodlust Deficit"), rooted in the old American school.
"Inner Deathscapes" boosts the guitar sound up to the point of annoyance giving the music a strong modern edge. The approach is seldom aggressive and super-fast sitting in the mid to up-tempo realms with stretches towards doom metal the latter not bad, actually, reminding of the Dutch doom/death masters Beyond Belief.

Gather My Blood Forever EP, 1995
Inner Deathscapes Full-length, 2001
Nothingod Full-length, 2005
Merciless Distortion Demo, 2007

Official Site

VIKING (USA)

The band's works are on the opposite sides of the music spectre: "Do Or Die" is apparently inspired by the aggression unleashed by "Reign In Blood" and "Darkness Descends", may be with a more direct and a less musical delivery. Still, one can not completely ignore its sincere stripped-down bashing approach which also shares some of the hardcore aesthetics of same year's Sacred Reich's "Ignorance", and must have been an influence on another exercise in aggression which came before the end of the decade: Evildead's "Annihilation of Civilization". There's no speed lost on this one, all tracks are short fast bullets nailing you down, with only "Valhalla" offering a relief with its mid-paced heavy riffage. Full of energy, but pretty one-dimensional, this effort shows the guys following faithfully well-established models with not too many traces of originality in their style.

Listening to the sophomore album, it makes it hard to believe that these are the same people playing here: "Man Of Straw" is one of the better achievements of the genre from the late-80's with its epic atmosphere, a much better sound quality and occasionally technical nature. Still there is speed and intensity aplenty: the opener "White Death" which thrashes aggressively, but in a much more controlled and convincing way than any track on the debut. The follower "They Raped the Land" carries on in the same spirit, as though the guys wanted to show how much better they can deliver this side of the genre. Towards the middle things start getting more complex and slower with the longer, but still energetic "Winter", and the slightly underwhelming classic heavy metal-styled cover of Pat Benatar's "Hell Is for Children". But things go back to the aggression from the beginning with the awesome smashing "Creative Divorce". The closing "Man of Straw" tries to compensate for the relative lack of technical riffs and pours down great stylish guitars, again served in a fast-paced uncompromising manner. Brett Eriksen, the band's guitar player, later took part in one of the last masterpieces before the genre's demise in the early-90's: Dark Angel's "Time Does Not Heal".
"No Child Left Behind": a very good return for these veterans who decided to give themselves another go. And they do a fairly decent job, mind you: fans of the excellent "Man of Straw" will rejoice at the opener "9:02 On Flight 182" which is a prime energizer setting the uplifting speed/thrash tone of the album. No slouchers anywhere later as "By the Brundlefly" lashes intense riffs to no end the cannonade gracefully continued by "Blood Eagle" and the crisp Hirax-esque "Debt to Me". "An Ideal Opportunity" even brings some death metal drama to the proceedings which stays around for the brutal ripper "Eaten By a Bear". The band's more serious side is eventually given a chance with the long chopper "Wretched Old Mildred" which pounding nature proves infectious for the following "A Thousand Reasons I Hate You". "Helen Behind the Door" is the ultimate furious headbanger which thrashes hard for whole 6-min, matched every bit by the closer "Burning from Within" in terms of intensity and wild aggressive bash. This is a very pleasant surprise even sounding more convincing than "Man of Straw" at times also touching the brutal debut on the more extreme moments; a sure top ten pick for 2015 and not only among the speed/thrash releases. Welcome back, Vikings!

Do or Die Full-length, 1988
Man of Straw Full-length, 1989
No Child Left Behind Full-Length, 2015

Vibrations of Doom

VILE (USA)

Based on the second demo, this act play messy raw thrash which is mostly on the heavy stomping side with a thundering bass bottom which is nothing special, but deafens the other instruments quite a bit. The guys just go through the motions apparently well aware of their limited musical skills serving one-dimensional chaotic music which eventually creates a hypnotic feeling due to the never-changing nature of the riff-patterns topped by attached dramatic shouty semi-declamatory vocals ala Phil Rind (Sacred Reich) which are by far the highlight. Some of the musicians also made one more demo in 1989 under the name Destitute.

Vile Demo, 1986
Demo #2 Demo, 1987

VILE HEX (VENEZUELA)

An old school death/thrash formation with a female vocalist, the name Genesis Farias, who changes the pitch from guttural growls to hysterical screeches ala Jeff Walker (Carcass) and beyond. Otherwise this is thrash what the listener will mostly come across on the music front, the delivery ranging from steam-rolling earthshakers ("Hate") to short proto-blasting outrages ("In the Name of God"). The elegiac doomy "The Summoning" and the semi-technical "The All Seeing Eye" serve the obligatory deviations those enriching the already interesting canvas, giving it a nice encompassing flair.

From the Ashes of Death Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VILE OATH (CANADA)

Old school death/thrash accentuated by both blasting brutalities ("Awaken the Witch"; not many) and abrasive brooding mid-pacers ("Fractured Sky") the latter taking the upper hand before long. "Vile Generation" is a doomy trudger, and "The Otherside" is a friendly doom/semi-balladic elegy, the harsh witch-like vocals, performed by a girl by the way, rudely disturbing the otherwise welcoming atmosphere on this one. "Dead to Me" is another dirgy doomster, the band enlivening the setting with a portion of brisk thrashing riffs.

Awaken the Witch EP, 2018

Official Site

VILE POLITICS

Rough hardcore-ish modern thrash mixing fast and slow passages with gruff semi-shouty vocals ala Wattie (The Exploited).

The Beginning EP, 2008

VILE VINDICTION (USA)

Based on the full-length: ex-members of Malevolent Creation entertain themselves here for the production of this cool intense blend of thrash and death metal which recalls the father band, but clings more towards thrash and features a more interesting semi-technical play at times ("Phantom"). "Death Wrapped in Plastic" justifies its title with a portion of more aggressive blast-beats, but the rest is thrashy of the fast ripping variety finished with the crushing Slayer-esque "Burn Inside". The singer is a staple death metal growler who can also be seen in the retro thrashers Hellcannon.

Vile Vindiction EP, 2008
Moments of Feeble Full-length, 2009

My Space

VILEDRIVER (CANADA)

Based on "The Rest Are Prey", this band play fairly cool modern technical death/thrash which recalls the father band, the technical death/grindcore wizards Starring Janet Leigh that is, and the dizzy stop-and-go-techniques and the twisted riff-patterns should delight the left-hand-path seekers. Cuts like the serpentine "Fractured" and the spastic "Boredroom" easily border on mathcore, whereas "From Afar" is an exemplary modern tech-thrasher with all the manic hysteria indigenous to the genre. Please, welcome also the neurotic creepy Confessor-esque "The Few" and the excellent hectic thrashisms on "Deathblow", the dynamic death vs. hysterical blacky vocal duel surely making the setting even more volatile.
The debut is more on the death metal side, but is another delectable slab of contrived, not very predictable, music. The approach twists and turns in all possible directions, sometimes staying within the psychotic mid-paced confines ("Embedded in Stone"), sometimes branching out into spasmodic mathcore convulsions ("Frightened"). "Gagrag" is a dynamic nervy spin-arounder, and "Fleemarkt" is the only more overtly aggressive cut here, a death metal-ish tractate on near-dazzling brutality lore; the spastic jazz-like configuration of the closing "Your Religion Has Failed You" further complicating the already very entangled landscape.

Primary Full-length, 2017
The Rest Are Prey Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VILEFUCK (SWEDEN)

These guys offer aggressive retro thrash/proto-death in the spirit of Morbid Saint and Incubus' debut. The shreds are brutal, but professionally executed, and later on there are slower moments to be savoured. "Fuck the System" borders on death metal, and "Thrash and Destroy" after that acquires more stomping qualities at a certain stage to alleviate the situation. "Invisible War" is another heavy pounder, introducing the interesting closing opus "Maze" which rolls on with fast galloping riffs for more than 8-min to a fairly positive effect, not forgetting about the brutal blasting sections in the beginning. The singer is a subdued semi-death rasper who sits somewhere between early Mille and Rogga (Merciless).

What Lies Ahead Is Already Dead Full-length, 2009

Official Site

VILEMASS (ITALY)

Based on the full-length, this Italian trio play retro thrash/death which is on the choppy semi-technical side, with a lot of stop-and-go gimmicks epitomized all over, the hectic unpredictable character of cuts like "Carnage By Slut" strong reminders of early Suffocation. The vicious guttural vocals also bring the references in this direction, but watch out for the blaze of headbanging insanity that is "Blaze To Sanity", and for the steam-rolling piece of squashing doomisms "Made of Lies".

Drilled by Bullets EP, 2016
Gore Weed Distortion Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VILIPENDIO (BRAZIL)

Based on the full-length, this band play varied modern thrashcore which meanders through its confusing delivery throwing blues, funk, groove, and punk into the mixture. There are a few dynamic songs, mostly near the end, but the majority are scattered mid-pacers without too many hard-hitting moments. The singer is a suitable not very shouty, and not very angry, throat who even manages to elicit the odd more melodic tune.

15 Abismos Full-length, 2001
Um Segundo de Gloria Full-length, 2007

Official Site

VILLAGE IDIOT (USA)

This act provide modern post-thrashcore which steers into both more experimental funky trajectories ("Pistol Whipped") and dooms with the finest on the deeply sinister saga "G-Force Face". The rest is either pounding and groovy ("Beaten Bloody Pulp") or moshing and more classic-bound ("Trapped"), the shouty hardcore singer violating the peace the worst with his confrontational harsh tirades.

Amputee Party Full-Length, 1995

VILLAINIZER (CANADA)

Based on the full-length, this Canadian (since there is only one person behind all this: the name Rob "The Arab Villain", also a member of the power/speed/thrash metal masters Sixguns Over Tombstone) offers catchy classic speed/thrash with fast sharp riffs and very cool Oriental leads. The man honours Kreator and Tankard, above all, but there are also moments from the Bay-Area ("Eye the I in Kill"), and "Terrorplane" is a sure-handed speed metal winner followed by the short explosive thrash/crossover anthem "Lockerbomb". The guy's "infatuation" with terrorism and bombs reaches the culmination on the final "Post Bombem (A Song for Osama)" which is a raging thrasher (no relations to Slayer music-wise despite the title references) with again, Tankard, a prime influence. Vocal-wise the man is a dead ringer for Tom Angelripper, and his antics are intelligible with a certain spiteful edge (after all, see the lyrical concept behind the album).

"Reign in Terror": the epic/pagan intro "Chant" misleads big time since there's no change of direction here, the good old speed/thrashing starting right after with the explosive "Turbanator" the guy spicing his venomous approach with plenty of catchy melodic tunes some of them genuine Oriental motifs. The music is now more polished, and the rough early Tankard "pyrotechnics" are seldom heard the man trying to come up with his own individual style as hard as this endeavour can be in the contemporary over-saturated scene. The Oriental connection remains for the most of the material presented disappearing for the final string of tracks which are full-on speed/thrash with infectious melodic leads. Another reference to Slayer comes with "Raining Bombs" which this time is also a music-wise allusion the guy thrashing with passion recalling the mentioned American veterans. There's nothing wrong here all this served with a very good sound quality and the staple attached Angelripper-esque vocals.

The Villainizing EP, 2010
I Bomb New York Full-length, 2011
True Me(n)tal EP, 2012
Reign in Terror Full-length, 2013

My Space

VILLAINS (USA)

Based on the debut: death/thrash/black metal with hateful vocals; mid-paced, reminiscent of old Celtic Frost and their compatriots Usurper, with a few faster passages.
"Lifecode of Decadence" is much more dynamic with the faster numbers dominating: the cool classic speed/thrasher "Headless Excruciator", where one can hear good high-pitched shrieks ala King Diamond; the vicious thrash/death killer "Scumbag Preacher"; the brutal black/death metal bomb "Crawl To The Cave"; the terrifying black metal outrage "Blacklisted". The slower tracks now carry the post-black/groovy spirit of acts like Thorns and more recent Satyricon, and the last "Necks In The Noose" is a good attempt at symphonic black metal ala Bal-Sagoth.
"Road To Ruin" concentrates more on the atmospheric black metal side, and as such delivers almost as good coming as a weird blend between Thorns and early Voivod. The fast moments have been reduced to a minimum (parts from "Acid Punk" and "Narc Violence"), and those will remind you of the black/thrash boogie of more recent Darkthrone. This is avantgarde stuff with only the vicious raspy vocals remaining to recall the band's earlier output. This is eclectic music with interesting dissonant riffs some of them even recalling the surreal post-black landscapes of Virus, and although there is not much real thrash metal to be heard, this effort is a nice entry into the more offbeat, left-hand-path side of music.

"Never Abandon the Slut Train": who wants to abandon the "slut train"?! The sweetest train in the world... Now seriously: the band have messed it up big time here providing mish-mashy amateurish music which mixes early Venom and Bathory with slower proto-Hellhammer riffs to a not very positive effect. "Corrosion Explosion" manages to restore some faith in the middle followed closely by the cool twisted energizer with the entertaining title "Drinking Double Acting Single", those two tracks coming with a better sound quality as though having been recorded more recently than the rest. This is by all means a setback compared to the previous offering the guys returning to the rehearsal/demo stages both production and music-wise. Unfortunately, one can never be sure that with music like that around there will be any "sluts" left on this "train"...

Drenched In The Poisons Full-length, 2007
Lifecode of Decadence Full-Length, 2009
Road To Ruin Full-length, 2011
Never Abandon the Slut Train Full-Length, 2013

Official Site

VILLAINY (HOLLAND)

Based on the 2012 demo, this Dutch trio pull out consistent semi-technical surreal thrash with both modern and classic shades with a wide gamut of tempos and moods covered, early Celtic Frost an obvious influence on the shorter and more immediate "City of Secrets" which is mostly macabre mid-paced rhythms with a few semi-lead passages. The other track is an engaging 9-min opus with strong progressive tendencies touching the discordant abstract atmosphere of the early-period Voivod efforts. The singer has a mean death/black tone which is always comprehensive and perfectly matches the sophisticated, but sinister music.
"Villainy II: Dim" is a very atmospheric, offbeat effort which is overfull of quiet, meditative interludes between the actual songs the latter breaking the monolithic delivery which livens up on the short headbangers "The Soul Is Untouched" and "Inside Her Hide and Fire" the latter a stylish Voivod-ish abstracter. Alas, most of the album is long, black/doom opuses which are surely an engaging listen, but are too one-dimensional at times with no shades of thrash.

Demo Demo, 2011
Demo Demo, 2012
Villainy I Full-Length, 2013
Villainy II: Dim Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VILLON (HUNGARY)

Modern groovy post-thrash with a few more energetic elements (“FelelemNelkul”) floating around, including the steady steam-roller title-track. The cool mid-ranged clean singer does a decent job all over, his performance on the semi-balladic trot “A Kor” particularly noteworthy. Pay attention to the stylish pounder “Komor” and the only true retro thrash revelation “Szikra”.

Graffiti Full-length, 2002

VILU (CHILE)

This is retro thrash/death accompanied by vicious spiteful death/black vocals. The musical approach clings towards the more complex, the intricate spin-arounds of "Detras de las Paredes" pairing well with the dark elaborate decisions on "Vilu". "Alter Ego" is a standout technical piece, full of clever entangled rhythms, "Black Fire" flirting with the heavier less exuberant side of the spectre. "Instinct, Rage Alive (I.R.A.)" thrashes with style once again, the sudden speedy accumulations tearing the aether at will, the ending a more downbeat occurrence reflected in the creepy atmospheric "Victims of Life". Some of the musicians are also active with the speed metallers Witches Sabbath.

Uden Vilu Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VINCENZO MARRETTA (ITALY)

This Italian virtuoso concentrates on the riff and as such would be interesting to the thrash metal fans who will find his approach to the genre too atmospheric perhaps, and not very intense. Regardless, the man knows what he's doing on energetic cuts like "A Lifetime Ago" and heavy imposing doom/thrashers like "Human Evil", not to mention the vitriolic shredder "Finally Dead" which is brilliant technical thrash and raises the lathe quite high near the end. Vincenzo also provides unobtrusive hoarse semi-clean vocals to assist his guitar exploits which would hopefully grace other recordings in the future.

Here I Am At The End FullLength, 2015

VINDER (GERMANY)

This band was formed by members of the heavy metal heroes Tyran' Pace, who, as you know, lost their singer Ralf Scheepers to Gamma Ray in the distant past, and here have decided to give a more aggressive edge to their traditional metal style. The album wastes no time proving its worth in the thrash metal department, moshing out from the very beginning with the brisk thrashy opener "Dust to Dust" and the following "Demon's Hate", which is more of a power/thrash mix, but delivers the goods all the same. "Trash of Society" (no, there's no mistake in the title) slows down a bit, introducing melodic guitar harmonies ala Iron Maiden among the harder proto-modern riffage. "F.U.C.K. This" is a good mid-paced stomper with tasteful lead guitar work, courtesy to Oliver "Oli" Kaufmann who, apart from Tyran' Pace, also takes part in the modern power/thrashers Runamok. "Mr. Knowitall" is a reminder of the guys' heavy metal roots: a cool hard'n heavy anthem, but "Slave" comes splashing with furious sharp riffs and fast tempos. "Pandora's Box" preserves the headbanging atmosphere in a slower, more laid-back power metal manner. "TV Kid" scores high in the speed/thrash metal department after which arrives the only filler on the album: the soft, somewhat pointless rock semi-ballad "Visions of Time", which doesn't really deserve to carry the album-title. Fortunately the closer "Whore Babylon" doesn't betray the energetic pace producing more intense thrashing riffs as a finishing touch, not forgetting about catchy melodic hooks. This is a cool debut which makes a fine bridge between the softer and the more extreme side of metal by finding a good balance between the two sides with more nods towards the harder one.

Visions of Time Full-length, 2006

Official Site

VINDICATOR (UK)

A 3-song EP providing retro speed/thrash with more intense death metal vocals. The guys play fast with very cool lead guitar work, a situation ruined quite a bit by "Don't Believe A Word", which is a soft hard'n heavy piece, making no contribution to the tone of the remaining two tracks, and is a fairly underwhelming exit from this energetic slab of the good old speed/thrash.
The full-length is finally out, and the guys make themselves heard with an appetizing blend of speed and thrash playing fast and tight with frequent melodic excursions (check out "Cathedrals Of Despair"). The shorter material ("Ritual Slaughter") dangerously borders on death metal, but there's some respite offered on more moderate mid-pacers like "Plaguebearer". "Black Mass" is a more diverse shredder with numerous influences embedded to reach almost progressive proportions the latter also reached on the following atmospheric opus "Event Horizon". For the end the band have preserved a cool, abrasive cover of Venom's "Countess Bathory".

Outbreak EP, 2009
Undead In Leather Single, 2011
Black Sacrament Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VINDICATOR (USA)

The guys from the progressive thrash metal band Violent Night formed this band after failing to produce the necessary attention towards their previous formation, which is really strange, and unjust, having in mind the good quality of the Violent Night music. With Vindicator they concentrate on more simplistic, straight-in-your-face classic 80's thrash (based on the debut) crossing the Bay-Area style with Germanic influences. The tracks are short, fast-paced, full of catchy, but hard-hitting riffage, and lyrics and song-titles making references to numerous 80's veterans (check them out to get a better idea).
The split is another delight for the retro headbangers moshing out with force with the opening "The Dog Beneath The Skin" which sets the tone for what follows, with only "Humanarchy" deviating into calmer mid-tempo grounds. "Old & Decrepit" is a nice epic thrash instrumental, with which finishes the original part of this effort; the rest is 2 covers: the punk legends Anti-Nowhere League's "I Hate People" and "U.S.S.A." of the speed/thrash masters from the 80's Indestroy.

"The Antique Witcheries" doesn't betray the classic sound, but the approach is laid-back this time with obvious power metal elements, and one will be relieved to hear the nice short headbanger "Fear Monger" after a string of mellow power/thrashers. After two soft short instrumentals the guys bang the head again with "Quarry Rats" and with the vigorous speedsters "Raze the Dead" and the early Metallica worship "The Antique Witcheries". Fortunately the speed and energy remain until the end, and there is seldom slowing down even to mid-pace. After the shaky underwhelming start the band find the way to do it right not before long, and this effort is almost as convincing as the debut sounding more diverse, mostly to a positive effect. Some of the musicians give way to their more aggressive nature with their side-project Cryptic Stench where the concentration is on brutal death/grindcore.
"United We Fall" is a faithful follow-up speed/thrashing onward relying on several more melodic tunes in the power/thrash metal mould ("Hail To The Thief") where the melodic leads are particularly good. Still, the prevalent attitude is fast-paced and more intense even on longer more serious takes on the genre like "Divided We Stand... United We Fall" which is a diverse offering with a sprawling balladic section. There's nothing really extraordinary or groundbreaking going on here, but as a fitting effort into the band's catalogue this album puts no foot wrong.
"Communal Decay" is a more moderate affair, with some power metal sensibility ("Kill the Rich") sneaking in, the prevalent mid-tempo veneer also overtaking the shorter material. "Life Support" begs to differ with a more energetic layout, including in the virtuoso lead department, but save for the brief speedster "Poison in Us" there isn't any vigour displayed later on, the band taking it easy, relaxing with more laid-back, less confrontational tunes.

There Will Be Blood Full-length, 2008
Outbreak of Metal Vol. I Split, 2009
The Antique Witcheries Full-length, 2010
United We Fall Full-Length, 2012
Communal Decay Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VINDICTION (USA)

This is typical for the time modern post-thrash, a confrontational aggro-affair which is led by intense quarrelsome semi-shouty deathly vocals. On the music front we have lively mid-pacers ("The Chosen One") crossed with near-doomy clumsers ("Road To Hell") those saved by the proficient wa-wa leads. The more complex layout of "Communist Democracy" is by all means a plus, but even on that one some monotony gets instilled invariably, although the hoarse clean vocals inserted are a really nice touch, the stomping doom-ornate closer "Never Lasting" another one, also thanks to a speedy revelation at the end. Some of the musicians are also busy with the death metallers Dun Moloch.

Hang You Out to Die Full-length, 1997

Youtube

VINGADOR (BRAZIL)

While the whole world is waiting for a follow-up to Agressor's excellent "Victim of Yourself", the guys appear under a different name and play more melodic power/thrash which lacks the sharpness of the aforementioned effort. Actually, they initially emerged as Dark Side, but later decided on a name change. The focus is more on mid-paced pounding riffage but moshers like "Circle of Death" will make any headbanger's day easily, and the latter will also savour the excellent lead guitar work. Still, this album holds no candle against "Victim of Yourself", and the fans should pray the band continue under their old moniker.

Dark Side Full-Length, 2012

Official Site

VINGANCA SUPREMA (BRAZIL)

Classic speed/thrash/crossover reminiscent of early S.D.I. and Nuclear Assault; the guys thrash with force, seldom slowing down with the vocalist unleashing the wailing semi-clean pitch of Reinhard Kruse (S.D.I.) down to the -T-. The guitar work is simplistic and one-dimensional, but there's a lot of sincerity in the approach.

Vingana ao Vivo Demo, 2005
Terror Demo, 2006

Official Site

VINGULMORK (NORWAY)

Based on the full-length, this outfit pull out rocking classic speed/thrash with gruff black metal vocals. The pace varies from one track to another, and the delivery takes a more ambitious, almost progressive, aura when operatic black metal interferes ("(I Am) The Darkness You Can Touch") for a while. The second half brings a characteristic epic touch to the proceedings including leanings towards a more technical approach ("Painting Lives", a fine dissonant ethereal shredder) as well as the imposing doomy closer "It Will Suffice".

The Long March EP, 2014
Chiaroscuro Full-length, 2015

Official Site

VINLAND WARRIORS (CANADA)

Based on "Oath to My Friend", this band offers cool modern thrash, sometimes with an industrial edge, recalling Ministry and Skrew ("Stand Up for Odin"), at other times nicely speeding up with energetic melodic Swedish-styled guitars ("Life"), at others acquiring more melodic epic tendencies ("I'm a Viking"). This is enjoyable diverse stuff which will delight fans of all fields of metal.
The debut has no ties to thrash, but is a cool melodic punk/crossover effort. "Dear Mother" is more aggressive but the punk-ish atmosphere is all over. "Fuck You" is again a take on the lighter crossover sound.

Free Your Spirit Full-length, 1997
We Don't Care Full-length, 2001
Action Reaction EP, 2002
Final Battle Full-length, 2004
Dear Mother Full-length, 2006
Fuck You Full-length, 2007
Oath to My Friend Full-length, 2007
Hand In Hand We Stand Full-length, 2008

VIO-LENCE (USA)

The band came splashing on the scene with "Eternal Nightmare": a steam-roller-like thrash metal attack which remains one of the best thrash metal albums from the Bay-Area all these ears. Once "Eternal Nightmare" reaches your ears with its merciless intense fast-paced riffage, you know you have to prepare for a lot of moshing. Sean Killean has been one of the most characteristic vocals in thrash, and his high declamatory antics, not far from John Connely (Nuclear Assault), give the desirable jolly crossover shade to the songs. A bomb after bomb falls with only "Phobophobia" showing a little mercy with its heavy mid-paced approach.

After such a strong debut it's always the follow-up which goes away with all the blame for not being as good, but in the "Oppressing The Masses"'s case the band have no reasons to worry: the sophomore effort is certainly not as compelling as the debut, but is a pretty satisfying work of classic Bay-Area thrash. "I Profit" promises the same headbanging entertainment, thrashing quite intensely through its 7-min, seldom slowing down. "Officer Nice" is not too far behind, speedy and aggressive, and things look pretty good, with the leads perhaps sounding more proficient. "Subterfuge" is a bit less intense, but there's no heaviness lost on it. "Engulfed by lames" keeps the moshing going, and it's on "World in a World" where for the first time the guys abandon the fast-paced pattern, but only in the 1st half, for the sake of more mid-tempo riffage. "Mentally Afflicted" is again more mid-paced, but "Liquid Courage" comes thrashing with full force, paving the way for the closing "Oppressing the Masses", which is all-out speedy thrash, sounding like a leftover from the debut. Although the approach isn't too different from the one on their first album, it's obvious that the band have not gone out with all the guns blazing on this one, sounding more restrained and less sharp even on the fastest tracks. Still, it's a good moshing fun all the way, with no signs of any shifts towards a more serious song-writing, which has started to take over on the works of some of their contemporaries (Anthrax, Forbidden, Flotsam & Jetsam, Nuclear Assault, Sacred Reich, etc.) that same year.

"Nothing To Gain" is one of the less painful and less compromising answers to the modern 90's trends given by 80's veterans, and as such isn't bad at all, although it remains the band's weakest achievement in their discography. It combines all-out retro thrashers, groove-laden modern numbers, dry almost industrial doomy ("Psychotic Memories") compositions as well, and "Welcoming Party/This Is System" is a cool attempt at more urbanistic technical thrash ala "...And Justice for All". Less than a year later the guitarist Robb Flynn was already ready with his new act Machine Head, that is, to unleash upon the world the modern thrash monster "Burn My Eyes". Demmel found time to release one more album in 1996 under the name Torque, helped by the Vio-Lence bassist Deen Dell, which walks the same early Machine Head road; he later joined the latter for a few spells in the new millennium. At around the same time he also joined forces with the drummer Mark Hernandez (Heathen, Forbidden, Defiance, etc.) for the production of one more effort, more in the industrial metal/thrash territory, as Technocracy.
"Let the World Burn": these veterans are back with a brand-new material, and Sean Killian aptly spearheads another old school thrash attack, which starts in the best possible way with the ravaging "Flesh from Bone", "Screaming Always" adding a slightly more technical edge to the carnage which sounds like having been lifted of the 'Eternal Nightmare" recording sessions. "Upon Their Cross" slows down with a merrier, a tad modern layout, but this is still a rowdy mosher, "Gato Negro" adding more fuel to the sizzling old school thrash engine, another merciless headbanger, the flying speedster the most fitting finish to this excellent return to the scene, a hyper-active lasher again served with a more intricate sting.

Eternal Nightmare Full-length, 1988
Oppressing the Masses Full-length, 1990
Torture Tactics EP, 1991
Nothing To Gain Full-length, 1993
They Just Keep Killing EP, 2003
Let the World Burn EP, 2022

My Space

VIOLATE (CROATIA)

Good retro thrash with hard-hitting riffs and somewhat unsuitable angry hardcore vocals; the tempo is up, and the leads are quite cool with a melodic blend nicely contrasting to the lashing riffage.
The full-length is a mellower affair with more melodic guitars and descents to power metal which overtake the whole space in the middle with long, not very impressive, compositions with dubious thrashy merits. These merits come near the end with "Ancient Legacy" and the galloping shredder "Sick Addiction" which lift the mood up before the closing "Under Pressure" tries something more progressive and complex to mixed results again. This is a new path taken by the band, but kind of seems not very suitable at this stage.

Sick Addiction EP, 2009
Burn the Memory Full-Length, 2013

My Space

VIOLATED (NORWAY)

Based on the "Outbreak of Metal Vol. II" split with the Poles Destroyer, these Norwegians pull out vintage classic thrash metal mixing quite a few influences: at times the music is fast akin to the German school ("Out of Focus"), at times is heavy and pounding sounding like slower Devastation ("Lack of Empathy"). The sound quality is crystal clear making all the instruments clearly heard especially the razor sharp guitars and the powerful semi-death metal vocals the latter again coming close to Rodney Dunsmore (Devastation).
"Only Death Awaits" contains all the five songs from the split, leaving only three new tracks for the fans to enjoy: "What You Give Is What You Get" which is a mid-paced creeper much inferior to the preceding blitzkrieg duo; "Human Illusion" which is late-80's Slayer worship with its heavy pounding riffs; and the peaceful acoustic instrumental "Apokalupsis Eschaton".

Bearing The Weight Of the World Demo, 2005
Reign Of Violence Demo, 2007
Outbreak of Metal Vol. II Split, 2009
Only Death Awaits Full-length, 2009

My Space

VIOLATION (UK)

Based on the "Beneath the Steel Sky" EP, this act serve intense modern thrash/post-thrash which blends fast-paced classic thrash dropouts ("Why") with heavy atmospheric behemoths ("Monochrome Man"), the violent steam-rolling clout of "Beneath the Steel Sky" perfectly matching the quarrelsome shouty vocals. "Endless Hate" is a more dynamic thrashcore outburst, the guys tearing it loose for a not very restrained mid-period Pro-Painesque fiesta.

Beneath the Steel Sky EP, 1997
Aggression Download EP, 1999

Youtube

VIOLATOR (BRAZIL)

Arguably the finest Brazilian retro thrash metal band from the new generation; these guys throw a bridge over the Atlantic Ocean and bring together the two big scenes of thrash: the Bay Area and the German one. "Violent Mosh" comes crashing with 6 tracks of pure classic thrash metal; the guys show skills in both the speedy aggressive and the slower heavier department, although the former suits them better. Stylish semi-technical riffs could also be heard.

One of the best metal debuts in recent years, "Chemical Assault" is an encyclopaedia of classic thrash at its best. It takes no prisoners with its blistering fast-paced delivery. It thrashes like there's no tomorrow, serving some of the most aggressive and fastest numbers in quite a while: "Destined to Die", but when the guys add more technical riffage, things pretty much hit the top: the brilliant Destruction-like "Brainwash Possession", and the superb instrumental after it: "Ordered to Thrash"; no slow breaks here, this is a non-stop thrash assault till the end.
These guys are experts at long EP's, their latest one containing seven whole songs (the one before that was six). "Annihilation Process" doesn't disappoint, though, featuring the same blitzkrieg retro thrash already heard previously; a fast uncompromising attack on the senses crossing the border towards proto-death on the bombastic "Give Destruction or Give me Death". The EP is finished with a nice speedy cover of their compatriots Executer's "You'll Come Back Before Dying" from their debut "Rotten Authorities".
"Scenarios of Brutality" fortunately doesn't direct the ship towards more brutal waters, and this effort is the staple for the band blitzkrieg classic thrash done the right way. So expect fast dynamic cuts shot with the maximum intensity for most of the time the guys adding a cool technical "sting" ("Endless Tyrannies") here and there. There'll be a lot of moshing around here, just try to sit still on impulsive headbangers like "Dead To This World" & "Respect Existence Or Expect Resistance"; you'll seriously defy the laws of nature, and will be respectively punished! Retro thrash can seldom be served with so much intensity and catchiness brought together on almost very track: thrash till death!

Violent Mosh EP, 2004
Chemical Assault Full-length, 2006
Annihilation Process EP, 2010
Scenarios of Brutality Full-Length, 2013

Official Site

VIOLBLAST (SPAIN)

Based on the full-length debut, this act indulge in fast blitzkrieg old school thrash which comes proto-death decorated ("Wielders Of Fear", the heavy early Death-esque "Paths Of Aggression") on the more aggressive material. The steel downpour is never-ending the guys courting the good old Slayer, above all, along the way: just check the vitriolic "Invisible Death", or the slightly more technical mosher "Reprisal". "Bearing Witness" is the seeming deviation with more laid-back, not as fast riffage before the closing "Individuality" shoots the final portion of fiery sharp riffs. The vocals are intense and shouty with a vicious quarrelsome blend.
"Lazarus Abandoned" moshes in a similar to the first instalment vein, with heavy squashers ("Spasm") added to the melee, the more pronounced deathly odour omitted from "The Last Adam's Son" not really matched elsewhere as the guys settle for a marginally more moderate delivery in the second half, the spastic insanity of "Dead Embrace" and the unbridled vehemence of the short brutalizer "Cursed Through the Archaic Gates" tipping the scales in the right direction once again.
The "Ruins" EP is a more modern-sounding slab, the dystopian rhythms of the title-track merging with a few more dynamic strokes later, the delivery becoming more aggressive with a shade of proto-death on "Chapel of the Unknown", a nice diverse opus with a couple of nice twisted riff-vortexes. "In Darkness" is a dark gloomy escapade, still pretty thrashy and intense, "Foe" following the same tenebrous direction, acquiring a more expansive progressive colouring at some stage, the guys compensating for the bleak soundscape instilled with a few nice melodic licks.

Permanent Hate EP, 2014
Conflict Full-length, 2016
Theater of Despair Full-length, 2019
Lazarus Abandoned Full-length, 2021
Permanent Hate EP, 2024
Ruins EP, 2024

Official Site

VIOLEMOSH (USA)

Aggressive raw thrash metal reminiscent of Hallows Eve's more intense material, with certain proto-death metal overtones spread around.

Of the Dead EP, 1989

My Space

VIOLENCE (HOLLAND)

A 3-tracker "Violence" moshing with subdued vigour and hard corrosive riffs, and "Indomitables" thrashing with more passion and curt staccato rhythms, leaving the balladic digressions for "Genocide", an atmospheric piece giving the singer an opportunity to recite some more with a more attached hardcore-ish baritone epitomized.

Demo Demo, 1988

Youtube

VIOLENCE SPREAD (ITALY)

Cool, intense old school thrash ala Anthrax with the same uplifting moshing spirit present as well as the infectious shouty choruses. The riffs are crisp and sharp, and the singer delivers with his mean-ish semi-clean timbre. One couldn't possibly sit still on compulsive headbangers, like "Violence Spread", or the speed/thrash roller-coaster "Food of the Gods". The sound quality is pretty clear giving the desirable boost to the cutting guitars. All the band members are also busy in the death metal formation Nimroth although at this stage they only have one demo released under that name.

Food of the Gods EP, 2010

My Space

VIOLENCIA (PERU)

Classic death/thrash attack is unleashed here, but the sound quality is really bad making the guitars fairly noisy, especially on the faster parts. The delivery is close to the early 90's French school (Massacra, Agressor) with the speed predominating, reaching a grinding pitch near the end, to the slower breaks accompanied by brutal death metal growls.

Hermandad de Muertos Full-length, 2007

Official Site

VIOLENT AGGRESSOR (BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA)

These "violent aggressors" from Bosnia offer "violent" "aggressive" retro thrash which echoes Morbid Saint, Gammacide and Slayer so expect no mercy on this roller-coaster which shoots a "bullet" after "bullet" with the utmost intensity, and should win the listener with its insistent barrage which seldom comes death metal-decorated: "Total Aggression" (the guys seem to like this word, hey!). The surprise is probably thrown at the end "Wish to Kill" being a heavy power/thrashing stomper with catchy sing-along potential even; but, expect a hard thrashing exit in the best tradition of Slayer. The band were previously known as just Aggressor, and some of the musicians also parade as the black metallers Satan.

Unleash the Evil Full-Length, 2014

Facebook

VIOLENT ATTACK (PARAGUAY)

By far one of the finest thrash metal albums of 2006 (and arguably the best debut in the field that same year), these guys unleash a full-out speed/thrash "attack" which will satisfy fans of the speedy side of the German scene (Iron Angel, Toxic Shock, early Destruction) as well as those who like more recent fast players like Cranium and Solitaire. This is very intense and fast music which never slows down for a single second; a must-listen for those who like their thrash fast and aggressive.

The Final Massacre Full-length, 2006

VIOLENT CARNAGE (USA)

Dirgy crusty mid-paced retro thrash which descends to power metal on the more laid-back hymn "The Way", the not very attached clean punky vocalist acquitting himself at times with more passion, the latter largely covering the more energetic speed/thrasher "Lie Till You Die", an expression of bigger dynamic freedom.

Violent Carnage Demo, 1990

Youtube

VIOLENT CHANGES (SWITZERLAND)

Based on the "The Ball and the Chain" demo, this band play modern choppy thrash/post-thrash which has an elusive progressive flair also accentuated by the nice melodic lead sections. The title-track is a leisurely assembled semi-ballad, and "Sad Times Coming" is a more serious intimidating thrasher with diversifying funky excursions. The singer is a not very emotional semi-clean reciter, a not very suitable choice for the mellower musical background.
The "Goblins" demo is just three tracks but is a truly major achievement, "Stormbringer" being a relatively direct epic power/thrasher with vehement galloping decisions; and "Frozen in Time" is a really nice more complex shredder with echoes of Nasty Savage and Helstar. The pretty decent high-strung vocalist is definitely an asset, leading the show assuredly, the latter hitting admirable prog-thrash heights on the diverse intensifier "Violent Changes", a multifarious masterpiece with twists and turns galore, addictive melodic hooks, and more; a no-brainer that would have been a highlight on "Nosferatu" even. This is so much better than the subsequent demo that one can only wonder what possessed the guys to come up with such an ordinary modern post-thrash recording as a farewell gesture.

Goblins Demo, 1991
The Ball and the Chain Demo, 1992

VIOLENT DEFINITION (GREECE)

The demo: this is the new band of ex-Crucifier members; two songs of intense fast Slayer-esque thrash metal with sharp riffs, in a very good sound quality with forceful gruff, but intelligible, vocals.
The full-length debut is finally out, and it also sees the guys adding the drum guru Maelstrom (Ectoplasma, Mentally Defiled, Cross Denied, Thou Art Lord, etc.) to their midst. The opening instrumental "Lethal Presence" clearly shows the guys' intentions with its ripping uncompromising attitude, and later on the band nail everyone down with short spitting "bullets" like "Workaholik" and "Slaves of Obsession" which bring the shadow of Slayer once again the latter staying around till the very end, the moshing party literally never-ending here, with tense headbanging atmosphere created from the first to the last note.
"Progressive Obsoletion" is the next-in-line hyper-active proposition, the more patiently-woven stomps of "The Last Grain in Your Hourglass" a really cool break from the remaining tornado, the latter sheltering the wild unfettered winners "Experimental Failure" and "Deceiving The Psychopompos". The more technical chops of the title-track are by all means welcome, as are the still intriguing walkabouts of "Children Of God", this one winking at the Bay-Area, the previous Slayer influence best reflected in the short ripping "Reprobate Misfits".

Promo Demo, 2010
Life Sentence Full-length, 2018
Progressive Obsoletion Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VIOLENT DRUNKS (MONTENEGRO)

A retro thrash/crossover formation who rush on with brief dynamic headbangers ("Chick", the title-track), the mid-tempo slogan "Fuck You and Your Fucking Alternative" pacifying the restless spirits... not for long as soon do the moshing expletives "1000 Beers... and Still not Enough" and "Robotic Existence" arrive, the band messing it up a little at the end with the lyrical romantic ballad "I Love Ganja", the otherwise hoarse semi-clean singer acquitting himself on that one with a more expressive more attached delivery. Some of the band members also shred with the old school thrashers KK Street Bangers.

Alkobot Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VIOLENT EXECUTION (ARGENTINA)

Based on "Invasores", this act pull out brisk dynamic old school thrash/crossover which isn't a stranger to a few mid-paced pounders ("Pubertarios"), but there's no respite on short outbursts like "Antologia de Pandemia" and "Carpinchos vs. Tinchos", the attached shouty punky vocals reciting with panache for most of the time. Some of the musicians also play with the death metallers Necroticism and the death/thrash formation Skullmasher.

Violent Execution EP, 2013
Grito al sistema Full-length, 2016
Erupción nacional Full-length, 2019
Invasores Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VIOLENT FORCE (GERMANY)

A buried treasure in the German metal underground, Violent Force come up with the essence of German speed/thrash metal combining the more speedy side of the scene (Angel Dust, Iron Angel, etc.) with the more aggressive one (Kreator, Sodom, etc.). There is no speed and intensity spared here: check out the crushing brutal wonder "Soulbursting", or the less-than-2min pure thrashing explosion "Vengeance and Venom". The songs are graced by cool, but short leads, which simply can't be too long on a such aggressive recording. "Sign of Evil" in the middle calms down riff-wise, as it is more speed metal-based, sounding like a very undeserved leftover from the early Helloween albums. But after it the brutal delivery comes back, carrying risks for broken necks from the headbanging one might subconsciously fall into, when listening to this. This is thrashing madness at its uncompromising best, easily one of the best and most intense achievements of the 80's German metal scene.

Malevolent Assault of Tomorrow Full-length, 1987

My Space

VIOLENT FUN (ARGENTINA)

This is direct heads-down old school thrash played with the utmost intensity topped by "violent" "funny" death metal vocals which aren't bad at all, and even carry a shade of melody at times. The guys have "fun" thrashing like demented acquiring the odd more light-hearted speed metal character ("Violent Fun", of all tracks) to relieve the "pain" from this enjoyable explosive effort.

Southern School Of Annihilation EP, 2012

VIOLENT HATE (BRAZIL)

Based on the split, these latecomers on the Brazilian metal scene play good old school thrash metal with a certain Bay Area-influence (Exodus, in particular) and an interesting dark, brooding sound recalling another Brazilian band, The Mist. "Hand of a Witch" is a nice detraction from the predominant style, moving into a heavier direction ala Celtic Frost.

"Preaching" moves towards a more brutal death metal sound alternating longer doom-laden tracks with much shorter more aggressive ones, the former bringing a strong echo of Benediction and Asphyx. The final title-track is the only more thrash-based number, still raging wildly with direct sharp riffs.

Curse Of The Evil One/In Between The Truth Split, 1993
Preaching Full-length, 1995

My Space

VIOLENT MARV (CANADA)

This band offers a multi-layered work where thrash, progressive, death metal, alternative and even jazz meet. The music has the necessary edge, especially on the shorter compositions ("Slave To The Grind"), but the chaotic, jumpy structures are quite common as well, including those where thrash, or death metal are nowhere to be heard ("See Spot Die"); but on the other hand there are the numbers which come with a fairly aggressive sound, with a pinch of grind ("Brick By Brick") even. Certainly, the more complex songs are those which go away with all the praise: the excellent modern progressive thrasher "Colliding Circles" that carries the glorious Death spirit, if we exclude the bad clean vocals; the heavy, dry Meshuggah-esque "Palm Pilot Suicide Note" which, again, is ruined by the alternative ending and the bad semi-clean vocals at the end; the 12-min closer "M.A.R.T.H.A." that is slightly underwhelming because of the lack of speed and the monotonous heavy riffage with an industrial shade.

Synesthesia Full-Length, 2006

VIOLENT NEW BREED (USA)

This "violent new breed" is hardly the most "violent" one around at the time specializing in heavy modern thrash of the more dynamic variety similar to early Pantera going beyond this influence with a couple of more extreme death metal-laced riffs ("Greed"). The singer is moderately angry and quite comprehensible despite his lower-tuned timbre.

Missing Time Demo, 1999

VIOLENT NIGHT (USA)

Based on the "Thrashed To Death" compilation (which doesn't exactly deserve its violent scary title; neither do the band themselves), Violent Night's style is based around technical/progressive thrash metal which is frequently of a high standard featuring really classy numbers: "Gift Of The Nile" is worth mentioning with its magnificent Oriental riffs which also remain for the less impressive, but faster and more aggressive "The End". The main riff from "Censor Reality", on the other hand, will remind you of Metallica's "Seek And Destroy". The more immediate, speed/thrashing tracks also work quite well: "Lock Horns", and aren't "deprived" of more intriguing sections. The only unfocused moment is the heavy modern-ish "Soldier" which kind of doesn't match the stronger material presented on the rest of the album.
"Brave New Holocaust": the band finally made it to the full-length stage with this entertaining roller-coaster which is full of dynamic speed/thrashers like "Seeds of Peace" and "Light the Dynamite", the more complex progressive nature of the earlier repertoire not very extensively covered. The approach touches the more peaceful power/speed metal dimensions ("Bite of the Chrome") on occasion, the galloping vigour of "Undying Love" and the fast-paced sweeps of "Censored Reality" keeping the proceedings within the speedy parametres. Fans of the band's older material will probably be left a bit disappointed from the right as rain delivery, but this effort isn't bad at all, pulled with energy to spare.

Gift of the Nile EP, 2005
Thrashed To Death Best of/Compilation, 2006
Brave New Holocaust Full-length, 2018

My Space

VIOLENT OMEN (UKRAINE)

The demo: after the very cool electronic ambient/trance intro two guys hit us with a modern mix of thrash and death metal with not very overt technical/progressive tendencies. The music packs a punch with sharp riffs and numerous tempo changes, some of which are pure blasting outbreaks. The singer is a low-tuned semi-whisperer with a black metal shade.

"Infernal Express" is more oriented towards thrash metal this time reminding of the classic school as well, but still pretty intense at that not far from Death's later-period. The guitars are sharp and tight seldom slowing down hitting the top on the good Kreator cover of "Tormentor" which is followed by another nice faithful cover of Dark Angel's "We Have Arrived".
"Lunatic Revenge" is a surprisingly fresh offering seeing the band having grown as musicians now sounding quite frenetic and technical at times. "Omnipresent Beast" is already an engaging, hard-to-follow opener with its ever-changing rhythms and time-stretches. The guys never let the speed go down, and the songs generally develop in up-tempo with good stylish leads and a few really cool melodic hooks ("Doomed Masquerade"). "Marathon Of Madness" is a wild frantic headbanger followed by the excellent shredding instrumental title-track which pierces skulls with its ultra-sharp, drilling riffs. Plenty of style at display there is on "In The Last Moment" which is a meandering cut with fine surreal riffage and a brutal bashing passage near the end. From this moment on the guys step on the pedal and produce a final string of fast, intense thrashers which flow into the bonus tracks: a really nice accelerated version of Black Sabbath's "Symptom Of The Universe" done in an impressive cutting, shredding manner; Death's "Zombie Ritual" sustained in a faithful bashing fashion; and a song from their debut, "Waste Of Flesh", done without any changes also featuring their old singer Faunus.

"L.U.N.A.C.Y.": the Ukrainian "lunatics" are here again with another mind-scratching effort which overwhelms the listener with loads of technical riffs from the very beginning on the opening "No Future". Things only get more elaborate from this moment on with "Contradiction Mine" and the hectic speedster "Initials Of A Maniacs". The over-busy musical approach knows no rest although "Book Of Lie" is a bit more relaxed with an 80's speed metal flair. Follows the title-track which is speedy to the point of blasting at some point. The band manage to keep the high speed flowing without breaking the super-technical decisions which reach Toxik and Realm-like heights on the progressive rager "Suffer Count:52" near the end. The closing "Panzer Combat" is a bit more direct with speedy proto-galloping riffage keeping the headbangers happy for just under 5-min. The guys move forward quite confidently, and their Russian counterparts already have a very strong contender for a top position on the technical pedestal over there.

Follow Us Demo, 2009
Infernal Express Full-length, 2010
Lunatic Revenge Full-length, 2011
L.U.N.A.C.Y. Full-Length, 2013

Official Site

VIOLENT PASTELS (USA)

A girl named Emma Box is the only heroine here handling everything including the fierce shouty vocals. Music-wise this is more on the speed/proto-thrash side of the show the girl following the Motorheads and early Venom with passion maybe sounding a bit harsher than those two British legends ("Misery Bound", the violent Slayer-ism "The Unseen Figure"). "Full Fucking Tilt" is a pure early Hirax worship, a bursting explosion lasting for nearly 1-min, but the album also has its more moderate, officiant side: the doomy sleeper "To the Ground". So Emma, this new "princess of the morgue", has taken care of more variety in the end and her effort is by all means a cool classic spirit resurrector.

Princess of the Morgue Full-Length, 2015

Official Site

VIOLENT PLAYGROUND (USA)

A very appropriately chosen title; the band's sound is an enjoyable combination of the two styles mentioned in the album title: heavy slow-ish thrash with blues overtones; will not appeal too much to blues fans, though.

Thrashin Blues Full-length, 1988

Vibrations of Doom

VIOLENT PRAYERS (USA)

This is heavy pounding semi-technical thrash which is also helped by an appropriate use of atmospheric gimmicks and superb lead guitar work the only major annoyance being the inexpressive unrehearsed death metal vocals. "Peanut Butter Death" attempts something funky, but it's so dodgily applied on the much more serious pounding background that it's very close to being a huge spoiler. The awful sound quality could be considered another detriment as it hampers the guitarists' efforts.

Demo Demo, 1992

VIOLENT REVOLUTION (USA)

The demo: four tracks of intense retro thrash which wastes no time nailing the listener down with the hammering opener "All Hail". The steam-rolling urgency of this short ripper is replaced by the fast-paced crescendos on "Damaged" which will indeed damage the environment beyond repair with its vitriolic, battle-like riffs ala Hirax and Viking. "Final Vow" is the slow burner, a seismic stomper shifted by the final "bullet" "Sudden Death" which moshes out for 3.5-min wrapping up this promising effort which also wins from the convincing expressive, semi-clean/semi-declamatory vocal performance.
"State of Unrest": the four cuts from the EP feature here to assist the rest in the production of this retro thrash roller-coaster which now sounds quite close to early Exodus, the opening "Violent Revolution" ripping the speakers like an undeserving leftover from "Bonded by Blood". The other new material isn't a sloucher, either, "Code of Conduct" providing a portion of more intricate riffage to spice the highly energetic proceedings which are also given another boost by the excellent uplifting, pounding closer "Trainwreck" which may indeed cause a few trainwrecks along the way.

Damaged Society Demo, 2015
State of Unrest Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VIOLENT SIN (BELGIUM)

Hard thrashing old school thrashism not far from the early exploits of Kreator and Deathrow. Expect vivid hyper-active bombs ("Malicious Stirring", "Awaiting The Gallows") to befall you on very regular bases, the speed metal proclivities of "Nuns Are No Fun" also bringing Helloween's first two to mind, the mean spiteful vocals recalling the early tirades of Freddy (Necronomicon).

Serpent?’?s Call Full-length, 2023

Youtube

VIOLENT SOLUTION (FINLAND)

This act features future members of the heroes Amorphis. The music is good classic thrash in various paces which breaks a death metal ground on "Paralysis" with a few unexpected blast-beats; consequently producing surprises in the death metal department later on "Individual Nightmare" the aggressive musical delivery supported by the not very audible low-tuned death metal vocals. The production is really muddy, but the guys push on with relentless barrage which shadow can by all means be felt over the Amorphis debut.

Paralysis/Individual Nightmare EP, 1990

VIOLENT VIRTUES (UK)

Modern dry thrash/death metal; fast stuff with a few groovy breaks to which the brutal semi-angry vocals suit better.

Violent Virtues EP, 2009

VIOLENT WISDOM (USA)

Based on the self-titled demo, this act play heavy stomping old school thrash with compulsive fast-paced sections which come straight from the Demolition Hammer and Morbid Saint textbooks. Both tempos alternate on almost every track "The Price of Insanity" crossing the borders of the "good taste" going towards the fields of death metal. The vocalist is a harsh shouty deathster who doesn't spare himself going over the top at times with his unholy rendings. Some of the musicians also played in the death metal formation Dysphoria.
The "Origin of Sin" demo is another slab of heavy seismic old school thrash, "Facts of the Nation" lashing in a more intense fashion, but expect more complex, more atmospheric arrangements on "Among the Massacre" alongside a compulsive fast-paced digression. "Grunge Funk" is a short all-instrumental joke thrown at the end, some kind of a nod towards the already settled numetal vogues.

Mental Meltdown Demo, 1991
Violent Wisdom Demo, 1991
Origin of Sin Demo, 1992

Official Site

VIOLENT X (NORWAY)

This "violent" Norwegian trio indulge in deeply atmospheric thrash/death which is rich in melodies, especially in the lead department. The band death/thrash with more vigour on the shorter cuts and this is where thrash is more prominently displayed: check out the sterile, "shitty" semi-technicaller "A Piece Of Shit". "Cpds" also tries something technical/progressive the latter elements finding a fuller realisation on the closing epicer "Disconnect". The vocalist is a guttural deathly semi-shouter who emits passion even on occasion.

Chemical Insomnia Full-Length, 2015

Official Site

VIOLENTADA (CANADA)

This young Quebec trio, who actually consists of Colombian immigrants, belong to the more straight side of the genre acquitting themselves with excellent aggressive retro thrash metal akin to Devastation's "Idolatry" and Atomica's "Disturbing the Noise". "In The Village of Death" is raging thrashing/proto-death metal madness full of lashing riffs and screaming leads topped by forceful semi-death metal shouts. "Open Fire" is a speed/thrashing roller-coaster with clever semi-technical hooks, with the guy screaming/shouting "Open Fireeeee!" to an apocalyptic effect, to these ears recalling the similar short chorus from Exumer's "Fallen Saint". "Insomnia" has a great stylish lead intro quite reminiscent of the guitar maestro Alex Scholnick (Testament), but later starts thrashing with no remorse producing another fine portion of intense furious music. "Silence So Loud" is a very fitting closer to this short opening chapter moshing out far'n wide in the same "controlled aggression" fashion, with fiery riffs and a heavy stomping mid-section. Although consisting of only four songs, this little effort is a pretty exhausting listen of non-stop headbanging thrash, and one would be left to wonder how he would be able to put up with a full-length of such an intensity. Hopefully he won't be left to wonder for long... so expect "Idolatry 2" any time soon!

Screaming Skulls Demo, 2010

My Space

VIOLENTO (CHILE)

Five tracks of rough retro thrash which gets the message through with lashing guitars, screaming leads, and tortured death metal vocals. The guys play fast, but not very tight the sound getting dissipated by the buzzy guitars a bit taking away some of the riff sharpness. The German 80's movement is an obvious influence early Kreator coming as the main target for worship although there are times when the music gets less controlled ("Tropas del Mal") with an obvious "wink" at the death metal field.

Violencia Social EP, 2012

VIOLENTOR (ITALY)

The debut: a young Italian trio comes up on the scene to present us with semi-intense old school speed/thrash metal along the lines of early Whiplash, Exciter and the Finns Solitaire. "Genocide", on the other hand, is a jolly piece which strongly reminds of the Metallica cover of Diamond Head's "Helpless". The problem is that, like with the more recent Exciter output, there is no variety to the approach at all, and all songs tend to blend together into one speedy melee without any particular highlights, the vocal performance itself not a very valuable asset featuring rough drunken semi-shouts recalling Lemmy at his least sober.
"Rot" would hardly surprise the listener delivering a similar brand of frolic speed/thrash which this time is a bit mellower with more simplistic structures bordering on hardcore. The situation hasn't moved towards Motorhead above any other influence so expect no variety and no aggression whatsoever, just merry speedy rhythms lasting from beginning to end without the slightest variation the sole exception being a few moments from the closing "The Last Sentence" which is on the border between the staple for the band style and classic hard'n heavy for a while. Yes, indeed, the band may think of changing their name: it just doesn't fit the soft stuff they play...
"Maniacs" is a much more aggressive offering the band now thrashing like demented on at least half the album calling both proto-death and hardcore for help, including a few sparse hyper-blasts "Sign of the Cut"). The carefree Motorhead influence is only very lightly felt the majority now circling around the simplistic speed metal barrage of acts like the Brits Blood Money, the Germans Vectom, and Exciter.
"Putrid Stench" is another no-bars-held affair, the guys aiming for "Reign in Blood"-esque brutality, even going beyond it on the blasting black-peppered "Butcher the Holy Swine" and the death metal-laced piece of brutality "Burning Rage". More controlled cuts like "Pray to Die" go straight into hardcore territory with the shadow of Motorhead only reflected in the more uplifting "Scum of Society".
"Manifesto di Odio" is an over-the-top brutalizer, the band now aiming at the death metal realms more, with fast maddening pieces embalming the listener, the latter taking a gust of breath on the more temperate "Vendetta Privata", but at the same time he/she has to ziz-zag between frequent blast-beating outbursts, the crusty thrashcore cut "Siete Tutti Morti" another relative pacifier. The rest is not for the squeamish, aggressive bashing music with a serious neck-spraining potential.

Violentor Full-length, 2011
Rot Full-Length, 2012
Maniacs Full-Length, 2015
Putrid Stench Full-length, 2019
Manifesto di Odio Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VIOLET BLOOD (SPAIN)

A 3-song demo of retro speed/thrash metal in the early Germanic tradition citing mainly Helloween and Iron Angel; the music here is probably happier than the one associated with the German school and one can hear all trade marks of the genre here: guitar duels, catchy choruses, soaring leads, etc. The end is left for the quite cool faithful cover of Helloween's immortal "Ride the Sky" with the singer unleashing this characteristic Kai Hansen pitch down to the -K-.

Prelude Zero Demo, 2006

Official Site

VIOLLEN (BRAZIL)

Based on the full-length, this act specialize in bashing old school thrash accompanied by screechy shouty vocals. The fast-pace is epitomized from the very beginning and never lets loose, the hyper-active "Invasion" and "By Own Hands" taking the upper hand, overwriting timid mid-tempo strides like "Gallery Of Terror", the speed/thrash urgency of the closing "Condemned to Take a Line" recalling the German fraternity, Necronomicon and Tankard above all.

Legacy of Hate EP, 2018
What To Kill For? Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VIPER (GERMANY)

This is one of the first thrash/death metal blends to come out of Germany. The music is mostly fast in the first half, and is quite close to later-period Protector ("A Shedding of Skin" and beyond) including the vocals. The middle part sounds like a completely different band: it's entirely instrumental (except for "The Break"), quite melodic, a mixture of power and thrash, but a lot better than the first; this is really professional music boasting genuinely technical riffs and plenty of intriguing guitar melodies (the aforementioned "The Break" is a masterpiece of technical power/thrash metal with an Anacrusis flavour). "Thought About Death" is a cool dark take on the famous opera "Carmina Borana". "Beer Here", which closes the album, is a nice idyllic acoustic instrumental, pretty much in spirit with the second half of the album. Apparently this is a collection of two separate works of the band, but it's not very likely this to be a reflection of their demo stage since the sound quality is crystal clear.

Bringers of Disaster Full-length, 1991

VIPERIA (SWEDEN)

Based on "Violence", this act serve a dark modern/classic power/gothic/thrash blend which doesn't win too many points from the not very suitable death metal-inclined vocals, the choppy crunchy "Headbanger" not quite the headbanger that the listener would expect from the title, but later on the band wake up and serve the complex albeit melancholic progressiver "Clinically Dead" and the epic march "Salvation", the lyrical ballad "Abandoned" extracting some really attached clean singing from the vocalist. The final "Viperia's Nest" is a sprawling all-instrumental ballad/doom procession, an anti-climactic downbeat finale with a vivacious mid-section.

The Dying Embers Full-length, 2010
Old School but New School EP, 2014
Violence Full-Length, 2022

Official Site

VIRA (DENMARK)

Three EP's displaying an act who specializes in frequently interesting technical thrash/death metal borrowing from quite a few veterans to come up with an encompassing mixture between 90's Coroner (think "Grin"), early Meshuggah, Gojira, Darkane and their compatriots Konkhra on the faster moments; the latter aren't too many since the guys try to "draw" complex bleak pictures of the abstract mechanical kind, and succeed although the stomping sterile guitar sound may tire someone if listened to regularly. This is music which will require several listens before grasped fully, and fans of the direct stripped-down delivery may get confused more than just a bit.

Deadbeat Club EP, 2008
Recurrence EP, 2008
Re-Design EP, 2009

Official Site

VIRAGO (FINLAND)

Based on the 1989 demo, this band offers regular classic thrash in various tempos, but with a gruff sound quality and rough hoarse vocals. There's a brooding dark feeling within which may remind of the Brits Deathwish, but the musicianship here is more simplistic also touching Slayer ("Sacramental Warfare") on the more intense sections.
The 1988 demo is another pretty decent showing, coming with an even more technical delivery, the meandering "Hazevisitor" giving the already spawned Bay-Area a lesson in intricate, not very predictable shredding, and "Proclaim" shooting a portion of intense fast-paced histrionics into the aether, the gruff inexpressive, unrehearsed vocals not doing justice to the much better music. "Indisposed" is a short concrete basher, and "Beerboys" is another speedy sweeper, showing the band in a fairly capable form at this early stage.

Rehearsal Demo, 1988
Demo Demo, 1989

Fan Site

VIRAVOID (USA)

Based on the compilation, which the band released under their new name Dawn of Wolves, this act play intense old school thrash bordering on death metal at times in a way not too different from early Sadus and the Pestilence debut. The sound quality is crystal clear and the guitars cut deep with maddening tempos and a few more technical throw-ins. Tracks like "Burn the Books" suggest at future transformations (Dawn of Wolves are largely a black metal act) with their rapidfire speedy approach ala Impaled Nazarene, but fit very well into the overall pretty aggressive picture which eventually acquires full-fledged death metal qualities on the final rager "Death by Metal".

Death by Metal! EP, 2006
Thrown to the Wolves Compilation, 2011

VIRGIN KILLER (COLOMBIA)

Based on the debut demo, these "speeders" will convince anyone that their pompous demo titles are well deserved the guys resurrecting the old school speed/thrash sound down to the -T- with their inspired, albeit a bit naive, approach resembling Pile Driver and early Whiplash the incessant speedy barrage assisted by capable Schmier-esque vocals. Rest assured that you won't get tired of some uninspired fast-paced delivery the band wisely spicing things up with the odd galloping moment ("Careless", the power metal-infused instrumental "Virgin Killer" which is not a Scorpions cover). The guys don't bother to reach any extremes speed-wise, but try their hands on merrier Motorhead-ish tunes with the roller-coaster "No Time To Lose" before they "wink" at the German school (Angel Dust, in particular) with the excellent closer "Ready To Kill".
The debut is a captivating achievement the guys speed/thrashing with gusto creating a few definitive speed metal hymns along the way: "El Momento de Exterminar", "Next to the Metal Gods", "Signos de Putrefaccion", with not very frequent slower digressions ("No Muere el Metal"). "El Canto de los Sepulcros" is a more intense thrashing cut with an expressive bass bottom with echoes of Paradox, but generally it's the Iron Angel, Warrant, and early Helloween fans who will be the happiest here, and for a very good reason.

Speed Metal Merciless Demo, 2010
Speed Metal Soldiers Split, 2012
Virgin Killer Full-Length, 2015

Youtube

VIRGIN SIN (SWEDEN)

This band's first demo dates back from 1985 which means that they could have possibly been one of the first extreme metal acts to appear in the Scandinavian region, although with a name like this the last thing one would relate this band to, would be thrash metal. But, indeed, their perseverance finally paid off, albeit some 25 years later. What the sound on this first demo was, I have no idea (maybe someone out there could help!?), but on their full-length these guys play quite average speed/thrash metal along the lines of early Razor, or early Sodom, with a couple of riffs taken from the NWOBHM-scene.

Make 'Em Die Slowly EP, 1999
Seduction of the Innocent EP, 2003
Brotherhood of Freaks Full-length, 2007

My Space

VIRGIN SNATCH (FINLAND)

Modern thrash metal; although most of the time their music is along the lines of Terror 2000 or Dew-Scented, there is a doze of groove thrown in for good measure to probably attract the Pantera/Machine Head fans. The vocals are of the dual type: shouted, hardcore-ish and clean (which are quite good, by the way: check out "You Know Where" from "In The Name Of Blood") ones.
"We Serve No One": and this is the right stance since the band thrash with passion here, and one can easily learn to ignore the not very frequent metalcore breakdowns ("Fingerprints") enamored by the excellent lead guitar work. In the second half the approach becomes jumpier and angrier the participation of fast-pacers like "Under Fire" not that widely covered. "Promised Land" is a nice soulful ballad, and "Devil's Ride" is a fitting atmospheric doom-clad closer.

"Act of Grace" is a more aggressive affair than its successor and as such provides more headbanging fun its intensity reflected in rigorous pieces like the galloping "Through Fight We Grow" and the more technical piece of aggression "Don't Get Left Behind". The downpoint is by all means the closer "It's Time" which is an off-context tender ballad having absolutely nothing to do with the previous more brutal material.
"Vote Is a Bullet" begins in the wildest manner imaginable with the furious "Face In The Dirt", but such unbridled aggression is almost nowhere to be come across later the title-track instilling the dark atmospheric clout which wraps the proceedings the latter bordering on gothic ("Swarm of Wild Bees") on occasion, with doom/balladic variations ("Defending The Wisdom") also freely roaming around. Bigger ambition is displayed towards the end "Antipodes" featuring very good passionate clean vocals for a change from the dominant overshouty death metal ones.

S.U.C.K. Full-length, 2003
Art Of Lying Full-length, 2005
In The Name Of Blood Full-length, 2006
Act of Grace Full-Length, 2008
We Serve No One Full-Length, 2014
Vote Is a Bullet Full-Length, 2018

Official Site

VIRGIN WITCH (MEXICO)

This title is actually well-chosen: the guys definitely possess the ferocity of the future death metal performers, and provide five tracks of aggressive fast thrash/death metal not miles away from early Death and Massacra. The singer has an awful hysterical shouty voice, but the music packs a punch with audible guitars and a cool cover of Overkill's early hit "Fatal If Swallowed", where the singer mysteriously finds a way to adjust his vocals to the style of the song, and even sounds better, distantly recalling Bobby Ellsworth.

Death Metal Demo, 1987

VIRTUAL (HOLLAND)

An ex-member of Thanatos and Second Hell, Mark Staffhorst (also a current shredder in Project Pain), has taken care of this opus with the help of other musicians from the Dutch underground scene, and this remains his most impressive achievement at this stage. This is heavy sharp classic thrash with progressive tendencies at times recalling Helstar (the title-track) when it starts galloping to oblivion; at others nodding towards the Bay-Area when it speeds up intelligently (think Forbidden and Testament, above all: "Sacrifice"). Super-fast and super-lyrical passages come entwined on the unpredictable "A Sweet Hell", and from then on the delivery becomes less expected the band complicating things in a manner not too strange to Realm even, first with the hectic instrumental "Confusion" which will indeed "confuse" you with its ever-changing riff-patterns; then with the shredding technicaller "Corridors" which could have been written by their compatriots Paralysis for their debut EP "Arctic Sleep". The album finishes with the nice semi-ballad "The Man in Me" which sees the otherwise really good forceful clean singer trying something more tender and fragile. A nice "oasis" amidst the barren 90's, this effort shows Holland as a fertile area for one of the first "seeds" which have sprung up to lead thrash metal to a new era.

Language of Machines Full-Length, 1996

VIRTUAL VOID (CZECH)

These Czechs specialize in heavy, proto-groovy thrash/death which seldom delivers with all the guns blazing ("Die as Warriors") so the trite mid-paced patterns will wear thin long before the end. "Throne" is surely a waker with its brutal grinding rhythms, but the heavy, quasi-doomy at times ("Heaven Full of Shit", the closing steam-rolling sleeper "Further on Northwards"), saga is seldom interrupted... at least for those who would care to hear it till the end.

"Ride to Hell on Fucking Whorles" is a more dynamic affair the band now paying their fair tribute to Motorhead this more dynamic side blended well with more expressive post-deathy undercurrents not far from mid-period Entombed. The two aspects alternate throughout and bear some good "fruit": the crusty roller-coaster "Attack Of The Damned"; the raging thrashy headbanger "Bastards and Liars"; the heavy galloper "The Mob" with the shadow of early Celtic Frost looming heavily over; etc. "The World Where I Was Born Is Dying" is full-fledged psychedelic doom ala early Cathedral compensated by the final string of short direct pieces the saga finished by the pleasant abrasive proto-speedster "Heaven Full Of Shit". The singer is an attached death metal grunter, surprisingly intelligible strangely fitting this rough, but listenable, barrage.
"Rest in Piss" starts promisingly with the imposing atmospheric cruster "Iron Citadel" which dirges forward with surreal semi-dissonant riffs. Alas, it overshadows everything that follows which comprises the familiar roller-coaster approach with moderately speedy guitars which will again recall Motorhead with a darker black metal vibe replaced for a bit with friendlier heavy/power metal rhythms on "Misanthropist's Lullaby", and by morose "funeral" decisions on the doomy closer "Funeral March of the Broken Ones" where very good deep cleaner vocals can also be appreciated.

Dictatorship Full-length, 2003
No Time for Heroism Full-length, 2010
Ride to Hell on Fucking Whorles Full-length, 2013
Rest in Piss Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VIRULENT EXISTENCE (USA)

This is classic thrash/death which is backed-up by a screechy hysterical vs. guttural shouty death metal vocal duel, the music ranging from speedy maddening thrashers (the title-track) to violent tributes to mid-period Carcass ("Desensitize"), to ravaging death metal cuts ("Trapped"). "Demons" is a more complex sprawling composition, a slower ride with interesting riffy configurations, showing the band's more thought-out side.

Ad Mysterium Full-Length, 2022

Facebook

VIRULENT SCOURGE (POLAND)

A retro thrash/death hybrid the band storming with a blitzkrieg, but also semi-technical vibe ("Panzram"), the furious character of near-deathy bombs like "Kill or Be Killed" and "Plague Whispers" keeping the tables turned towards the hyper-aggressive scale. "Purifier" arrives in the middle to purify... sorry, pacify the spirits with a portion of more moderate slower rhythms, but don't expect any mercy from the rest, short pain-inflicting bullets exacerbated by the vicious vociferous death metal vocals. Some of the musicians are also active with the avant-garde metallers Visions of Tondal.

Judgement of Carrion Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VIRUS (CANADA)

A not very unknown, but fairly interesting act who offer on their only album intriguing industrial quasi-thrash ala Ministry and Pitch Shifter with shades of Die Krupps and Front Line Assembly's 'Millennium" also emerging on the more dynamic material ("At War"). The guys aptly avoid the noisy traps along the way even managing to produce something melodic and alternative on the title-track and the hypnotic doomster "Tainted". There aren't any faster surprises, though, and the cold mechanical chugga-chugga riffs may wear out at some point although there are intriguing semi-technical "robots" on offer, like "New Breed Machine", and the other brooding exercise in industrial doom/thrash "Bleeding" which recalls Confessor. The synthesized harsh vocals are nothing new echoing the ones used on the early Front Line Assembly albums. Later in the new millennium some of the musicians tried to return to the scene as the groovy post-thrash formation Drillpoint with three EP's before splitting up.

Bio-Level 4 Full-Length, 1994

VIRUS (CZECH)

Two songs of nice dynamic semi-technical thrash, still classic-sounding, recalling the early efforts of their compatriots Arakain, as well as the Polish Turbo's "The Last Warrior". Fast and technical riffs are well mixed accompanied by cool higher-pitched semi-clean vocals.

Virus EP, 1991

VIRUS (JAPAN)

This outfit indulge in energetic speed/thrash which is pretty straight-forward excluding "I Wanna Hold You", a mild heavy rocker, totally off-context, compensated to an extent by the following "Juliet" which is a sweeping speedster with great soaring melodies. The vocals are very typical for Japan clean high-strung ones which carry quite a bit of emotion.

Virus Demo, 1989

VIRUS (UK)

A band from the more underground side of British thrash metal; their sound is fast, often brutal with proto-death qualities. "Pray for War" has a lot of hardcore attitude, and at times may recall the NYHC scene, similarities also in the vocal department. The leads are quite good, but simply do not fit this kind of music. On the other hand, "To The Death" and other tracks will remind you of early Bathory, with its simplistic direct riffage. Vigorous intense thrash can be heard on "Risen from Death to Die", but to these ears the best track remains the ambient interlude "Night Siege", totally off-context, but a stylish and a desirable break from the boring bashing.
"Force Recon" is way better, and now the style is aggressive thrash with stretches towards death metal. The leads continue being superior to the rest, but here they don't sound as misplaced. "Viral Warfare" is a very good varied instrumental with good tempos and riffs, even with technical leanings, with nice balladic intro and outro. "No Return" is heavy and mid-paced, contrasting to the other much faster material; check out the 6-min of non-stop brutal thrash/death mosh "Hungry For Blood". The end is a pleasant surprise: quite a cool, albeit very metallic, take on the main theme from "The Munsters" TV show.

"Lunacy" tones down the aggression from the previous releases a bit, and adds a slight more melodic and technical edge to the guitars, all this well expressed on the opener "Seeing Is Believing". The title-track even takes a soft crossover direction, with the exception of the furious death metal ending. "Bad Blood" immediately compensates with fast aggressive thrash, and "The Pain Will Pass" adds a less compromising hardcore attitude into the proceedings. "State of the Art" is jolly punk-ish thrash ala The Exploited, and "My Life" is not far behind. Enough with the tenderness, one may say, and here comes the brutal proto-death "A Sense Of Freedom" and the more moderate technical closer "Don't Get Even...!". The guys definitely had the energy and competence to join the death metal cohorts, but they disappeared with one Best of Compilation (under the title "Warmonger") springing up later in 1993.

"Evilution Apocalypse": the band are here again, and one will have very few reasons to complain listening to the optimistic speed/thrashing on the title-track, or to the dense staccato semi-technical shredding on "The Hand That Feeds You". The guys' early aggressive days are nicely recalled with the bombastic ripper "Basement Conversion", a hyper-active proposition lasting for over 6-min, with "Goat (Father, Scum, and Unholy)" adding the requisite more stomping element although through-and-through this is another no-bars-held headbanger, the band not putting a foot wrong anywhere so far. "Multiple Wargasms", not unexpectedly, offers plenty of shredgasms the lads serving a wider gamut of rhythms for a rousing semi-progressive journey with catchy melodic hooks galore. "Thrashville" delivers exactly what the title suggests, ripping classic thrash the latter becoming more playful and mellow on the friendly saga "Defective Detective (The Ballad of Inspector Gadget)", a possible metallic interpretation of the main theme from the cartoon. The mosh continues unabated afterwards with the head-splitting "Release The Dead" and "Force Recon" this last number a remastered version of the title-track from their 1988 opus. A really attractive package seeing the veterans standing proud next to other thrash old-timers from the Isles like Acid Reign, Onslaught, Xentrix, Toranaga, Seventh Angel, etc.
The "Raped By Mutants" EP is a nice comeback stint the band thrashing in the familiar old school manner, with the title-track levelling the neighbourhood with razor-sharp riffs and both deathly and more technical additives, the mosh never-ending on the uncompromising "Skulls of my Enemies". "Parasitic Invasion" acquires marginally mellower speed/thrash tendencies, the more stylish guitar work winning some of the more demanding audience, before "Testify to Me" testifies to everyone that this batch should be taken seriously once again, as vigorous classic thrashers and very little else.
The "A New Strain of an Old Disease" EP is another major ripper the band moshing like demented on the Slayer-esque outrage "Decline" before the environment gets nicely complicated on the longer more contrived "Beyond the Boundaries of Brutality", with both sides seamlessly embedded on the shredding delight "Human Disposal Unit", with "Murder in the Moshpit" not exactly offering that murder in the title, but is a very cool intelligent thrasher with heavy stomping rhythms among the staple raging downpour. The title-track is a very short mid-tempo instrumental, and the closer is a cover of The Proclaimers' huge hit "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", performed in a cumulative dramatic fashion, wrapped on with a rousing speedy finale.

Pray for War Full-length, 1987
Force Recon Full-length, 1988
Lunacy Full-length, 1989
Raped By Mutants EP, 2009
A New Strain of an Old Disease EP, 2013
Evilution Apocalypse Full-length, 2020

Vibrations of Doom

VIRUS FROM HELL (UK)

Three (the first track is an orchestral intro, not bad) songs of good up-tempo speed/thrash mixing the Bay Area sound with 80's Paradox, resulting in intense headbanging music, assisted by gruff semi-clean vocals which at times try to unleash something higher-pitched and admirably succeed. The songs blend speedy and slower pounding sections that frequently take turns within a small space (the songs are no longer than 3.5-4min), making them an interesting unpredictable listen.

Threat Demo, 2009

My Space

VISCERAL (ARGENTINA)

Based on their self-titled debut, this band don't stray from the established 90's thrash metal laws; they prefer to keep their music mid-paced to slow with occasional faster sections and slight shades of Pro-Pain-like hardcore. It's hard to give an example for a real close sound-alike; 90's Overkill mixed with early Pro-Pain, plus a certain doze of groove would probably fit best.

Visceral Full-length, 1998
Arrancado del Sistema Full-length, 2001

VISCERAL ATTACK (UK)

The EP: five tracks of blitzkrieg retro thrash/crossover with direct riffs and a good bass bottom. The music is more thrashy than, say, the one of D.R.I. and early Prong, but the carefree hardcore spirit is all over (check out "V For Visceral") also strengthened by the forceful hoarse semi-shouty vocals.
The thrash/crossover saga continues unabated on the full-length which is a long version of the same stuff encountered earlier on the EP. Things get out of control a bit at times the band bashing violently and "viscerally" the whole time still remaining within the D.R.I. and Prong confines. There's no sophistication, no technical pretensions, this is virulent bare-stripped mosh all the way.

V For Visceral EP, 2008
Quick and Severe Full-length, 2010

My Space

VISCERATE (USA)

This is modern thrashcore which bashes with little remorse, the crusty abrasive side of it (“Disgraced”) tussling with the more expressively groovy one (“Fear”) the entire time, the “umpire” post occupied by the heavy raucous stomper “Stare into the Sun”, and the composed melodious trot “Wasted”. The singer narrates his antics with an intimidating vibe, also singing with more panache on the several more laid-back developments.

Everybody Dies Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VISCID VISCERA (GERMANY)

Based on the "Age of Anxiety" demo, these folks can easily pass for one of the earliest purveyors of the speed/thrash metal idea in Germany. Their style is a blend of early Living Death, Iron Angel and Angel Dust so the approach is perhaps a bit more speed metal-based, but the listener should be able to enjoy the roller-coaster power of "Apathetic Dream", the heavy doom aesthetics of "Donovan's Brain", the unbridled thrashing fury of "Slaughterous Impact" and "Saw-Wail", or the more stylish full scale semi-technicality of the formidable closer "Full Scale Attack". The singer is a clean semi-reciter and doesn't play a very prominent role also stifled a bit by the muddy sound quality which hinders him on the higher-pitched attempts. Still, this remains an impressive entry into the European speed/thrash metal catalogue paving the way for the guys to make one more similarly-styled demo under the name Cycra two years later.

Daimonion Demo, 1984
Age of Anxiety Demo, 1985

VISIBLE FACTOR (BRAZIL)

This is intense vicious retro thrash which is mostly on the classic side, but there are shades of Sepultura's game-changing "Chaos AD" (the devious intriguing "Intro (Despair of Josephbelle)/Darkened By Hate"), the deep shouty death metal vocals further deepening the interest. "Use Your Violence" is a heavy squashing steam-roller, and "Real Nightmares" is a more dynamic jump-arounder these last two numbers obstructed by the really sloppy sound quality.

Visible Reaction Demo, 1993

VISION (USA)

Later members of this act prolonged their career with the power/thrashers Brutal Groove, and two cuts (the title-one, "Vicious Circles" from this demo ended up on that band's first demo, also carrying the same title. The new songs are "A New Way", a streamlined power/thrasher with a cool balladic break; and "The Invocation", a rowdier tune with intense sharp riffs creeping forward toward a really brutal bashing passage. It's interesting to note that the compositions are sung by Debbie Gunn, the Brutal Groove frontgirl (also Znowhite and Sentinel Beast), who may have entered this Vision at some stage.

State of Execution Demo, 1990

Youtube

VISION PURPLE (USA)

So after Realm and Toxik there was... Vision Purple. These hugely talented folks took over from those two acts and continued the technical/progressive thrash performance for another couple of years, albeit on a more underground, quite obscure, level. The band were first called Silo where they already showed their less ordinary skills which reached their culmination on the demos featured here. So what we have here is highly stylized speed/thrash with numerous choppy vortex-like passages which openly hint at a more individual character as shades of the aforementioned bands can still be traced albeit less audibly, the guys trying to carve a niche for themselves, and admirably succeed seamlessly mixing (based on the "Black Market Earth" demo) fast furious sections with very complex ones. Compositions like the spiral-like "Hostage London" and "Opinion Pool" are masterpieces of clever, elaborate metal which are hard to beat even by the best moments from "Deathrow's "Deception Ignored" or Mekong Delta's "The Music from Erich Zann". "God For A Day" alone is an encyclopedia of everything we call technical thrash also finding time for a few virtuoso lead sections. This not very known effort was pretty much the climax of technical thrash in the States...
The "Staring at the Sun" demo is four numbers of more complicated stuff now the guys epitomizing a not very hard to follow delivery which sees them acquiring purer progressive appliances not far from Toxik's "Think This" and even Atheist's "Unquestionable Presence". The twisting Coroner-like structures on "Staring at the Sun" are a bit easier to absorb, but the rest even predates what Spiral Architect managed to achieve on their only album, transcending the borders of thrash towards more elusive cosmic dimensions. It's a crying pity that these geniuses never managed to realise their potential on an official release...

Demo Demo, 1989
Black Market Earth Demo, 1990
Vision Purple Demo, 1991
Staring at the Sun Demo, 1992

VISION SERPENT (USA)

Based on "Call of the Void", this band play acceptable modern thrash/post-thrash which evolves around a curious quasi-progressive base, with largely heavy mid-tempo cuts and very shouty deathly vocals the latter acquiring more tolerable cleaner confines ("Ashen Headstones") on occasion. "Sacrifice" is a ripping headbanger, but apart from an isolated passage on the otherwise calm doomy title-track such ultra-vivid moments are not that easy to come by.

The Black EP, 2017
Call of the Void Full-Length, 2020

Official Site

VISITOR (USA)

Very cool power/thrash metal similar to Steel Reign and Attacker; the album opens in a great galloping, intense way with "R.I.P." The dominant tempo is mid-paced, and some guitar melodies are quite compelling with an Oriental shade ("Visitor", which also boasts stupendous speedy riffs). The singer has a great emotional dramatic, clean voice and handles both the lower and the higher tones with dexterity. "America's Demise" comes towards the middle with fast headbanging riffs, followed by an even faster one, "Innocent", which is also graced by cool technical guitars. A really good album reminding of the glorious 80's American sound and pretty much one of its kind at those times.

Visitor Full-length, 1993

VISNU (GERMANY)

These young guns pull out potent classic thrash with modern production resulting in a sound quite close to the approach on the Exodus works after the reformation. "Hailing to Destruction" gives a nice boost to the demo with its sharp aggressive riffs of the Bay-Area type. "Balisong" keeps the intensity high adding the odd heavier stomping moment, the former finding bigger space on the excellent galloping "Time For Blood". The end is pretty much in the vein of the opener, "Infected" being energetic vigorous thrash spiced with a couple of more pounding sections. The singer is a cool asset with his hoarse semi-clean delivery which needs just a little to reach the legendary antics of Testament's Chuck Billy, also adding, in the latter's vein, the gruffer more brutal timbre whenever needed.

Time for Blood Demo, 2009

My Space

VITA IMANA (SPAIN)

Based on "Uluh", these Spaniards provide dramatic, also atmospheric post-thrash with very heavy guitar work, the latter spiced with soulful balladic/acoustic insertions. So among the dispassionate groove one will come across a few beautiful moments which may sound awkward at first, but will settle in after a few listens. The guys overdo it on the monstrous 10-min closer "Uluh" which is just rehashed groovy riffage on a slightly abrasive, also psychedelic, base never changing the sleepy doom-infused tempo for a split second.

"Oceanidae" tries to run away from the dreamy elegiac fields, and rude awakenings are certainly provided, like the intense groovers "Equilibrio" and "Ablepsia". Later one will encounter the mid-paced energizer "Manos De Sangre" which even speeds up near the end. The top, or the bottom, depending on the taste, is reached on the 9.5-min title-track at the end which is a melancholic mechanizer with doom-fixated overtones, an impressive epic Godflesh-esque composition which would mesmerize the industrial fans, above all, and the ones who are fascinated with the more recent works of the Canadians Gorguts ("Colored Sands").

En Otro Lugar Full-length, 2010
Uluh Full-length, 2012
Oceanidae Full-Length, 2014

Official Site

VITAL GORE (USA)

This is the good old thrash/crossover done in a slightly messy rough manner, the guys lashing out in a vigorous stripped-down way spitting out short direct tracks with a few exceptions where the sound gets just a tad more serious and slower. This is fun stuff reminding of the 80's in a nice, nostalgic way including with the slightly messy sound quality.

Demo Demo, 2011

VITRIOL (VENEZUELA)

This outfit indulge in classic thrash/crossover of the more aggressive variety, seldom branching out into something more brutal (the death metal-tinged outrage "Death by Vitriol"). On the other hand, more melodic speedsters like "Mephisto" are optimistic and catchy, the guys achieving the requisite balance also creating the appropriate underground setting with the slightly muddy sound production.

Night Of The Death EP, 2009

VITRIOLO (SPAIN)

A one-man show this one, the name Fred F., who specializes in classic black/thrash with both alluring melodic aesthetics (“Lucifugo”) and more brutal semi-bash (“Olho do Caos”) coming to the fore at various times, “Sono Negro” the undisputable highlight on this slab, an enchanting melodic pageant with great melodic hooks and a couple of stylish technical swirls. Black metal materialize sin a more full-fledged form on “Auto de Fe”, the morose atmosphere achieved on “Escrita Morta” served with a few heavy doom-soaked condiments.

Conjuro Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VITROL (SPAIN)

This is quite energetic death/thrash which main annoyance is the omnipresent vocal duel, throaty shouty deathly vs. mean spatout blacky ones. Music-wise the delivery is also all over the place, with semi-technical outbursts ("No Entres en su Juego") crossing swords with immediate speed/thrash escapades ("Agonia") and wilder hardcore/crossover outtakes ("El Due1o de la Oscuridad"). Some of the musicians are also involved with the black metal cohorts Grimorius and Occultum Lapidem.

Alma Podrida Full-length, 2020

Official Site

VITTRA (SWEDEN)

The EP: not bad old school thrash/death assisted by guttural semi-shouty death metal vocals; the pounding volcanity of "Necrotic Apocalypse" leading the serious show which also relies on dark atmospherics, the more playful rhythms on "Cloudbreaker" recalling later-period In Flames and the Finns Gandalf, the brutal antidote to those arriving on the variegated "Wardens of the Grove" where untamed blast-beats are served to bother the instilling idyll. Some of the musicians were also active with the now defunct black/death metal purveyors Remains of the Grotesque.
The full-length shifts more towards the modern melo-death patterns, but thrash still roams these fields prominently thanks to breezy explosions like "Feeding Frenzy" and "Self-Loathing", the laid-back welcoming shorter "Temptation" pairing well with the stomping sing-alonger "Sommarfodd".

Wardens EP, 2021
Blasphemy Blues Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VIU DRAKH (GERMANY)

Based on "Death Riff Society", this band offers quite well-played classic thrash/death metal with a Floridian vibe (think early Morbid Angel, above all) with an uncompromising attitude and touches of the Bolt Thrower steam roller-like approach. Most of the songs develop at pretty fast tempos, with at least half of them offering cool technical deviations: "Mutant Gods", the multi-layered "Burn", others rivalling even Suffocation in the knack of mixing aggression and technicality: "Peaches And Cream". One would hardly think that these guys would ever show any inclination to slow down, but here comes "Caravan" out of the blue, to offer pounding technical riffage, sounding like more technical Bolt Thrower, or Asphyx. "Blade Spirits" is a pure old school death/thrash metal delight, a glorious reminder of the heydays of the genre whereas "Worst Disease" once again focuses on the less standard nature of the guys' music, providing twisted riffs not miles away from Immolation at their best. Then there is a radical turn towards death metal for three consecutive tracks before the closing cover of Motorhead's... you all guessed right: "Ace of Spades", relieves the pressure to a big extent, with no traces of death or thrash metal being a very faithful and capable rendition of this immortal hit.

Back to the Chaos Full-length, 1998
Take no Prisoners, Grind them All and Leave this Hell Full-length, 2000
Prime Beef Between my Teeth/Life is a Battlefield (Fixed) Split album, 2002
Death Riff Society Full-length, 2002

Official Site

VIVID REMORSE (SPAIN)

Based on the EP, these guys specialize in minimalistic modern post-thrash of the moody atmospheric variety which sounds faster and intense on occasion: the jumpy "Overdosed". The rest is heavy and a bit monotonous with nice more clever, also balladic, inclusions on the semi-technical groover "Last Defeat".

"The Seed Of Malaise" is an elaboration on the approach from the EP adding more dynamics which borders on crossover (the optimistic speedster "The Bed You Lie In"), or comes with a thick proto-death metal shade (the interesting semi-technical shredder "Mental Disorder"). In the long run it remains an entertaining listen covering several influences including a very good ballad ("Lizzy's Rain") and a nice acoustic instrumental (the closing piece of serenity "Ocean's").

"Down To The Wire" is more ordinary-sounding the barrage being on the unexciting modern side the whole time without any borrowings from other genres this time the guitars coming with an abrasive hardcore edge which could have been better used if the band had voted to speed up the proceedings at times which, sadly, happens only on the short shredder "L'angoixa de L'existencia". The rest is one pedestrian mid-tempo saga which would largely pass unnoticed after a first, and even second, listen.

Welcome To My Stormy Nights EP, 2009
The Seed Of Malaise Full-length, 2010
Down To The Wire Full-Length, 2012

Official Site

VIVID X (RUSSIA)

A very obscure Russian band, Vivid X present us with quite cool technical/progressive thrash ala Coroner, Mekong Delta, and the Russian one-album-wonder Aspid, based on the two EP's. At times the music takes a more aggressive turn towards technical death metal (the shorter songs), but these moments are rare. There are the traditional for the genre twisted riffs, complex song structures and weird tunes. There are also fast-paced, more accessible sections, accompanied by superb lead guitars as well as tracks which "flirt" with the modern sound for a while before suddenly turn into a head-spinning technical passage. The vocals are low-pitched meanish, semi-clean ones, occasionally interrupted by gruff, death metal grunts and are not good; that's why it comes as no surprise that the music takes a much bigger room on the album stretching into several excellent pure instrumental pieces.
The full-length contains an almost entirely new material except for two tracks from the EP's, but the music has lost its technical touch. The song-structures remain relatively complex, but the riffage isn't as sharp and dynamic, and all the songs are mid-tempo compositions (the exception: the more energetic hardcore-tinged "Scaffold") with meandering fusion-esque rhythms resembling Cynic's "Focus" which here is the main target for worship if we exclude a couple of more modern elements thrown in, including the techno/industrial version of "Ice" at the end.
At this stage the band won't be able to produce a follow-up since this formation is no more, some of the band members concentrating more on their other project: the death/grind "monster" with the very similar name VX.

V.X. EP, 2002
Id. (Images) EP, 2002
V.Xtremal Progress Full-length, 2004

Official Site

VIVISECTION (USA)

This US trio pull out three songs (one for each person) of intense thrash/death with sparse blasting tendencies and very fuzzy guitars. The vocals belong to the growly death metal camp, and the overall approach could come close to mid-period Carcass on the more inspired moments (the twisted semi-technicaller "Season of the Witch").

Living Dead Demo, 2011

Official Site

VIXIT (MEXICO)

A good speed/thrash metal act with nods to the German scene- Warrant, Liar, Not Fragile; some tracks have a hard thrashy edge, but most of the material is more melodic, kind of predating the future 90's power/speed metal scene. Mixtures of this kind were not too common in those days, and Vixit actually deliver the goods quite well. "Reflejo Aspra" is a fine instrumental, closing this enjoyable release.

El Poder del Metal (The Power of Metal) Full-length, 1991

VK3312 (FINLAND)

One musician, the name Janne Juutinen, is behind this abrasive modern/classic power/thrash hybrid affair, the man relying on a hoarse semi-clean mid-ranged baritone behind the mike, the latter assisting in the sculpting of both short melodic shredders (“Manipulaattori”) and even shorter spastic proto-speedsters (“Paha Pastori”), the optimistic free-floater “Kivi” supplementing the grave pounding motifs on “Saartorengas” with overt elevation.

Horrorskooppi Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VLAAR (INDONESIA)

The debut: these Indonesians pull out speedy crusty, and generally fairly diverse, thrashcore which turns to a different "animal" here and there also offering plenty of melody ("Akv Bukan Iron Maiden" which is apparently a tribute to Iron Maiden although it doesn't recall any of the songs of the Brits except for isolated bits). There's also black metal ("Majikan Haji Kohar") thrown in later on so there's a little for everyone including a cover of Manowar ("Metal Warriors") at the end. The singer should tone it down for the future, though: his hysterical rending screams are a detriment to the more inspired musical approach (check the Manowar cover for a better impression).
“Blekmetal” is strictly on the merry unpretentious speedy side, if we exclude the several casual extreme black metal outrages (“Anton Blekmetal”), “ those compensated by the carefree punky escapism of “CalegPvnk” and the Motorhead-ish rockabilia “GvrvHororer”. There’s very little thrash to be witnessed here, the guys more interested in the mellower side of the metal spectre at this stage.

S.A.T.R.V Full-Length, 2013
Pemvja Setan Live EP, 2022
Blekmetal Full-Length, 2023

Official Site

VOCATION (GERMANY)

Based on the "Human Chaos" demo, this act serve decent old school thrash/death that doesn't win too many points from the confrontational shouty death metal vocals. The music makes sense, though, from the virulent speedy shredder "Tear of Despair" to the choppier more intricate Lost in Sorrow", to the atmospheric doom-ornate "I Stay In Me", the band diversifying their palette also helped by the pretty good sound quality. Some of the band members are also busy with the death metallers B.G.T.

Human Chaos Demo, 1993
Hate EP, 1994
Falling Demo, 1995

Official Site

VOCIFERA (BRAZIL)

The demo: five girls try their hands on rough classic thrash/proto-death which abrasive guitars are curiously blended with surreally melodic leads with a technical "sting", among several not bad interesting stomping passages ("Hypocrisy"). The tempos vary, sometimes suddenly alternating, and the vocals are of the dual death metal type (brutal low vs. higher screechy) betraying their female origin at times.
The full-length elaborates on the sound form the demo the girls now embarking on a brutal death/thrash crusade which best moments are surprisingly the slower ones (the excellent brooder "Sabbath") and the more varied closer "All Evil For Your Majesty" which introduces quite a few infectious melodic tunes among the more laid-back thrashing the latter bordering on the semi-technical.

Vocedfera Demo, 2012
Evil Thoughts Full-Length, 2016

Official Site

VOCIFEROUS (POLAND)

The European answer to Absu: so expect a mix of black and thrash metal with both furious raging sections and slower atmospheric passages. Usually both sides are mixed into one composition, with the exception of a couple of songs occupying the middle which bash with no mercy, and are pure black metal madness. As a whole the Poles are less thrash-inclined compared to their American colleagues, and would make the black metal fans happier.

Vociferous Full-length, 2009

My Space

VODU (BRAZIL)

One of the finest bands to ever come out of South America; the band's debut is more speed metal-oriented with very good guitar work recalling Helloween and their compatriots Viper (their drummer, actually, was also a full-time member of Viper, as well as Volkana). Some of the numbers thrash admirably ("This is not Your World" which could perfectly fit on the Agent Steel debut, for example) suggesting at bigger things to come.

"Seeds of Destruction" is a masterpiece of speed/thrash metal which the Brazilian metal scene is yet to equal. This is great smashing music, still quite fast (check out the ultra speed crusher with a crossover flavour "Keep on Fighting"), which will remind you of Agent Steel's "Unstoppable Force" and Toxik's "World Circus", among other gems. The intensity is only reduced on some parts from the longest, and arguably the best, song: "What's the Reason" which offers balladic atmospheric moments which, however, quickly alternate with awesome fast and heavy riffs.

The EP contains two well-played live tracks from their previous works, but then comes the awful cover of The Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" (I would personally suggest you'd better go). Things get better with the cool energetic, even technical at times, speed/thrash instrumental "No Way" which is accompanied by another instrumental piece: the closing 1-min bass performance "A Sound For Gabilla".

"Endless Trip" is another fine slab of the good old speed/thrash metal which may pull back some in the beginning with the overlong orchestral/lead-driven instrumental title-track which really sounds as though it would be "endless". But then comes "Silent Pain", a major speed/thrasher with forceful heavy sections intercepting the fast ones; the singer is always the same on all works singing in a semi-clean hoarse manner at times trying his throat for a higher-pitched tone to a not very positive effect, the latter technique applied on this number quite a bit. "Don't Be Used" is an aggressive thrasher, easily the band's most extreme offering. "Waiting for Nothing" is a complex longer affair mixing stomping power metal riffs with more energetic ones. "Journey To The Unknown" is a cool precursor to the 90's speed/power metal wave, a glorious speedster with catchy choruses (and here the singer's limited range shows up clearly) and merry galloping rhythms. "Welcome To The Dream" thrashes in a crushing mid-tempo fashion with a fine speedy twist near the end, and "The Way To Escape" is another purer exercise in speed metal with another melodic chorus added; watch out for the brutal thrashy exit, though. "Silent Madness" and "Endless Street" are blended together both offering speed/power/thrash metal amalgams in a vigorous up-tempo. "Only You Can Help Yourself" isn't too far in the speedy delivery, but is softer and kind of underwhelming betraying the sharp guitar sound, although the fans will get another sing-along chorus and a couple of headbanging galloping hooks. This is all nicely done again, and is a worthy epitaph to the guys' career who disappeared without a trace somewhere into the "Amazon jungles" (I guess?) soon after...
"Walking with Fire": that's one unexpected comeback from these excellent old-timers; a first-rate fiery one which sets the tone with the soaring speed metal delight that is the title-track, the vocalist from the debut returned, adding his lofty contribution to his fast-paced riff-fest with subdued but effective clean mid-ranged baritone. "Voodoo Doll" is a heavy mid-pacer, but "I Spit on Your Grave" and "Say My Name" are major invigorating speedsters, the mid-tempo respites coming back later, the somewhat sleezy bluesy "Only the Brave can Love" an unmitigated filler, cancelled by the sizzling dramatic arrangements on "Empire of Demise", but backed-up handsomely by the epitaph, the steady power metal stroll "The enemy inside", and the hard'n heavy closer "(Un)blessed". Thrash is very sparsely covered, the band now much more interested in exploring the softer side of their musical passions.

The Final Conflict Full-length, 1986
Seeds Of Destruction Full-length, 1988
No Way EP, 1989
Endless Trip Full-length, 1991
Walking with Fire Full-length, 2020

Vibrations of Doom

VOELKER (USA)

This act indulge in classic power/thrash that can be both on the light-hearted side (the optimistic title-track) and can mosh with not much remorse ("One Percent"), although there's some filler (the groovy joke "Better Man") to be come across, the cool attached clean vocalist recalling Dave Mustaine, the vivid invigorating "Tabula Rasa" and "Tap In The Wire" also reminders of the famed other act's early more glorious days, the semi-balladic relaxer "Good As Gone" on the opposite side of the spectre.

How The Other Half Dies Full-Length, 2023

VOICE OF DESTRUCTION (SOUTH AFRICA)

South African thrash metal, well done at that; they are probably the first metal band there, as their first demos date back from 1988 although the music on them is more hardcore-oriented. In their more thrashy days their hardcore roots are still audible with a wide variety of genres taking part: death, classic heavy metal and quite a considerable amount of doom (the fact that the band's name figures on a few doom metal sites is actually well grounded). The mixture, however, works quite well most of the time; a good and original band.

"Bloedriver" is an interesting album mixing doom/death with splashing thrashing riffs. The dominant style is doomy and atmospheric, but all of a sudden arrive the blasting thrashers ("Religion", J.M.S.P.") to stir the mood as well as short takes on brutal grindcore ("Goodbye") quite misplaced, if you ask me, having in mind the heavy and more serious nature of the music presented on the rest. No other noisy surprises as most of the other material is well done atmospheric doom/death.

Voice of Destruction EP, 1995
Bloedrivier Full-length, 1996
Bloedrivier 10th Anniversary Special Edition Full-length, 2006

Official Site

VOICE OF RUIN (SWITZERLAND)

Based on the full-length debut, this act play typical modern thrash with both slower groovy and faster, more intense passages included on almost every track to produce a dynamic, but fairly predictable, listen. The guitars come with a strong omnipresent fuzzy tone, and the singer is a synthesized death metal growler.
"Purge and Purity" carries on with the modern thrash saga with some definitely positive results like the epic hymn "Horns" and the diverse melo-thrasher "Blood of Religions". Although the majority of the tracks are within the proto-groovy, mid-paced confines, the fan should be able to enjoy this not very varied, but still attractive effort which also has another surprise in the face of the closing "Piracy" that introduces more aggressive death metal rhythms for a change.

The Crash EP, 2009
Voice of Ruin Full-length, 2011
Purge and Purity Full-Length, 2017

Official Site

VOICE OF TRANQUILLITY (PHILIPPINES)

Two tracks of competent old school thrash with good crisp guitar work and brutal low-tuned death metal vocals; the guys play in mid to up-tempo with sharp, but also melodic, riffage which is also helped by the crystal clear sound quality.

The Army of Hades EP, 2009

My Space

VOICE OF TREPIDATION (USA)

Modern power/thrash metal which boasts very crisp sharp guitar work often dissipated, but in a good way, by melodic insertions although the heavy rhythms should satisfy the 90's trends' fans without a problem despite the lack of truly groovy sections. "March of the Darkones" is a nice 2-min jumpy thrasher, closely followed by the energetic speedster "The Grand Demise" as the two best moments; the rest is a bit monotonous and mid-paced with the rough semi-death metal vocals not the best assistance provided.

The Godless One Full-Length, 2011

Facebook

VOICES (HOLLAND)

Another interesting technical entry from the Dutch underground: intriguing weird technical/progressive thrash metal recalling both Mekong Delta and Deathrow; these guys' "voices" should have been heard back in those days... It starts with the labyrinthine hypnotic "Loner" which is a "lonely" twisted hectic piece in mid-pace. Then comes "The Walker" to produce another portion of walking puzzling, jumpy riffs intercepted by bass-dominated jazzy breaks. The hectic patterns are repeated on the other material which later bears the more intense pounding "Individuals", the compelling balladic extravaganza "Irreversible Disposession", and the bizarre mazey oddity "Sacrifice of Sanity" which is a not very easy to swallow concoction of jumpy bassisms, excellent melodic solos, and elaborate riff landscapes. This is a really good offbeat effort coming out of the hands of former members of Jagannath, and even manages to beat their compatriots Donor's debut "Triangle of the Lost". The singer is a cool asset with his not very attached, but expressive, clean timbre recalling Milo from Deathrow.

This Mass Of Confusion Demo, 1997

VOICES FROM BEYOND (ITALY)

The debut: a promising young act pulling out vigorous modern thrash metal which keeps the tempo up with several descents into slower mid-paced moments which only take one "victim": "Don't Change Your Mind", and probably the nice emotional semi-ballad "Welcome You". The rest is quite brisk with the lashing speedster "Day of Rebirth" leading the pack, both in the riff and lead department. The closing "From Beyond" aims at more complex progressive territories, and is a cool more technical epitaph to this release which also boasts fine clean, dramatic high-pitched vocals.
"Black Cathedral": the approach has acquired some classic tendencies this time which has led to a few more complex adjustments as well, some moments ("Guardian of the Laws") reminding of the guys' compatriots Eldritch. Elsewhere the band march on with admirable versatile speedsters like "I'm the Presence" and "The Edge of Time", also singing in their mother tongue on the cool balladic "La Valle Della Coscienza". Over-the-top death metallisms like those heard on "Descending into the Abyss" are a bit debatable, but the more laid-back epic character of "Across the Mountains" and the closing semi-balladic "The Family" restore the balance on this varied, sometimes hard to predict, recording.

The Gates of Madness Full-length, 2010
Black Cathedral Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VOICE OF RUIN (SWITZERLAND)

Based on "Acheron", this act pull out 90's groovy post-thrash mixed with death with dark overtones and a somewhat elusive progressive aura, with more optimistic Swedish melo-death currents ("Salem"). The raging blast-beats on "One Way Overdose" are hardly necessary since they only dissipate the mood although "Dark Water" is a different story, a dynamic shredder which also nicely accommodates the rending shouty death metal vocalist.

Morning Wood Full-length, 2014
Consumed EP, 2015
Purge and Purify Full-length, 2017
Acheron Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VOID (GREECE)

Based on the first 2-song demo, this act plays heavy mid-paced power/thrash, still more classic-sounding, with good orchestral arrangements supported by an unobtrusive keyboard background. This is dark brooding stuff with sudden faster explosions, good semi-screaming leads, and cool mid-ranged semi-clean vocals.

In the Beginning There Was... Single, 1992
The Season of Misfortune Demo, 1992

VOID (USA)

Rough abrasive retro thrash with bashing pristine qualities; "Beware" is a prime bass-dominated headbanger, and "Taicon" a raucous hardcore-ish violator, the more flexible speed metal structure of "Return From the Void" giving the singer bigger chances to raise his timbre higher, the latter pretty decent all over, slightly resembling Sean Killian (Vio-Lence).

Demo Demo, 1990

VOID (USA, LA)

This is classic thrash which moves along the established canons, nothing particularly ground-breaking, the guys attempting a few more intricate arrangements ("Feeding Frenzy"), the galloping mosher "Godfather" racing with the speed metal furies for a bit. "Voodoo" goes in the same direction with a more belligerent thrashier attitude, and "Lazarus" hits more ambitious progressive dimensions, remaining the highlight on this decent entry if we also add the slow-burning drama on the minimalistic "Mirror Maze" which also sees the passable attached semi-clean vocalist performing with more pathos and emotion.

Horrors of Reality Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VOID CREATION (AUSTRIA)

Based on "Deadnology", this band offer a decent mix of classic and modern thrash which is diverse and energetic without sacrificing anything in the steam-roller department those passages carrying the album and consequently winning the battle with the faster-paced numbers bringing the album deeper and deeper into doom metal waters the closer "Earthlings 2.0" acquitting the morose atmosphere with an exiting portion of intense dramatic riffs.

Mind Control EP, 2011
Deadnology Full-length, 2015

Official Site

VOIDD (JAPAN)

Based on the debut, these guys may have started the prolific in Japan black/thrash metal scene. The music is simplistic aggressive black/thrash with hardcore-ish outbursts ("Pain"), which sounds more appealing when it slows down ("Disposable Life", the intense steam-rolling "Cult of the Dead"). A good touch is the short acoustic outro "Desperate Truth".

The follow-up is sustained in a more frank hardcore fashion this time leaving little from their black metal heritage concentrating on short, generally up-tempo, tracks with a few more stylish touches: funk, grunge, and even aggressive thrash/death on "Forsaken" which also features an original abstract deviation ala mid-period Voivod. The singer quarrels in a drunken death metal manner, but his antics suit the very laid-back musical delivery.

Desperate Truth Full-length, 1993
Texas Chainsaw Full-length, 1996
Dokurock Full-length, 1999

Official Site

VOIDHANGER (POLAND)

The debut: these Poles specialize in intense, occasionally brutal, concoction of thrash, black and death metal which comes with a boosted, crisp guitar sound and forceful, semi-shouty death metal vocals. Speed is pretty much the order of the day here, and in this train of thought the band come close to the rapid-fire delivery of acts like Torture Squad, Maze of Torment and Ravage. Thrash is given quite a space here with short bombarders like "Son of Cain" and "Dead Whore's Corpse", whereas on the other material the frequent blast-beats may come as too much for the regular thrash fan. The delivery is pretty straight-forward but a few licks ("Carnivorous Lunar Activities") here and there suggest at a bigger technical proficiency which would hopefully find more room on later releases. Some of the band members also play in the black/death metal outfit Infernal War, and the industrial black/death metallers Iperyt.

The EP is another aggressive effort the band moshing out with a lot of fury and speed, death and thrash leading the pack reminding of Torture Squad and Defleshed. More controlled thrashing can be heard on the cool "Silent Night, Deadly Night", and more technical death metal takes the upper hand on "Crumbs Of Divinity" which precedes the closing cover of Bathory's 'Sacrifice" done in a more brutal death metal-ish fashion, but still preserving the carefree bashing spirit of the original.

"Working Class Misanthropy" continues the brutal carnage without any mercy shown in the execution which is violent stripped-down bash with several sudden melodic deviations (the epic shredder "Dni Szaranczy"). Niceties of the kind, however, are not easy to spot amidst the raging hyper-speedy guitars which leave very little room for subtleties; this is aggressive but listenable barrage which shows an act not willing to compromise with their staple no-bars-held approach.
"Dark Days of the Soul" is a less restrained wild affair the band moshing with force and passion, the headbanging atmosphere seldom abandoned, with frequent blast-beating insertions scaring the listener. "High on Hate" misleads a bit with more epic accumulations, but this never develops into an officiant doom-fest except on the nice closing battle-instigator "Hailing the Devil in Me".

Wrathprayers Full-length, 2011
The Antagonist EP, 2012
Working Class Misanthropy Full-Length, 2013
Dark Days of the Soul Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VOIGHT KAMPFF (FRANCE)

The debut: aggressive, but also quite intriguing, classic thrash/death with modern leanings; the songs aren't totally devoid of melody and here comes "Emotional Response" to demand some "emotional response" from you with its nice melodic hooks ala the guys' compatriots Misanthrope. Later things become more interesting with the speedy progressive opus "Dangerous Days" and the weird technical creeper "In The Name Of God" which will remind you of both the Voivod period with Eric Forrest and Coroner's "Mental Vortex". Niceties of the sort are not to be come across later as the guys keep death/thrashing in a more conventional manner also overdoing it in the interlude/intro/outro department introducing too many breaks between the actual compositions. The shadow of the aforementioned Misanthrope looms heavily here, but this is good thought-out music which should keep the listener hooked for most of the time.
"Substance Reve" offers a more complex material reflected in much longer compositions this time some of which admirably catch the melodic intricacy of later-period Death ("Robotic Warfare", the excellent multifarious roller-coaster "Genetic Genesis"), the more immediate stuff ("Form Destroyer") indulging in pleasant mid-tempo thrash rhythms, compensating for the sprawling nature of the 10-min progressiver "Rebellion". "Fires of Orc" is a cool technical shredder setting the scene for the arrival of the imposing ambitious closer "La Derniere Rencontre" which again keeps the shadow of Death in close proximity.

More Human Than Human Full-Length, 2012
Substance Reve Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VOIVOD (CANADA)

One of the true auteurs of thrash metal; one would probably strongly disagree with this definition when listening to the raw, naive, but strangely compelling and listenable noise on "War & Pain", which was a dignified answer to the more extreme experimentations from the other side of the Atlantic, on the works of Hellhammer and early Celtic Frost, although its bigger fixation to thrash is more than obvious. Still, compared to the tighter, more professional sound from the same year efforts of Metallica and Slayer, this compulsive, but flawed release could not possibly hold water for very long. Some more noise was produced on "Rrroooaaarrr" (the "roaring" title already prepares the listener for what to expect), but this time the final result makes much more sense, and some more original decisions are hard to be disguised, even by the most chaotic numbers. Those decisions found their complete realisation on "Killing Technology", the band's magnum opus, progressive thrash at its finest; with its weird song-structures, original arrangements, and inimitable surreal spacey guitars, this album remains one of the peaks of the whole metal scene. "Dimension Hatross" followed a similar pattern, but it also contained more weird, abstract stuff which didn't quite sound like thrash. That same stuff became the base for a string of albums which had very little to do with thrash metal, with the avantgarde innovative "Nothingface" leading the pack. With the recruitment of Eric Forrest in the mid-90's Voivod came back on the right track again for two fine technical thrash efforts, albeit with a more modern, industrialized sound, very well conformed with the tastes of the time. The band's desire to play again with the original line-up from the 80's put an end to Forrest's spell (another reason was a car accident which put Forrest in bed for a long time) with them, and brought forth Jason Newsted (yeah, that same one!), but the music clings towards the band's non-thrash metal period (1989-1993), miles away from the high standards set by these greats almost 20 years ago.

In August, 2005, the band lost one of its founders, the talented guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, who passed away after a long fight with cancer.
"Target Earth": listening to this album, one can only wonder why the band wasted so much time producing this string of tepid unexciting efforts which the fanbase had to endure ever since the band's reformation more than ten years ago. Or probably they have decided to pull themselves together and pay one really worthy tribute to Piggy (R.I.P.), and possibly brush away the competition (the Poles Myopia are doing a great job at the moment impersonating the Voivods having released 3 albums of vintage "Killing Technology"-era styled thrash). Because this is easily one of the five best Voivod efforts, not only due of its "winks" at almost the whole band catalogue, but also due to the visionary approach (yes, that's still possible nowadays, folks!) which still sees the guys looking forward at some unseen from the rest future drawing paths very seldom explored if at all.

The title-track starts twisting and turning in unpredictable ways establishing the futuristic abstract tone which is directly taken from "Killing Technology" and "Dimension hatross", but not in a shameless self-raping way, but in a reshaped mutated form with an adapted modern feel and a more dissonant guitar edge which comes courtesy of the Piggy replacement Daniel Mongrain (having acquired the moniker Chewy to suit the band's traditional comic alias vogue), a guitar virtuoso who has proven himself way beyond the shadow of a doubt in some of the finest technical Canadian metal acts around: Martyr, Cryptopsy, Gorguts, Quo Vadis, etc. The rough guitar edge on the opener shows that the band would hardly resist to their thrashy infatuations of yore, and "Kluskap O'Kom" is already the staple mechanical shredder which may even make you mosh at times. Don't expect two in a row, though, as the guys' creativity reaches further than that with the spacey oddity "Empathy for the Enemy" which is a direct nod to "Nothingface". "Mechanical Mind" is a brilliant 7.5-min progressive thrash opera which seamlessly blends "Killing Technology" with "Negatron" to a hallucinogenic effect. The discordant thrashisms of this number stay around for "Warchaic" which is a bit more chaotic and oblivious with more calmer breaks. The album takes a more surreal psychedelic direction from here with both "Resistance" and "Kaleidos" being interesting illogical thrashers with a quasi-industrial feel even touching early Treponem Pal. "Corps Etranger" brings back the faster headbanging rhythms and remains the only full-blooded headbanger till the end before the closing "Artefact" delves deeper into the futuristic discordant chaos encountered previously. Snake's voice sounds quite hoarse and a bit less indifferent compared to his previous delivery, and matches the futuristic musical landscapes drawn just perfect. This is the best possible start of the musical year 2013, a delightful, and quite unexpected at that, return to form of one of the most imaginative forces on the field. Rest in peace, Piggy...

"Post-Society": the Voivods are back and their staple dissonant, quirky style is evident from the very opening title-track, an energetic speed/proto-thrasher with a weird abstract flair the latter replaced in the middle by a stomping interlude and a curious lead section. Snake's singing is a bit gruffer with a not very sober shade this time, but this indifferent semi-declamatory approach is just perfect for the other-worldly musical tapestries weaving in and out of existence. "Forever Mountain" is a pensive spacer which suddenly introduces more dynamic riffage of the robotic, sterile variety the middle being the ultimate accumulation of strange, illogical rhythms with hints at metallic extraterrestrial visitations. "Fall" is alternative proto-thrashisms of the unnerving, mechanical kind; expect another more intense passage in the middle along with great melodic deviations which sound nicely surreal on the complex, mathematical background. "We Are Connected" moves to almost full-blooded thrash speeding up until it reaches the hard to decipher mid-section where balladic obliviados merge with offbeat jumpy rhythmic patterns to a disorienting effect, before the more orthodox fast-paced motif is brought back with style as a finishing touch. The closing "Silver Machine" is a spacey rocker which some may recognize as a cover version of the psychedelic masters Hawkwind, faithfully rendered so don't expect any thrashy histrionics. As a whole the band have cooked another stellar effort remaining in the one-of-a-kind department where only a very few chosen belong.
The "Cockroaches" EP is a relative obscurity in the band's discography, inaugurating their grandiose progressive period, also tearing down the walls of their previous naive musical primitivism. It only contains two songs, both sheer representatives of their schizoid, surreal style so handsomely displayed on "Killing Technology". "Too Scared To Scream" is twisted spacey rhythms gradually spiralling out of control Snake's vocals way more dramatic than his subsequent dispassionate recitals; and the rhythm section is strictly on the thrash side speeding up on occasion. The title-track is more rough-around-the-edges with distant echoes of the discordant, happy-go-lucky style of "Rrrroooaaarrr", but no complaints whatsoever since the song is a major headbanger all the way with a great dissonant mid-break: welcome to the advanced "killing technology" of the 21th century presented a few years too early.
"The Wake": it's probably a bit late to awake anything within the metal roster in the new millennium, but it there's a band that can stir anything like a small revolt on any scale, this is Voivod. This opus is another no-brainer for all fans of high quality progressive metal as the Canadian masters do not disappoint. Just to think that I have nearly written them off the chart after their first few instalments from the 00's as obviously thrash wasn't going to be given room on their works anymore... It shines bright here, though, but in the guys' individual characteristic application, with "Obsolete Beings" marching onward with energetic dissonant rhythms, a semi-angry spacey masterpiece which contrasting lyrical, quiet finale will bring peace and tranquillity in many households around the world. It flows into the oblivious pensive semi-balladic "The End of Dormancy" which nervy accumulations hide a lot of tension, too, the latter erupting on the "Dimension Hatross" leftover "Orb Confusion", a relatively calm dissonancer without too many jolts. "Iconspiracy" brings back the spinning roller-coaster riffage with thrash returning to the fore to aggravate the hallucinogenic proceedings, the speedy fiesta ornate by a nice operatic keyboard-infused etude, a very surprising turn of events the band having never adhered to this particular gimmick before... well, anything is possible on the Voivod camp, especially from a spherical perspective like on "Spherical Perspective", a creepy patient dirger which "courts" the balladic and the doomy again initially until a more intense skirmish startles the fan the latter totally bemused by the end of this marvel, one of the guys' crowning achievements. No slouchers after it, mind you, with "Event Horizon" pricking the subconscious with nervy jazzy bounces, and "Always Moving" bracing itself for a thrilling thrashy ride, a surreal eccentric cut the band moshing in their own inimitable way with breath-taking atmospheric respites further enriching the consummate soundscape which receives a really nice summation on the closing 12.5-min saga "Sonic Mycelium", an encompassing progressive thrasher with spiral-like riff-patterns and jazzy/funky walkabouts which jump over each other in a charming, at times illogical, manner perplexing the listener who won't help but be totally sold for the band's cause once again, the true auteurs of metal well-deservedly leading the old school resurrection campaign, keeping everyone wide awake with their brilliant futuristic, psychedelic vistas.
"Synchro Anarchy": hm, there's no end to perfection, but a fourth consecutive exceedingly strong outing already borders on the supernatural... well, if you think of it, these Canadian troubadours have never been a natural entity, so for us the mere mortals what's left is to submerge ourselves into another supreme representation from these geniuses' catalogue. Strange that I never thought they'd be able to pull it off without Piggy (R.I.P.)... but they not only did pull it off but continue to excel as evident from the overtly rowdy futuristic thrasher "Paranormalium" at the start, the guys sounding angrier, their vehemence eventually materializing again, on the equally fervent "Mind Clock", the thrashing fury put under control on the pensive angular marvel that is the title-track, "Planet Eaters" marching onward with irregular sterile strides, bumping into the crooked thrash/crossover energizer "Sleeves Off". "Holographic Thinking" is a very enjoyable uplifting stroll with dry mechanical qualities, a spacey progressiver at its finest, and "The World Today" follows a similar path with another supply of relatively merry bouncy rhythms. "Quest For Nothing" marvelously turns to hectic tech-thrash for a change, the dynamics retained on the closing psychedelic thrashing odyssey "Memory Failure", a superb way to end this next-in-line outstanding entry into the discography of one of the finest music acts to ever grace the scene.

War and Pain Full-length, 1984
Thrashing Rage EP, 1986
Rrroooaaarrr Full-length, 1986
Cockroaches EP, 1987
Killing Technology Full-length, 1987
Dimension Hatross Full-length, 1988
Nothingface Full-length, 1989
Angel Rat Sampler EP, 1991
Angel Rat Full-length, 1991
The Lost Machine/Jack Luminous EP, 1993
The Outer Limits Full-length, 1993
Negatron Full-length, 1995
Phobos Full-length, 1997
Live @ Musiqueplus EP, 2000
Voivod Full-length, 2003
Katorz Full-length, 2006
Infini Full-length, 2009
Target Earth Full-Length, 2013
Post-Society EP, 2016
The Wake Full-Length, 2018
Synchro Anarchy Full-Length, 2022

Official Site

VOLAND (RUSSIA)

Inspired, but very roughly produced classic thrash which sounds pleasantly technical on the opening instrumental "Black Fate". Later on the band continue shredding with passion, but the fuzzy guitar sound takes away a part of the entertainment. The singer is a vicious semi-cleaner who is more of an obstruction rather than an asset with his thin unrehearsed timbre.

Walk to Stud-City Demo, 1993

VOLCANIC SLUT (USA)

One musician is behind this 3-track EP of fast uncompromising thrash/proto-death metal very similar to the first two Death efforts. Expect fast blitzkrieg riffs, apocalyptic shouty vocals not far from the early ones of Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P.), and a fuzzy guitar sound which takes away some of the guitar sharpness.

Blasphemaster EP, 2010

VOLCANO (JAPAN)

Another worthy band from Japan, Volcano play good power/thrash metal with excellent, at times neo-classical guitar work, courtesy of She-Ja: the man also responsible for the guitars on the Gargoyle albums. The music is not very heavy, it's more on the melodic side, but the musicianship at display is truly impressive, especially the mind-bending solos. "Violent" is the band's thrashiest and violent effort which spares no speed and high musicianship on great tracks, like the opener "Kill All Of Me" (which comes served with some of the finest leads around) and the aggressive, crushing "Ghost". This strong duo is followed by less impressive, but still good numbers: the speed metal delight "Brain Dance", the modern power/thrasher in the modern day Overkill-vein "Fear Of The Scarlet", the speed/thrasher "Devil-May-Care-Boy", which even picks up a death metal-like aggression for a while. In the middle one will come across soft heavy metal pieces, one of which is really bad: a pointless mixture of groove and pop-metal, and even a shade of stoner/doom. The exiting two songs are almost identical to the first two: blistering speed/thrash with fabulous guitar performance, more than compensating for the disappointing middle part. The singer is a high-shouter, but not in the irritating, screechy way, recalling the first Loudness vocalist Masaki Yamada.

"Davi" starts in an impressive manner with the intense thrashing "Absurd", the band's most aggressive achievement. This is quite misleading, though, since what follows is not even half as fast and interesting: power metal-laced songs, again reaching the bottom with bland modern pop-metalish ones in the middle. "Progress" arrives a bit late to save the day, but is a satisfying fast-paced thrasher. The following "No Way Man" is slower, but is not bad with up-tempo galloping rhythms. "In The Black" is a long, 7-min semi-ballad, and the next "Barbwire", which is the album closer, tries hard to compensate for the wasted time with smashing speedy riffs exiting the album in a flying thrashy manner. In the long run one can not help, but like the music here although as a whole this is quite an uneven affair, which paved the way for the band's departure from the thrash metal field, seen on the following EP's which are pretty much in the spirit of the not really good softer compositions the band used to place in the middle of the full-lengths.
"Mythology" introduces two guys from Youthquake, a bassist and a drummer, who assist Nov and Co. in the production of this new chapter from the band's career which sees them returning to their more thrashing patterns of old. Don't expect full-blooded thrash here, please: speed, power, and their more recent post-thrash days are all covered almost in equal dozes, but all will hail speed/thrash hymns like "Dead Men Tell No Tales" and "Warrior's Play". The guitar work is traditionally on a high level with the melody paid special attention, sometimes more than necessary, but all is blended well to ensure this album's wide appeal staying faithful to the similar approach of fellow compatriots like Sex Machineguns, Hellbound, Cocobat, etc.
"Melt" is a "wild beast" the band speed/thrashing with force from the get-go with the opening sweeper "Super Whole Stone". Expectedly at some point the tempo slows down with the epic power metal winner "The Mother Earth", but more surprises have been "cooked" for the fans this time, like the brutal grinding outburst on "Tokyo Panic", and on the other extreme the calm ballad "Aim,Shoot,No,Kill". This is another larger-than-life effort from the Japanese "volcanoes" which also impresses with the nice orchestral instrumental closer "Fire Sky~Another World~".
"Godspeed" is another odyssey similar to its predecessors, the band thrashing hard ("Salvage Sun", "D.R."), courting the tender souls ("I Decide Who I Am"), striding towards the power/speed metal movement ("Into The Flame"), stomping like behemoths ("Angel Son"), attempting something complex and entangled ("Grief")... seems like a deal, this effort which seldom puts a foot wrong, covering a fair ground by not betraying the band's loyal fanbase.

Spring of Life EP, 1994
Violent Full-length, 2000
Die Hard EP, 2000
Davi Full-length, 2001
Living Corpse EP, 2004
The Viper's Path EP, 2005
Mythology Full-length, 2011
Melt Full-Length, 2015
Leviathan Full-length, 2017
Irregular Full-length, 2018
Darker than Black Full-length, 2018
Godspeed Full-length, 2020

Official Site

VOLCANO DIVING INC (USA)

Based on the full-length, this band play banal insipid modern post-thrash/thrashcore which goes straight into garage/funk rock ("No Cure for Age") in a near-impromptu fashion, with groovy chuggers ("Chode Slam") adding more to the embarrassment, the shouty quarrelsome semi-death vocals not doing much to improve the dire situation.

The March Begins EP, 2016
The March of the Lemmings Full-length, 2020

Official Site

VOLITILE ZYLOG (POLAND)

This is the first band for members of the death metal formation Morpheus Descends, who also had another unit at around the same time, the thrash/deathsters Behemoth. On the demo here they have settled for quite engaging classic prog-thrash which comes served with a nice atmospheric/operatic colouring on “The Woods of Suicide”, whereas “Death of Life” is a hectic quasi-progressiver with an insistent stomping rhythm-section and sudden bouncy turnarounds. “Xenogenesis” is a brilliant surreal tractate on Voivod-ian lore, a creepy bizarre moroser with beautiful speedy accumulations disrupting the relatively peaceful spacey soundscapes. The vocalist is a meaner version of Snake (Voviod again), his spiteful semi-recitals perfectly fitting the appetizing off-the-beaten-path canvas.

Of Unknown Origin Demo, 1990

Youtube

VOLKANA (BRAZIL)

Four girls and one guy (on drums); Volkana appeared relatively late on the Brazilian metal scene, but their two albums kept the genre alive there, albeit for a while. The style is typical old school thrash, mostly heavy and mid-paced; more serious and thrashy on the debut, and less striking on the sophomore release with a clear rock-ish vibe acquiring groovy moments from the 90's scene on 'Mindtrips", with a couple of lighter moments, like the Ramones' cover of "Pet Cemetary" on the debut.

First Full-length, 1991
Mindtrips Full-length, 1994

Youtube

VOLKSSTURM (RUSSIA)

This is pretty interesting old school thrash mixed with doom/death moments ala early Tiamat, with very brutal guttural vocals and beautiful characteristic keyboard ornamentations, the latter recalling Nocturnus quite a bit. The feeling is very dark, despite the few more melodic moments, a foreboding atmosphere well captured in the heavy guitar tone and the frequent, but never overdone, doom-flavoured sections ("Ritual of Reborn" is the only pure doom metal cut, very well done at that, with echoes of Cemetary as well). "Liquidator" is a splashing headbanger, lashing fiery riffs for about 3-min, and the following "Gib Mir Patronen" acquires purer speed metal shades. Time for another doom/gothic piece: "Lost It All", which is more lyrical clinging towards the ballad, despite the thundering riffage, boasting the finest keyboard melodies, which here are simply addictive. It's a pity that the band never recorded anything else: this original take on the genre needed a few more efforts to find its fuller realisation.

When You Fall Down Full-length, 1993

My Space

VOLRAHVEN (USA)

This US trio specialize in a modern thrash/death hybrid assisted by shouty death metal vocals; this is both heavy and pounding ("Terror") and fast and uncompromising ("Descent") music which acquires a more ambitious veneer on the sprawling 8.5-min epic "Preachers", a decent attempt at a more thought-out song-writing.

Descent of the Feathered Serpent EP, 2021

Official Site

VOLT (CANADA)

The debut: this act specialize in a modern/classic thrash/death mixture which alternates more intense roller-coasters ("Thrashocalypse") with more melodic chapters from the Gothenburg school ("Malicious Communion") and imposing doom excursions ("Serene Deletion"). "Speed and Mayhem" doesn't quite justify its title being a bumpy mid to up-tempo proposition, influencing the cuts in the second half which are more or less peaceful thrashy mid-pacers with echoes of Arch Enemy.
“Misanthropolis” is a more aggressive fare, “Greyskull” moshing with badly disguised glee, the more diverse layout of “Lethargic Seduction” not occurring elsewhere, letting hyper-active extrapolations like the infectiously melodious “Mortal Coil” and the tank-like “Until Oblivion Reveals” sneak in. “We Ride at Dawn” settles for a more measured mid-paced ride, but watch out for the fast-paced virulence of “The Black Pharaoh”, this highly dynamic parade ably assisted by the competent shouty death metal vocals.

The Grand Deception Full-Length, 2019
Misanthropolis Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VOLTAIC (USA)

A new formation who specialize in vitriolic classic thrash/death with devious twisted elements ("Conquest) embedded into an overall hyper-active main frame, one that is built on speed almost exclusively, the more playful thrash/crossover layout of "Plagued Pleasure" dissipating slightly the intensity, the other major distraction being the cool closer "Frail Existence", a semi-technical headbanger supervised by the shouty semi-death/semi-rending metal vocals.

Frail Existence Full-length, 2020

Official Site

VOMIKAUST (USA)

The "Filth" demo: a raw bad sound quality leaves not much to be enjoyed from this primal take on the retro black/speed/thrash metal sound which also touches death metal ("Suicidal Possession") occasionally, and the guitar work at times may remind you of Mike Scaccia (Rigor Mortis). The music is consistently fast the whole time, and the singer is an authentic black metal rasper.

The "Punishment of Existence" demo begins with a very slow doomy intro ala early Candlemass with funeral overtones, but very soon after the "massacre" begins with the fierce deathster "Stricken" which is both technical and brutal to a pretty positive effect. "Welcoming End" is another sure-handed technical piece seeing the guys changing the approach towards death metal much more with black and thrash showing up here and there, but just for a change. The 2 guys involved here also take part in various other death and black metal acts: the brutal death metallers Extremely Rotten; the black/death metal hybriders Ov; etc.

The EP is just plain blasting noise, the band just going over all limits to produce the most brutal sounds of their career although the tunes on the extreme black/thrasher "Of Filth And Death" may catch the listener's attention. "Suicidal Possession" also contains a few aggressive thrash shredding sections which work well with the more intense death metal implements. The last song is a cover of the US black metal pioneers Von, "Devil Pig", taken from their debut demo, and is pure evil misanthropic black metal.

Filth Demo, 2009
Punishment of Existence Demo, 2010
Morbid Way to Suffer EP, 2012

My Space

VOMIT (USA)

Meet the short underground version of "Reign in Blood" which was even released before the Slayer album. These are three songs of merciless bashing thrash marred by a bad sound quality, but the inspired bashing should have won them a steady fanbase, albeit for a very short while: "Fallen Empire" is one of the first genuine takes on vicious death metal this side of the Death and Protector demos from around the same time. The band never lasted longer to make a more lasting impression, but this short compulsive outburst should be heard by more.

Vomithrash Demo, 1986

VOMIT BAG SQUAD (BRAZIL)

Two guys are behind this project which operates within the boundaries of the good old school thrash, with both more technical ("What a Piece" the excellent twisting headbanger "Fear the Chainsaw") and more straight-forward ("Send More Cops") flying around in quick succession, the more elaborate "One of Us" another pleasant occurrence, a meandering intricate shredder with quite a few tempo changes. "Beware the Moon" continues with the intellectual technical carnage, handsomely supported by both the heavier more atmospheric "Satanico Pandemonium" and the surreal hectic moshing delight "Soulmates Beyond the Flesh", a really nice way to end this highly entertaining opus. The singer is a passable semi-shouty throat who is more on the mean vitriolic side.

Tales from the Bag Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VOMIT DIVISION (GERMANY)

Based on the full-length, this one-man project, the alias Desmotes, deliver intense vicious old school black/thrash which juggles through simplistic early Bathory-sque pageants ("Slaves of the Cock"), Motorhead-ish speedsters ("Cunts & Cocaine"), epic black marches ("Black Metal Bastards"), and feelgood heavy rockers. The vocals don't change anywhere being shouty raven-like rasps, not very willing to accommodate the mellower strokes.

Rites of Vomit EP, 2019
Nuclear Lemonade EP, 2020
Hell in a Bottle Full-length, 2020

Official Site

VOMIT OF DOOM (ARGENTINA)

Based on the "Fatal Assault" demo, this act indulges in primitive raw retro black/thrash which becomes more comprehensive on the energetic cover of Sodom's "Outbreak of Evil". The rest is messy with distorted guitars and shouty death metal vocals. Some of the band members can also be seen in the death/black metal horde Abominablood.
The full-length is better constructed with more polished guitars and some admirable headbangers will grace the fan's ears: "Conspiracy Vs The World", the speed metal glory "Evoked Devastation", the death/thrashing madness "Maze Of Doom", and almost every other song. "Obey The Darkness" comes with a more macabre blacky colouring, but the rest is blazing old school lash which is very close to reaching the speed of light on the final "Satan`s Vengeance".

Satan's Vengeance Demo, 2010
Fatal Assault Demo, 2010
Death Thrash Genocide EP, 2012
Obey the Darkness EP, 2014
Obey the Darkness Full-length, 2015

Official Site

VOMIT THE HATE (TUNISIA)

This band plays wild, frantic technical thrash/death metal with shorter compositions, brutal low-tuned death metal vocals, and brilliant lead guitar work. The leads are clearly the highlight of the album surpassing the aggressive fast riffage most of the time. The rhythm is frequently fast, with adherence to blast-beats, whenever necessary, interrupted by stylish, slower technical sections, some of which are worthy of bands like Suffocation or Necrophagist (check out "Independent (The Gate)") even. On the other extreme we have the short, grinding "Break the Chains". Another great track is "Mutilate...For My Hate", which will remind you of Carcass' mid-period which is probably the closest sound-alike to this strong release, although the Africans are faster and more hectic. Check also the nice melodic guitar lines on the brilliant closing instrumental "Horizon" which nicely contrast to the very fast riffage. With a couple of more albums of the kind, these guys could easily put the North African metal scene on the metal map.

The "Premortem Rot" EP is four songs of fast hectic thrash/death metal the latter clearly dominating this time making this short effort a close companion to the last Necrophagist album except for the very brutal low-tuned growls.

Of Ignorance And Self Destruct Full-Length, 2008
Premortem Rot EP, 2010

Official Site

VOMITILE (CYPRUS)

Based on the full-length, this act indulge in classic thrash/death played with intensity the guys relying on speed more and succeeding in bringing the primal atmosphere of the late-80's when this hybrid was born. The singer may be a distraction with his very rough shouty timbre which is plain noise for at least half the time. The approach is direct and straight except for a few more intricate deviations ("Decapitation Of The Gods") which are ably compensated by brutal sincere death/proto-grindy cuts (the closer "Cesspool Of Blood And Hate").

Rotting Life EP, 2010
Igniting Chaos Full-length, 2013

Official Site

VOMITOR (AUSTRALIA)

This band is a kind of a side project for some of the Gospel of the Horns members; the style is cool old school thrash with not many shades of black metal (reference to the Gospel of the Horns style)- maybe a few in the spirit of Venom. This is a direct take on the first days of the genre, with simplistic, but potent forceful guitar work in the vein of early Slayer, Dark Angel, Hallows Eve, Kreator, Sodom, etc.

One would be surprised to see these guys alive and well after a very long absence. "Devils Poison" is a much more brutal affair than the tepid debut, raw merciless bash adding death and black metal to the thrashy wall of sound. The first two tracks will cause you a headache with the constant downpour of fast aggressive abrasive guitars, but the band know mercy shown with the longer mid-paced "Saga of the Rage". Still, the majority of the songs are speedy "outbreaks of evil", early Sodom the most obvious influence also displayed in the song-titles ("Beast of Sodom") with a doze of early Celtic Frost and Hellhammer added on the slower sections; the atmosphere of the early black/thrash metal scene is very well captured including the sinister semi-whispered vocals crossing Tom Angelripper with a lower-pitched Schmier.

"The Escalation" is not exactly an "escalation" from the guys' previous output, but carries on in the same no-bars-held manner this time bashing quite brutally the blast-beats very frequently adhered to, to the point of Cryptic Slaughter-esque madness only that the musicianship here is on a lower level. Actually, there's hardly a calm moment (the closer "Horrors of Black Earth" can qualify as one with its sleepy heavy metal rhythms, totally off-context) on this ultra-violent slab which sounds way closer to black metal now due to the underground sound quality applied so well, and the witch-like vicious vocals.
"Prayers To Hell": the guys have no intentions of slowing down, and there's seldom any respite on this lashing roller-coaster which is closer to death metal this time "Cry From The Underground" bringing the spirit of thrash in the middle with full force. The madness, however, carries on remorselessly later on with the insane brutalizer "Preyer To Hell" and "Devil's Poison", the closer "Midnight Madness" serving as the alleviator with its more moderate, stomping Celtic Frost-esque riffs.
"Pestilent Death" again stays closer to death with the shadow of Celtic Frost ("Roar of War") lurking in the background for the occasional doom-laden digression. "Abracadabra" serves some wild semi-technical bash ala Hellwitch, but tings go over the borders of good taste with a near blast-beating intensity applied which doesn't deliver as well, not pairing that well with the exiting duo of officiant stompers of which "Hells Butcher" is a nice reminder of the legends Dream Death with its sinister layout.

Neutron Hammer EP, 2002
Bleeding the Priest Full-length, 2002
Devils Poison Full-length, 2010
The Escalation Full-Length, 2012
Prayers To Hell Full-Length, 2016
Pestilent Death Full-Length, 2018

Official Site

VOMITORIUM (USA)

Pretty decent thrashy barrage with both crossover and speed metal tendencies; intriguing melodic hooks ("Bandidos") cross swords with short bashing outbursts ("Who Died") and longer shredding strolls ("Duckies and Bunnies") the latter losing the fast-paced idea for a bit, the harsh rending death metal vocals ruining the merry setting at times.

Ad Nauseum Demo, 1987

VOMITORY (GERMANY)

A band from the less impressive side of German thrash metal; despite some technical pretensions displayed throughout their works, this is just an average blend of classic and modern thrash with awkward funky passages which will remind you of a lesser Mordred. More concentration on the more aggressive side of the band's music (because they definitely have it) would have been better. Actually "Hour of Truth" starts in a cool headbanging fashion with the intense "F.T.A. (aka "Fuck The Army"), but after it the guys introduce more unusual guitar moments, which seldom deliver the goods: "Witches & Demons". The leads are the strongest point, saving both works from sinking; check out "The Bringers of Faith". The more aggressive and straight-forward side of the music works better: "Future Shock".
"Baschlasophobic" again starts with a strong opener ("Warchild", which is not a Running Wild cover; even the funky section on this one is fairly interesting), but later the music loses steam despite the heavy riff-work which unfortunately is chaotic and choppy, almost to a jazzy extent. The funky elements are more frequent and other awkward decisions like the inclusion of one tender, 7-min long ballad ("A Little Song About Dying": I can see quite a few hard-core thrashers "dying" on this one...), make this album the lesser achievement of the two.

Hour of Truth Full-length, 1991
Baschlasophobic Full-length, 1993
Rawhead Full-length, 1996

VOMITOSE (SWITZERLAND)

Dishevelled, scattered post-thrash with a few more technical pretensions which will remind of the early Treponem Pal works. There are very playful, unserious pieces which border on crossover, and generally the mish-mash is pretty big the climax being the ultra-boring, ultra-long (10-min) doomster "Le Souffle". The singer is probably on the more convincing side with his authoritative semi-clean croon which holds some melody whenever necessary.

Ode Full-Length, 1994

VOMITRON (USA)

This is a side project of Peter Rutcho who graced with his presence good thrash metal acts, like Blistered Earth and Crotalus. The music here is mostly instrumental, and is a solid mix of many styles, thrash metal being the main one. The musicianship is on a high level including heavy, thrashy riffs and nice acoustic passages. There's a certain use of keyboards, but it's tasteful and well suited. There's a very interesting slightly electronic version of the hit "Ghostbusters" with synthesized vocals, almost as good as the one of Xentrix, and a version of Testament's "First Strike Is Deadly" which sounds so much like the original that I kind of wondered whether there wasn't some mistake, and this song had been somehow added to my version of the album. A really cool work of non-standard metal; will appeal to fans of many sub-genres.

Vomitron Full-length, 2007

My Space

VOMITVSANCTVS (POLAND)

This is decently done old school black/death/thrash that has virulence in spades thanks to short but aggressive representations like "Voices" and "Reverend", the authoritative semi-declamatory death metal vocalist doing a fine job as well, being comprehensible and threatening in equal dozes. The abrasive battle-rouser "Pestilence" will recall the British legends Bolt Thrower, "Zgnilizna" serving a few intriguing psychedelic overtones, the latter missing from the pummeling vigorous closed "Secretion of Contempt". The guys are also occupied with the death/thrash hybriders Amnestia.

Secretion of Contempt Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VON HELSING (USA)

The line-up includes former members of other thrash metal bands: Nuclear Assault and Primal Scream. This demo is a real treasure: the style is excellent speed/power/thrash metal, rubbing shoulders with the Agent Steel debut and Helstar's "Remnants of War". The singer has a very powerful voice, a nice cross between Warrel Dane and John Cyriis. The music is intense and fast-paced, but there are cool slower sections, too. "Fight Zone" is a magnificent speed/thrasher which would easily pass the exam even for "Unstoppable Force".

Demo Demo, 1987

VON SKELETOR (USA)

This is the band where Nick Menza put more effort outside his engagements with Megadeth. The style on their only demo is a slightly uneven mixture of power, speed and thrash, miles away from Megadeth, recalling Exciter or a more aggressive Motorhead in the faster sections (which are not that many).

Injection of Death Demo, 1991

VON TESLA (USA)

Based on "The Nine Hells", this band play heavy modern power/thrash which combines groove and melody the concoction topped by gruff semi-clean vocals. The situation becomes more vivid with the more varied "Malbolge, The 6th Hell", and "the 5th hell", "Stygia, the 5th Hell", which follows is another more intense roller-coaster. There are doomy and atmospheric sections thrown in which also work well having in mind the volcanic nature of the music.

Fiendish Folio Full-length, 2014
The Nine Hells Full-length, 2014

Official Site

VOODOO (ARGENTINA)

Heavy groovy post-thrash mixed with doom/sludge; so this isn't going to be the headbanger's paradise as the music is mid-paced to slow-ish, and the doom metal lovers would be happier here.

Matar o Morir Full-length, 2007

My Space

VOODOO (CHILE)

A heavy mix of modern and classic thrash, at times thrashing like there's no tomorrow ("El Lamento Del Chakal"), at times slowing down to doomy/epic dimensions ("La Ultima Reflexion") surrounded by a sinister black metal atmosphere in the vein of Barathrum and Khold.

Visiones de Horror Demo, 1999

VOODOO (USA)

This is bland insipid modern groovy post-thrash which lacks everything which made Pantera's "Vulgar Display of Power" an instant classic: power, energy, riffs, edge, even "vulgarity", if you like... the music is plagued by too many balladic and semi-balladic passages to be good fun even for the more romantic inclined fanbase. A total waste of time even for the 90's generation.

Non-Fiction Full-Length, 1995

VOODOO GODS (USA)

The EP: heavy modern thrash with a buzzy guitar sound and brutal death metal vocals; the guys mix it up providing both fast and slow moments the latter coming with a few cool melodic licks including a couple of really stylish leads. There are a few nice technical leanings on the longer material ("Rise of the Voodoo Ostinati" which comes with a brilliant balladic "acoustic vs. leads" outro) which may get a fuller shape on the eventual full-length: there's definitely a potential here...

The full-length debut is a furious affair now notching it up in the death metal department. The music is very energetic and some of the melodies are just addictive, both lead and riff-wise. The up-tempo moments ("Renaissance of Retribution") have a strong Gothenburg flavour whereas the more officious ones ("Wrath of the Invisible Children", the final "Article 246") are pure epic doom/power/thrash with a progressive colouring.
"The Divinity of Blood" is a more complex affair with thrash brought back more prominently, the band acquitting themselves with longer more ambitious compositions ("From Necromancy to Paraphilia", the epic atmospheric "Forever!"). Death metal still roams around ("Menace to God", the fast-paced ripper "Serenade of Hate"), and it's on the hybrids between the two genres ("The Absolute Necessity to Kill") where the guys really shine with a wide array of more technical tricks.

Shrunken Head EP, 2012
Anticipation for Blood Leveled in Darkness Full-Length, 2014
The Divinity of Blood Full-length, 2020

Official Site

VOODOO TERROR TRIBE (USA)

Based on the debut, this is modern post-thrash with an alternative, even semi-progressive edge, coming also from the cool, clean vocals; the sound lacks a bite, and is more along the lines of mid-period Machine Head and 90's Flotsam & Jetsam. The guys often fall into the groovy "traps" as well, a situation slightly repaired by their sense of melody, well expressed on the melodic, semi-balladic breaks. This is far from being an all-out thrash affair: fans of classic heavy metal, progressive, and even grunge will find something to like here.

The EP is a much better offering with a thicker sound and more aggressive rhythms seeing the vocalist now singing in an attached dramatic manner with a deep clean voice. Hard industrialized thrashing can be heard on "Twenty12", but later the mellowness takes over, and despite the cool balladic insertions and the ambitious operatic arrangements the approach lacks the flair to make it take off degenerating to bitter sludgy groove on the closer "Never Died Before".

Mandala Full-length, 2005
Alone In Pain Full-length, 2007
Symptoms of Sin Full-length, 2009
Stand to Reason EP, 2012

My Space

VOODOOCULT (GERMANY)

This band is a curiosity: Philip Boa, the leader of the electronic pop band called the Voodoo Club, decides to play some is a better offering metal for a change. Not only does he decide to do that, but for some mysterious reason he seems to know quite a few of the finest musicians from the metal field (they might have been fans of his band?!) including Shuck Schuldiner (R.I.P.), Waldemar Sorychta (Despair, Grip Inc.), Dave Lombardo and Mille Petrozza. With such a line-up one should expect nothing short of a masterpiece, but apparently Philip Boa has no experience handling metal heroes of this calibre, and the result on the debut is just slightly above average modern power/thrash with no big merits except for the very promising opener in the Grip Inc-vein "Killer Patrol". With an entirely new line-up featuring more big although not as distinguished, names: Gabby Abularach (Cro-Mags), Jim Martin (Faith No More), Markus Freiwald (Despair), Boa manages to pull out a more impressive sophomore effort with an aggressive industrial sound calling to mind Ministry and Skrew. The music is more versatile containing very wild, bordering on grindcore, pieces ("Death Of A Kung Fu Fighter"). The band finally seemed set to take off, but the project fell apart soon after.

Jesus Killing Machine Full-length, 1994
Voodoocult Full-length, 1995

My Space

VOODOOPRIEST (BRAZIL)

Based on the full-length, this new formation offer retro blitzkrieg thrash/proto-death with echoes of their compatriots Torture Squad and Sepultura, but the approach here is more technical and more melodic the latter making some numbers ("Religion in Flames") addictive listens. "Warrior" is a fiery deathster, but elsewhere the delivery is more clever the riff-patterns "bludgeoning" the listener with a cool sophisticated edge hitting the top on the short hectic "Swallowed by the Waters" near the end. The vocals are aggressive death metal-ish and are not exactly a match to the better music.

Voodoopriest EP, 2013
Mandu Full-length, 2014

Official Site

VOOR (CANADA)

Both demos show a band who played cool speed/thrash metal reminiscent of Exorcist, but less adventurous and more aggressive. The vocals are the highlight here, being one of the most extreme ones at that early stage of the genre's development; have definitely been an influence on some death metal singers later: Chuck Schuldiner(R.I.P.), for example, his vocal style used on the early Death albums.
The full-length sees the veterans back to life on an official release stage by retaining their staple frolic power/speed/thrash style from the early days the uplifting headbangers ("You Bring a Knife") mingling with pounding mid-paced power/thrashers ("Take Us to Your Leader"), with short hardcore-ish explosions ("Tentrum") energizing the environment the latter not really enhanced by the string of clumsier slower cuts at the end among which "Further Out" is a frank nod at the doom metal realm.

Demo Demo, 1985
Evil Metal Demo, 1985
Back to Arvida EP, 2014
Back from Oblivion Full-length, 2017

My Space

VOOR (CHILE)

The debut: intense varied retro thrash with threatening growling death metal vocals; the approach can be fast and relentless ("Reached by Your Death", "The Deserving of Death") at times, but watch out for some more serious execution on "Rage from the South" and the heavy stomping closer "The Hatred Command", the band toning it down towards the end, also throwing in the rock-ish crowd-pleaser "Stoned Forever" as a mild deviation.
The EP is strictly on the moshing vigorous side, the merry melodic speedster "False People Will Die" exemplifying the atmosphere very well, the deviation from the norm coming in the form of the progressive stomper "Rage from the South", already heard on the preceding entry, which still unleashes bursting impetuous gallops for a change towards the end.

Voor Full-Length, 2019
Cold And Strong As Ice EP, 2020

Official Site

VORACCE (BRAZIL)

Based on the full-length, this band pull out intense, at least at the beginning, old school thrash which can be wonderfully melodic at times: check out the superb lead sections on "Bleed Inside" or the cumulative tunes on the otherwise raging "Soul to Dance with Me". "Orange Sky" is a stopover from the melee providing moderately performed epic hooks, the latter also taking over on the lyrical, also melancholic "Melancholy", these compositions making the second half way mellower, the harsh death metal vocals not doing these songs much justice.

Bleed Inside EP, 2017
Voracce Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VORACE (CHILE)

This is modern post-thrash which marches forward with heavy abrasive guitars and frequent industrial and grungy insertions. The tone is mid-paced and a tad jumpy, and this inevitably produces more serious "fruit": the mechanical closing opus which relies on almost deathly dramatism to pull it through, along with the doom-immersed outro ala early Cathedral. The vocalist rends his throat adding more noisy environment to the already not very tolerable musical pitch.

1113 Full-Length, 2014

VORACE (GERMANY)

This effort is concocted by just one person, Claude Hostettler, who indulges in pretty decent thrash/death blending the dominant retro sound with a few more modern touches. The shorter, more immediate tracks ("The End", although it is not "the end") are mixed with more officious doomy cuts ("Foul Waters"). The initial slower delivery is nicely "broken" by the galloping "Fade Eyes", but the guys' staple pounding approach settles back soon after interrupted again on "The Fucker" which is the final fucker, speeding up a bit with consistent mid to up-tempo rhythms.

Vorace Full-length, 1998

My Space

VORACIOUS HATE (GERMANY)

This is retro thrash/death which is led by intense shouty death metal vocals. The guys take turns with both speedy headbangers ("Feigned Security") and melodic doom-fixated marches ("Healed Soul"), the latter side more prominently featured, overtaking the thrashy rhythms on the otherwise turbulently dramatic "Tempting Poetry". Some of the band members also played with the heavy metal outfit Encounter.

The Depth of Human Nature EP, 1996

VORACIOUS SOULS (GERMANY)

Based on the "No Way Out For You" demo, this band offer power/thrash metal akin to other German metal acts from around the same time: Tyrant, early Accuser, Risk. The music varies being straight-forward and speedy at times, but it also moves towards a more technical territory, and some of the guitar lines are really original; but they're not that many to make this music really standout. This is stuff we have all heard many times before and after, and after a well spent headbanging time, there's not a big chance one will remember much of it.

Captured EP, 1987
No Way Out For You Demo, 1988
Fear Demo, 1990

VORACITY (SWITZERLAND)

Very good heavy thrash reminiscent of Evildead's "The Underworld" and Exhorder's "The Law", so apart from classic riffs, there are modern ones as well. The tempo is quite energetic despite the abundant presence of crushing stomping guitars, and the singer is quite good with his gruff, but effective voice recalling both Phil Rind (Sacred Reich) and Kyle Thomas (Exhorder).

Manipulation EP, 2002

Official Site

VORATOR (USA)

A new act who try to break the speed of light in a manner similar to early Sadus, Incubus and Gammacide. This is fairly intense thrash/death with ferocious semi-shouty death metal vocals which will delight the listener with its relentless "bombardment" with blitzkriegers, like "Streets of Dusseldorf" and the death metal madness "Aerial Bombardment". "Respiratory Failure" is a delightful turn to more technical performance, still played ultra-fast recalling the Dutch Expulsion; all the way to the excellent closer "The Siege": 8-min of stylish speedy brutalisms with a few more quiet sections thrown in. This is very good stuff which should please thrash and death metal fans alike.

Extermination March Full-Length, 2015

Official Site

VORAX (ARGENTINA)

Based on "La Oscuridad", this act plays happy power/speed metal for most of the time assisted by edgier thrash metal sections. The music shifts from heavy proto-modern numbers to pure classic speedsters, but at least half of the songs are mid-paced with sharp crunchy riffs and cool epic overtones. The singer tries hard, but his gruff mid-ranged clean tone sounds strained and unemotional. "Requiem" is a nice semi-ballad with good melodic leads, much superior to the other exploration of this style: the romantic acoustic closer "Casi Un Himno".

Por Sentimiento Pesado Full-length, 2000
La Oscuridad Full-length, 2005

Official Site

VORBID (NORWAY)

The EP: these are four tracks of intense retro thrash which clings more towards the progressive side due to the elongated compositions and one should have no problems falling in love with carefully plotted cuts like the melodic shredder "Crimson Crown" also graced by a nice balladic exit; or the dramatic mid-pacer "Desert Of The Wicked" which beats everything with its virtuoso leads. The band clearly focus on the melody more leaving the speed behind, but still this is a promising beginning which also wins from the very good clean high-strung vocals.
The full-length proceeds with the more entangled delivery which reaches a culmination on the 24-min closing title-track, an encompassing conglomerate of interesting musical decisions among which the enchanting melodic walkabouts are particularly captivating although the lack of any speedy escapades kind of pulls this gigantic composition down. Before it one will come across four other cuts "To Mega Therion" being an effective bumpy thrasher with with curious technical twists and turns, and "Invention Intervention" being a stylish headbanger with great melodic leads and a nice atmospheric balladic interlude.
"A Swan by the Edge of Mandala" is another admirable entangled achievement, the band's finest hour, the opening "Ecotone" a supreme prog-thrasher, equal parts Vektor and Mekong Delta, the creepy melodic "Union" a more downbeat occurrence, with suggestive balladic accumulations, the latter occupying a certain portion of the 10.5-min maze "Ex Ante", a standout creepy saga without too many fast-paced touches. More hard-hitting but still fairly twisted thrashing arrives with the title-track, a dramatic nervy exposition with dramatic melodic rhythms also roaming around, the dystopian futuristic expletives on "Paradigm" more on the suggestive atmospheric side. "Swansong" is a short spastic all-instrumental shredder with an enchanting melodic epitaph, and "Derealization" carries on with the enchantment with swathes of arresting Oriental motifs which intercept the lofty steely rifforamas at every opportunity, the lead guitarist stealing everyone's heart and soul with s short virtuoso tractate. "Self" closes this excellent showdown with 11.5-min of classical structures and relatively peaceful minimalistic rhythms, with clean vocals appearing to increase the poignancy on this more expansive progressive metal experience, the missing thrashy aggression from the preceding material not detrimental at all.

Vorbid EP, 2016
Mind Full-length, 2018
A Swan by the Edge of Mandala Full-length, 2022

Facebook

VORGOK (BRAZIL)

The former Explicit Hate guitar player Edu Lopez is in charge here, and he and his other comrade (there's only one other guy involved) offer intense classic thrash in the vein of Devastation's "Idolatry" and early Slayer. Some twisted technicality springs up on the short exploder "Hunger", but the band just bash with no mercy whatsoever the only rest encountered on the pleasant acoustic instrumental "Drowning" near the end. The vocals are shouty semi-clean ones and take care of business without scaring the neighbourhood unnecessarily.

Assorted Evils Full-Length, 2016

Facebook

VORIAN (SINGAPORE)

These youngsters from the Far East pull out cool modern melodic thrash/proto-death which is fast and relentless for most of the time also coming with a cool technical edge at times, topped by barely audible guttural death metal vocals. This is really good stuff which manages to capture the manic complexity of their compatriots Sanity Obscure even (check out the hectic chopper "Bend Break Bleed"). "A Deflagration Of Wings" is the more direct reliever with an overt crossover edge, and the final "D.U.C.K." is a not very good funk/bubblegum joke which ruins the good impression further with a bad hardcore exit. Apparently this is still a jam session, but the band clearly have a vision if they manage to leave those non-metal distractions aside which shouldn't be a problem.

Autocracy EP, 2012

VORKUTA (ARGENTINA)

This is retro thrash/crossover with speed metal tendencies, characterized by short (1.5-2min) tracks with catchy sing-along choruses; energetic uplifting stuff with expressive clean, albeit a bit thin, vocals. The guys thrash with no remorse despite the melodic guitar edge and the slightly muddy sound quality.

Ser O No Ser Aniquilados Full-Length, 2011

VORNTH (SWEDEN)

Based on the full-length debut, this act serve fast blitzkrieg thrash/proto-death which borrows directly from the early Kreator heritage by spicing the proceedings with a more venomous spitting approach ala Impaled Nazarene (check out the maddening speedster "Evil Blood" for both influences). The speedy roller-coaster seldom pauses for a break although there are slower passages on some songs. Pieces ike "Darkness and Steel" and "Metal Skies" will shatter your fillings, but watch out for the cool tender ballad "Bleed" which is an unexpected, but worthy song. Towards the end the band try something more complex with a string of longer compositions among which "Grave of the Living" is a cool epic power/doomster.

"Black Pyres" is the next in line roller-coaster dedicated to the German thrash metal brotherhood with echoes of early Deathrow, Kreator again, and the Exumer debut. Soaring epic melodies "decorate" the scenery on "Victims in March" and "Evil Woven in Spirit" which are inspired speedsters their genuine vigour sunk in the 8.5-min balladic doomster "Grave of the Living" which would be a big surprise for the headbangers. It's business as usual after this gigantic rest the guys thrashing like demented all the way to the end almost reaching the speed of light on the maddening "Traveller of the Dark".
"Luci Ferox" is another fairly intense, also pretty cool affair, the speed/thrashing fury of numbers like the title-track and "Black Blade of Eternity", the pounding threats on "December Fire" only a deceitful respite as quite a bit of venom and bile can be extracted from them as well. The delivery acquires elegiac doom proportions on "Feeding The Infant Cannibals", a sprawling odyssey which stands humbled before the short delightful all-instrumental ball of fury "Lightstorm", a classical masterpiece that stands for the undisputable highlight here… the speed of the mentioned light reached on the brief sweeping proto-death rager "Hang Them High"; and partly on the excellent Helloween-esque closer "Horns of the Night".

Darkness and Steel EP, 2009
Vornth Full-length, 2013
Black Pyres Full-Length, 2016
Luci Ferox Full-Length, 2021

Facebook

VOROKH (RUSSIA)

Acceptable classic power/speed/thrash emitted by these Russian troubadours, who make themselves heard with both energetic breezers ("StenkanaStenku") and milder balladic idylls ("GriaznaiaLubov"). "IadZmeia" is a nice ripping semi-technicaller, and the title-track is a cool speed metal hymn, the not very expressive clean mid-ranged vocals sometimes racing with the dynamic musical background.

Vorokh Full-Length, 2022

Facebook

VORTECH (FINLAND)

Excellent thrash/death metal with industrial elements; the music isn't too far from the industrial masters Skrew, at least on half of the songs. "The Institution" starts in a way very similar to the first two Skrew albums: with crushing up-tempo riffage and harsh, semi-whispered vocals; the twist comes in the form of a faster-paced section, recalling the experimentalists The Kovenant. "Terra Ultimatum" is awesome industrial thrash with an aggressive Fear Factory-like passage thrown in. "Crescent Moon" has shades of Dimmu Borgir-like black metal in the beginning, before settling down for the smashing thrashy guitars. "Mind Awakening" is a nice technical thrash/deathster, combining abstract sections in the Coroner ("Grin") vein with brutal death metal ones. "Apoapsis Mentis" is an ambient industrial instrumental, but is quite cool: "a calm before the storm", the storm coming in the form of the brutal industrial death metal number "Judgement of the Amenti". Another "storm-calm" combination comes later: the cool technical death/thrasher "Sycophant Gods", which plays the role of the storm, and the pure electro-industrial closer "End Game", which is... well...

"Wasteland" gives preference to death metal and industrial, and consequently leaves thrash behind for most of the time. Still, it is not completely lost, and nice technical thrashy pieces, like "Instigate Hostile Reaction", or the raging death/thrasher "Impulse" are here to save the day for the thrash metal fan. But it won't be for long, since the rest has no ties to thrash, and the final result sounds like a mix of early The Kovenant, The Project Hate and Bal-Sagoth, all this mixed on a strong industrial base.

"Deep Beneath" brings back the more technical edge of the debut which was considerably lost on "Wasteland", but alas, thrash metal isn't given much space again. The music is even more strongly industrialized and gothic shades have sneaked through. Nevertheless, it is a fairly good slab of industrial death metal, and more thrashing numbers, like the nice up-tempo "Retribution" and the closing "So They Rise" sound more like occasional throw-ins rather than intentional inclusions.

"Posthumanism" is pretty much in the same vein as its predecessor having very few ties to thrash (but you must check the ultra-extreme thrasher "Humanity: Static", and the furious head-spinning death/thrash closer "Shedding the Flesh"), concentrating instead on apocalyptic industrial death metal at times leaning towards cyber post-black ala The Kovenant's "Animatronic". This is actually quite an enjoyable effort for fans of the modern trends, and not many are the acts nowadays who could bring all extreme metal styles in one album without sounding awkward or overdone; good futuristic extreme metal for the new, and why not next, millennium.

"Devoid of Life" is the next in line larger-than-life affair in the band's catalogue this time smelling more thrash despite the frequent blasts and the orchestral background. Mid-period The Kovenant remain the main influence, or inspiration if you like, but there is plenty of aggression to be encountered here: the intense thrash/deathster "Demon In the Circuitry", the soaring speedster "Unveiling the Future". "The Apocalypse" is an effective doom sleeper which kind of sets the scene for the closing "Grains of Reality" which is a nice quiet operatic/ambient all-instrumental composition. Those two kind of compensate for the exhausting blasting heard on at least half of the tracks.

"The Occlusion" is a harder offering, a full-blooded industrial thrash/post-thrash affair with plenty of razor-sharp riffs, but also with deep dark overtones not far from the gothic movement. At times industrial rules the pack ("The Origin"), at others thrash takes over ("Forgotten World"), but most of the material falls somewhere between Front Line Assembly's "Hard Wired" and KMFDM. "Flatlined" is a very good operatic ballad with a participation of female vocals, but the doom-infused dirge on "Confined" will drown everyone despite the cool electronic implements incorporated. This is feelgood edgy music which has both a dance potential (check out the dance floor winner "Legacy System") and vigorous headbanging moments.

Extinct EP, 2004
Asphyxiation EP, 2005
Conclusion Full-length, 2006
Wasteland Full-Length, 2007
Deep Beneath Full-Length, 2008
Posthumanism Full-Length, 2009
Devoid of Life Full-length, 2012
The Occlusion Full-Length, 2014

My Space

VORTEX (BULGARIA)

This obscure Bulgarian formation indulge in quite stylish, multi-layered thrash/post-thrash/death which belongs to the modern school of thought, but more often than not it breaks the mould with thinking outside-the-box leading to choppy staccato riffs, abrupt time shifts, twisted Coroner-esque configurations, and poignant lyrical escapades. The gruff deathly semi-shouty vocals are the only cause for complaint the cleaner inclusions way better whenever they appear. Labyrinthine hectic exercises like "Psycho" and "Burning Beliefs" are easily the cream of the cake here, compensating for the relatively linear sobriety of the balladic "I Remember". "The Edge" comes as a more aggressive and more crooked Tool, and "Spreading the Hate" is a short head-spinner that would have qualified for Machine Head's "Burn My Eyes" any time.

Deeper Beyond Demo, 2004

My Space

VORTEX (CROATIA)

Yes, "thrash is alive" in Croatia, in case of anyone has doubts about it, and these guys are the living proof of it with their nice brand of brisk retro speed/thrash which mixes sharp hard with more melodic riffs. The songs are either fast-paced headbangers, or more laid-back pounders as priority is given to the former which in the middle take a really furious turn: the explosive trio "Bonebreaker", "No Way Out", and the very aptly-titled "Thrash Holocaust", the latter a Destruction-like spinning roller-coaster. The pressure gets higher with another thrash attack: "Running Killing" which makes the closing power/thrasher "Arise on the Streets" a pretty mild affair. Still, there will be few disappointed with this sincere slab of full-fledged retro thrash metal well supported by semi-clean, slightly hoarse, vocals.

Thrash is Alive Full-Length, 2010

VORTEX CORE (BELGIUM)

Based on the "Deep in the Core" demo, this outfit indulge in intense modern quasi-groovy 90's thrash/post-thrash which cataclysmic qualities are further enhanced by the brutal death metal vocals and the pounding bass bottom. "Stages" is a cool more intricate proposition with spacey motifs and galloping developments recalling Sepultura's "Chaos AD", before the Black Sabbath cover of "Symptom of the Universe" hits, a generally faithfully executed cover marred a bit by the dominant sloppy sound quality. "Brainwashed" starts with a fabulous virtuoso lead segment, the rest coming close to the early Death repertoire, a sudden change of scenery which finds its groovy stride later, "Igrejamah" closing the proceedings in a vitriolic retro fashion with wild headbanging riffs and a couple of heavy stomping accumulations. At present the band operate as just Vortex, the style a more classic-prone power/thrash mixture.

Deep in the Core Demo, 1995
Consciousness Demo, 1996
Sudden Impact Demo, 1999

VORTEX CORE (PORTUGAL)

Based on the demo, these lads serve three songs of a pretty decent modern/classic thrash/post-thrash amalgam which at least on "Igrejahmanah" is full of vigour and seeping aggression, but "Emotional Form" is an exercise in thick moshing grooves, those again intercepted by a gust of less bridled rhythmic decisions. "Mental Vortex" is a cool attempt at a more technical song-writing with echoes of the Bay-Area (mid-period Metallica, above all), the rough semi-deathly singer scaring away the unprepared with his bellicose threatening tirades.

Consciousness Demo, 1996
Go Away EP, 2004

Downloads

VORTEX OF BONES (CHILE)

This outfit specialize in brisk speedy retro thrash which rages on with little fuss stirred, the blitzkrieg approach epitomized on "Into the Vortex" and "Killer Instinct" the leading component here, with some proto-death inevitably materializing out of the sizzling furnace, boosted by the venomous shouty death metal singer. "Terror 731" is a choppier more intricate proposition, and "Hidden Instinct of the Mind" relies on a more epic, less frantic layout as a requisite digression.

Hidden Instinct of the Mind Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VORTEX OF CLUTTER (TURKEY)

Based on "Source of Sickness", this act plays atmospheric thrash/death metal which starts with a cool lead-driven intro, before the stomping heaviness of the opening "The Land Without Sunshine" overtakes you. The melodic tunes increase later on with the mid- paced base preserved all over to produce decent gothic-tinged stuff with a touch of melancholy. The idyll will be rudely broken with "Conscientious Objection" which is a raging thrasher in the first half with several blasting sections present. But that's it from the more aggressive side since afterwards the sound acquires more sleepy dimensions which never leave till the end. The singer is a brutal low-tuner, but his guttural inclusions are comprehensive and unobtrusive.

The "The Ghosts of a New Generation" EP is an elegant affair with melody, aggression and a pinch of technicality mixed well together to a pretty positive effect. The guys thrash with gusto seldom letting things out of their control (the wild blasting on "Cocktail", which is an otherwise cool technical/progressive piece). The compositions are longer with a few more thought-out arrangements that are accentuated by the cool melodic tunes (the title-track). The mid-tempo moments now are just an addition to the much more energetic approach.
"Eclipse of Reason Beyond Time" is a modern melo-thrash/death offering which contains both melody (quite reminiscent of Carcass' "Heartwork" at times) and aggression, including a tad of technicality. All ingredients are blended well, but there's hardly anything that one would die to hear here since the formula has been explored far and wide through the years barely leaving room for any display of originality. The guys are professional musicians and all, but this is just too generic to catch even the less trained ears.
"A Praise to Extinction" focuses on more carefully-crafted, also more melodic, compositions, and the opening "Emancipate Violence" immediately reflects this decision with a wide gamut of moods covered including a few atmospheric epic/black metal-ish gimmicks. This all comes for the sake of the speedy skirmishes from the past, though, as there's barely a more aggressive motif to be come across excluding the isolated blasting attempts on "Dirt", and the intriguing dissonant build-ups on the semi-technical shredder "Inns of Evil".

Everlasting Journey EP, 2009
Source of Sickness Full-length, 2011
The Ghosts of a New Generation EP, 2012
Eclipse of Reason Beyond Time Full-Length, 2014
A Praise to Extinction Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VORTEX OF INSANITY (USA)

A power/thrash metal band founded by two members of Indestroy; the style isn't a direct follow-up to their old formation, since it's more modern, slower and much less impressive. The beginning is quite promising, though: the energetic semi-technical thrasher "The End Is Nigh" and the heavy mid-paced "Social Decay" which set the tone for what would follow. "What You Get" is more modern-sounding with an alternative edge. "Immoral Standing" brings back the more aggressive riffage, but after that things go down quickly with a lot of groove introduced and slower, less imaginative, samey dragging numbers that would hardly make the listener give this below average work another spin. Obviously confused, and not very happy with what they had "cooked" here, the guys put an end to this formation soon after.

Social Decay Full-length, 1994

VORTICE (SPAIN)

The debut: groovy post-thrash with cool sharp guitar riffs, but the pace is pretty much the same, a bit choppy, slow-ish although some maybe unintentional surreal moments strangely remind of the very cool one-album project Blood From The Soul ("To Spite The Gland That Bleeds"), and even early Treponem Pal. The singer isn't the most pleasant semi-hardcore/semi-death metal shouter.

"Zombie" is very close in both spirit and execution to the debut being jumpy heavy post-thrash which despite its repetitive nature isn't bad sounding, hypnotic and monolithic most of the time now even more reminding of Blood from the Soul. It even speeds up occasionally to up-tempo, but it's the pounding hectic groovy riffage which makes this effort a more engaging listen.

Human Engine Full-length, 2008
Zombie Full-length, 2010

Official Site

VOX INTERIUM (POLAND)

Based on "Yearning", this band indulge in modern thrash/death which is nothing special comprising unimaginative heavy rhythms which only takes off when the guys get "possessed" by fuller-fledged death metal ("Creators of Rules") and start shredding with more force. The brutal low-tuned death metal vocals dominate the proceedings the man's commanding performance seldom clouded by the more clever technically-executed tracks ("Deadly Injection"). Near the end the connoisseurs will recognize Gorefest's "Reality When You Die" from the Dutch's magnum opus "False" done faithfully if we exclude the annoyingly modern boost given to all the instruments on this particular track. The actual end is a cool peaceful lead-driven instrumental ("Into the Heart") which reveals another quite lyrical, not encountered previously, side of the band.

Zymosis of Souls Full-length, 2001
X-Nine Full-length, 2004
Yearning Full-length, 2004

VOX MORTEM (BRAZIL)

A pretty decent debut of retro speed/thrash metal mixing the more intense Bay-Area sound of "Eternal Nightmare" and "The Ultraviolence" with Slayer on the shorter material, with more controlled power/speed/thrash metal on the longer one. This longer material varies quite a bit, from doom-laden numbers ("False Redemption") to more clever, semi-technical exercises ("Veias Abertas"), to sheer speed metal joys ("The Worst Creature") with a strong 90's spirit. The closer is by far the highlight: "Do Principio ao Caos", excellent raging speed/thrash in the best tradition of Rigor Mortis and the Finns Solitaire.
"Slaves of Vanity" is another commendable effort the band thrashing with confidence, the opening title-track setting the tone for this entertaining roller-coaster which boasts other toxic blitzkriegers like the proto-death rager "Toxic Possession" and "Out of Order, into the Chaos". "Broadcast Insanity" is a more flexible mid-tempo pounder, but stopovers of the kind can't simply be too many on this uplifting, faithful tribute to the good old thrash.

The Worst Creature Full-length, 2008
Endless Karma EP, 2014
Slaves of Vanity Full-length, 2017

Official Site

VOX POPULI (COLOMBIA)

The debut: this is classic power/speed/thrash which is marred by a not very good sound quality and a fuzzy guitar reverberation. Otherwise the lads try hard unleashing their vigour on "Instrumetal" and the epic speedster "Despertar". There isn't much thrash to be heard though, the guys mostly courting the power/speed metal movement of the 90's with soaring melodies aplenty and good mid-ranged vocals which try the higher registers at times, but without risking it too much.
"Sublevacion" is a more aggressive offering, the restless "Legiones" and the short speedy "Metal y Libertad" stirring the moshpits in no time, whereas "Opresor" provides a more laid-back progressive approach alongside the frolic early-Metallica speedoramas offered on "Patria Boba". Thecloser El Ocaso De La Guerra" is an ambitious 8-min all-instrumental odyssey with a slightly overlong lyrical interlude, showing the guys in a more restrained but equally convincing thought-out mode.

Libertad Full-Length, 2015
Sublevacion Full-length, 2023

Official Site

VOXHUMANA (USA)

Based on the 2-song self-titled demo, these folks specialize in quite cool tech-thrash of the old school, the pounding gravity of "Subhumanity" also served with more volatile decisions and tight intricate shreds, with both the bass and the leads strong potent presences, the shouty hardcore singer arguably the weakest link, his angry antics not marring the serious multi-layered character of "Purity in Vain", a nice meandering delight with labyrinthine decisions galore amongst the visionary lead inclusions and the steel sharp, fairly abstract as well, rifforamas.

Voxhumana Demo, 1991
Industry Sampler Demo, 1992

Official Site

VOYAGE OF SLAVES (USA)

Based on the demo, this formation provide the good old speed/thrash mixed with harsh guttural death metal vocals. The leads are particularly striking taking quite a bit of space to a positive effect splitting the intense roller-coaster riffage. The approach isn't very aggressive despite the fast pace, and the guitars come with a cool melodic edge serving the odd slower section (the closing stomper "Blood on the Blade") whenever needed.

Demo Demo, 2009
Victorious EP, 2012

Official Site

VOYER (GREECE)

This obscure Greek trio play roughly-produced old school thrash with both fast lashing ("Limitation") and heavy stomping ("No Mercy") moments, the gruff hardcore vocalist somewhat fitting the not very attractive musical canvas, the latter also comprising the dark Celtic Frost-esque "All Souls Day" and the diverse near-8-min quasi-progressive odyssey "Lowness Ahead Faith".

Falsification of Brain Demo, 1991

Youtube

VRAWSCHE (USA)

This is the brainchild of just one man, Brian Canzanella, and he acquits himself with an intense mixture of black and thrash which "bears" long complex compositions where blast-beats marry more moderate thrashy rhythms plus the obligatory atmospheric sweeps, the latter recalling mid-period Katatonia. Progressive heights are reached on the relatively short "Entombed Existence", and the following "Osatan" picks up the hint with a bigger focus on the more clever riffs resulting in a better ending than expected which also draws a more promising future. Canzanella sings in a subdued death metal-ish fashion similar to a higher-pitched whispering.

Entrance Full-Length, 2013

Official Site

VREDE (ARGENTINA)

Groovy 90's post-thrash with a hardcore edge; the music is quite jumpy and choppy but this is nothing technical. It's not bad at all, and fans of the modern trends will definitely like this, especially those who like mid-period Prong (1989-1991) and Helmet; it even speeds up quite a bit here and there: "El Fluido", which comes with aggressive death metal riffage. The closer is a sprawling, industrial doomy opus ("Lo Unico Que Tengo") which is monotonous, and maybe overstretched, and would even appeal to fans of Godflesh.

Raiz Full-Length, 1995

VRIESS (FRANCE)

This is modern thrash/death, produced by just two musicians, which for the most part is semi-stylish but not very controlled bash ("Chapter II: The Curse"), the brutal death metal accumulations on "Chapter III: The Reality" not doing much to elevate this effort to a higher pedestal, the very shouty hysterical vocals another relative annoyance, including the corey stomps on "Chapter V: The Father".

Vriess EP, 2021

Facebook

VROMIKOS TAFOS (GREECE)

Based on "Epicoura": a brilliant melodic intro opens this uplifting thrash/crossover roller-coaster which is slightly marred by the noisy guitar sound. Otherwise the band thrash with gusto and plenty of melody shifting the pace whenever they feel like it. There's a lot of optimism emanating from this recording: just check primal rousers like "Kafrilissa" and the prairie gallopers "To Ati Tou Polemou" and "Odh Ston Polemoxarh" with those infectious melodies and cool sing-along choruses. "O Varvaros" is a pure speed metal delight taken directly form the early-1990's, predating the epic mid-pacer "O Polemarxos" and the short blitzkriger "Opoios Pethanei Pethane". Even the gruff semi-shouty vocalist can't be a detraction from this cool old school fun which provides plenty of memorable moments for the fan to hum and sing to.

Vromikos Tafos Full-length, 2013
Epicoura Full-length, 2015

Official Site

VTA (ITALY)

Based on the demo, these Italians (aka Vesuvian Thrash Attack) offer wicked misanthropic black/thrash metal which crosses early Bathory with early Sodom to a not very negative effect. The dominant fast pace is broken by semi-doom/epic numbers ("Total Hell") which work well among the raging rest (check out the excellent Destruction worship "Nuclear Devastation" which riffs will remind you of the Germans' immortal "Curse the Gods").

Vesuvian Thrashing Attack Demo, 2005
Archdukes of Hell Vol. 1 Split, 2006

Official Site

VULCAN (USA)

This is modern thrash assisted by intense shouty death metal vocals; the music hesitates between stomping mid-tempo pieces ("Momento Mori") and speedy semi-technical skirmishes ("Set It Loose... and Wait") the alternation between these two sides going on a nearly song-by-song basis. The more varied character of "Acrimonious Empathy" and especially the technical roller-coaster "Chained to My Cycle" make the situation more interesting, but overall the musicians don't break the set standards too often here.

Forged Full-length, 2019

Official Site

VULCAN TYRANT (HOLLAND)

This Dutch duo serve raucous but lively old school speed/thrash which comes graced by hellish cavernous death metal vocals. Music-wise the album develops in the same fast-paced mode, short ripping numbers performed in a simplistic hyper-active fashion, with an overt punk/hardcore attitude ("Pagan Ways") added to them, "Medal of Honor" and "Your Eyes And Ears Will Bleed" keeping the speedy rhythms flowing, the sole exception from the established norm being the mid-tempo march "Work of the Devil", a corrosive sinister proposition.

Vulcanocide Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VULCANO (BRAZIL)

A cult Brazilian metal band, Vulcano lay the foundations of the more extreme side of the South American metal movement along with Sepultura and Sarcofago. Their vicious brutal black/thrash metal has been an influence on hundreds of bands. "Bloody Vengeance" was released the same year when Sepultura's "Morbid Visions" came out predating Sarcofago's "I.N.R.I." with one year, and is a brutal merciless exercise in thrash/proto-death which despite the sloppy production and sound quality will overwhelm the listener with its open extreme super-fast approach which is only abandoned on the much slower, but cool doom/black metal closer "Bloody Vengeance".
The band were not willing to lose the inertia, and "Anthropophagy" came less than a year later. In terms of production and sound not much has been improved, but the guitars come with both more edge and melody, although the music again is seldom more than a non-stop fast bashing, sometimes "painted" by a more stylish slower inclusion. "Fallen Angels" tries to sound similar to "Bloody Vengeance", but abandons the sinister black metal overtones, and ends up sounding like a traditional doom opus ala Saint Vitus, totally out-of-context. No more mistakes of the kind till the end, as the music gets back to the aggressive speedy patterns, with "Megathrash" going beyond what its title promises, moshing out like full-blooded death metal, influencing the vicious grinding closer "Upright".

I don't know "Who Are The True", but it's definitely not Vulcano. With their third release the guys have decreased the speed and aggression to an extent that often do they sound like an entirely different band. Even if you manage to overcome your initial shock, you would hardly find anything to like from this mild unimpressive thrash/crossover offering which at times loses the little edge it has and goes straight into punk/hardcore ("Fuck Them", "Do You Remember"), or a blatant heavy/power metal territory ("Flies Around The Shit"). The only proper hit is done with "Witche's Sabbath" which is a remake of one of their early songs, and is a cool speed/thrasher in the Whiplash debut spirit. The first flop the Brazilian thrash metal scene ever produced, this effort could very deservedly be called the "South American "Cold Lake"" seeing Vulcano losing their position on the front row of Brazilian metal.
Inevitably having realized their mistake, the band were quick to try to restore some faith with "Ratrace", and they do a job no worse than the one done by Celtic Frost on "Vanity/Nemesis". Now the music is way more intense, and some of the early aggression has been partially captured although it is not the focus here. The final result is good up-tempo to faster thrash, with the tempos often changing within one song. Some dry technical edge goes through the album, distantly recalling their compatriots Holocausto same year's "Negatives", although here the technical tendencies never develop into a whole song. Ther'is a lot of energy involved, especially in the second half where some numbers are more than just reminders of the band's not very distant past: the explosive "Time to Change", the furious speed/thrashfests "The Lungs Of The Earth" and "Just A Matter Of Time". Having failed to arouse the necessary amount of interest in the fanbase, who by that time had already embraced their new idols, the band saw no reason to continue their career, and split-up soon afterwards.

The thrash metal resurrection wave didn't leave the guys indifferent, and here they come with "Tales From The Black Book" which shows that the band haven't lost their penchant for raw and aggressive music. To talk about a return to the very roots would be a kind of an overstatement as this recording sounds like a mix of their last full-length "Ratrace" and the less intense material from their first two efforts. Still, there is no speed lost, as most of the tracks are heads-down fast thrashers, seldom acquiring extreme proto-death tendencies ("Face of the Terror", "Troubled Mind"). The only slower deviations are the last 3 songs where the guys have apparently gotten tired thrashing with force: the epic thrash piece "The Sign Carved on the Door"; the awkward power/speed metal number "Obscure Soldiers"; and the heavy doom closer "Bestial Insane".

"Five Skulls and One Chalice": the seismic Brazilians are back after a lengthy 5-year pause which shouldn't be a surprise having in mind the numerous other projects in which the band members are involved: the death/grind "monsters" Hierarchical Punishment; Chaosmaster, a mix of classic heavy metal and black similar to Bewitched; the death metal outfit Chemical Disaster; among others. The lads are in fine form, though, thrashing their souls out reaching proto-death heights early with the explosive "Hide Your Hate", and later carrying on in a brisk headbanging fashion: the mellower speed/thrasher "The Harvest", the more intense Slayer-esque "Holocaust (The Second Assault)". The title-track is a nice blend of fast and slower galloping riffs with a shade of speed/power metal. Later on there is another exercise in a death-laced thrash attack: "The Seventh Seal" which leaves its mark on the following four numbers which are intense pieces of old school thrash metal, the closer "Legioes Satanicas" being a cool nod to the early German scene (Kreator, Destruction). If the previous album was an up-and-down affair trying to cover as much ground as possible, this one pulls no punches with its uncompromising much tighter approach. The only practitioners, who remained true to the thrash metal faith, and still operating from the team which started it all back in the mid-80's from Brazil, Vulcano should remind of themselves on more regular terms.

The band's presence on the scene is becoming more regular (so our prayers were asnwered! Yeaaaah!), and fortunately not for the sake of the quality: "Drowning in Blood" is a pure headbanging old school thrash attack from beginning to end which holds onto tight fast riffage with the odd pinch of hardcore ("Prison in the Hexagon"). Tracks like "100 & 50" & "Zodiac Attack" are thrashing "grinding machines" as well as almost every other track with only "Chapel on Fire" breaking the border of the good behaviour with less controlled blasting passages. "Anything at least a bit slower?", I hear some of you ask; well, yes, there's one relieving cut: "Infamous Poet" which is pure traditional 80's doom with balladic overtones disrupting the thrashing "peace" which gets restored on the closing "The Evil Always Returns", an aggressive proto-death metal-laced number. The guitar sound could be an annoyance, the only one, though, coming with a strong abrasive edge which is a "testimony" for the time of release since it gives the album a certain modern colouring.

"The Man, The Key, and The Beast" come together for the creation of another chapter of the band's now voluminous discography. Expect no remorse the guys intent on spraining as many necks as possible till the end of this old school roller-coaster. Intense fast thrash is the order of the day from the get-go served at times with a more relaxed crossover feel ("Church At A Crossroad") as an antidote to the main no-bars-held delivery ala Slayer encountered on the rest. The title-track is a pounding mid-pacer, but its relatively laid-back nature is well compensated by the proto-death rager "Dead Water" after it which sets the tone for an ensuing "carnage" where death metal reigns supreme for a while ("The Wizard"). The exiting trio of cuts brings back the more controlled Slayer-esque approach making this offering the most aggressive album the guys have produced ever since their reunion. It's probably a bit sad that their old comrades/compatriots from the riotous 80's are not around to provide a worthy competition...

"Wholly Wicked": the "vulcanic" Brazilians are back in action, and they threaten to turn into one of the most prolific veterans since the reunion vogue started. Expect no remorse from them all the way the band thrashing with force the guitars coming with an overboosted edge which may be annoying at times due to its reverberating nature. Things get nasty on "Daughters of Pagan Rituals" which includes a few brutal blast-beating passages, and later on lightning speedsters ("The Return of a Long Night") will cross your way some coming with a pinch of hardcore ("Tormented"). More blasts, of the spacey surreal type this time, arrive with "Malevolent Mind" which leaves the relieves for the closing "Blowing Death" the latter calming things a bit with a portion of heavy mid-tempo riffs. Another job well done; next chapter, please...
"XIV": expect no surprises here as the Brazilian "vulcanos" march forward remorselessly, thrashing far'n wide with very few stops along the way. The no-bars-held delivery inevitably reaches death metal proportions ("Necrophagy"), but the purer thrashers ("Paradise On Holocaust") seem to work the better including the more relaxed speed metal closer "I'm Back Again".
"Eye in Hell" thrashes hard with passion, but you can't expect anything less from the Brazilian veteranos who this time offer a few respiteful mid-pacers ("Cursed Babylon") alongside the prototypical proto-death outrages ("Struggling Besides Satan", "Sinister Road"), the quirky technicality offered on "Sirens of Destruction" something new, and desirable on all counts as it draws less trodden trajectories the latter replaced by heavy doom-laden soundscapes on the closing title-track.
"Stone Orange" is decidedly a more aggressive recording than the band's last few, starting with the openly deathly brutalizer "Metal Seeds", the violence even becoming bigger on the short proto-blaster "Putrid Angels Ritual" and the virulent death/thrashing fury "Keep Mind". A couple of more relaxed thrash/crossover cuts ("Tear Gas", the title-track) try to retain some equilibrium, but there's nothing stopping the epic semi-intricacy of "Trigger of Violence", or the hyper-active crescendos on the restless "Night Terror with Satan". "Rebels from 80s" is a light-hearted rock-ish deviation, but make no mistake with the closing "Witches Don't Lie", heads-down moshing thrash with a nice technical sting.
"Epilogue": not sure if this would be the band's last slab, but this epilogue is a really vicious piece of retro thrash/death which can even pass for the guys' most brutal offering since the reformation. "The Wizard" is a most ferocious wizard, backed up the pure death madness "At the Dawn (Live)" and the grinding explosion "The Mirror". The more moderate death/thrasher "The Book" restores some semblance of normalcy, the latter kept in check by the galloping delight "The Clock Time", the highlight here, the short "The Renegade" another less bridled detonator, the closing title-track being a most academic earth-shaking epilogue to one of the most extreme recordings to come out of South America for quite some time.

Bloody Vengeance Full-length, 1986
Anthropophagy Full-length, 1987
Who Are The True? Full-length, 1988
Ratrace Full-length, 1990
Tales From the Black Book Full-length, 2004
Five Skulls and One Chalice Full-length, 2009
Drowning in Blood Full-length, 2011
The Man The Key The Beast Full-Length, 2013
Wholly Wicked Full-Length, 2014
XIV Full-Length, 2016
Eye in Hell Full-length, 2020
Stone Orange Full-length, 2022
Epilogue Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VULCANOR (ARGENTINA)

Based on "Corrosiva Decadencia", these folks specialize in classic speed/proto-thrash which is also graced by the odd epic power metal tune ("Comiendo de la Basur"), the Motorhead-ish boogie unleashed on "Noches en el Aire" the leitmotif here, with hardcore-ish outtakes ("Hora Oscura") mixing with speed metal for a dynamic melee at the end. The vocals are harsh hardcore ones, containing a tad of melody on the mellower material. Some of the musicians are also active with the heavy/black metal hybriders Bonehammer.

Jauría de lobos EP, 2011
Maldita Pudrición Full-length, 2013
Sueno Devastado EP, 2014
Bancando el Ideal EP, 2017
Corrosiva Decadencia Full-length, 2022

Official Site

VULGAR ADDICTION (MEXICO)

Based on the full-length, these guys pull out rough inspired old school speed/thrash which main flaw are the unsuitable low-tuned death metal vocals. The band know their craft and manage to release a few really aggressive tracks including the nice technical "666", a not very predictable piece with jumpy rhythms; the proto-death metal rager "Te Vas a La Mierda (Maldito Gremlin Puto)". The second half is occupied by much longer, progressive compositions which don't surprise a lot except for the really curious puzzling modern quasi-industrial opus "Bul-Gore"; and probably the closing cover version of Black Sabbath's "Wheels of Confusion" done in an intriguing semi-progressive fashion.
“Figures in Black” is a decidedly more modern-sounding entry into the band’s short so far discography, the restless corrosive rhythms of “Blast-Femia” complementing the industrial shenanigans of “Loco (Tierra Seria)”, before “Primary Animal Soul” comes ravaging the environment with jumpy dry more technical riffage. The second half is replete with weird very long compositions among which “MuroInterno” is an atmospheric doom-soaked all-instrumental oddity; and “Homo Umbra” welcomes the winds of bombastic black metal for an overdone, plain awkward at times, extreme progressive blend.

Reflejo De Odio EP, 2007
Pulso Neuroviral Full-length, 2014
D-hominización Full-length, 2017
Figures in Black Full-length, 2024

Facebook

VULGAROYAL BLOODHILL (JAPAN)

Based on "Empire Of Sickness", this band play an old school thrash/death/grind hybrid that is mostly expressed through short breezy cuts some of which ("Surgery of Death") are total mid-period Carcass worship, whereas others ("Belief Suffering" are heavy twisted miasmas with openly threatening qualities. There are also a couple of playful crossover staggerings ("Selfish"), the latter not receiving the requisite support from the guttural growling vocalist. Some of the musicians are also occupied with the grindcore warriors Mecosario.

Muerteatroz Full-length, 2010
Crab Society South EP, 2018
Empire Of Sickness Full-Length, 2023

Facebook

VULGATE (UK)

Based on the full-length, this outfit play modern thrash/death with shouty death metal vocals. Nothing to lose your sleep over, pretty standard bash with a few more brutal blasting passages and some tasteful lead guitar work ("The One Who Knocks", the cool semi-technical closer "Delusions of Grandeur") which leads the parade with confidence making the lead guitarist the star of the show. Some of the band members also play in the thrash metal formation Anti-Fashion.

Unleashed EP, 2009
Vulgate EP, 2013
Waves Full-length, 2015

Official Site

VULTURE (BRAZIL)

Based on "Destructive Creation", these guys provide modern thrash/death metal which is energetic and all, but is nothing unusual on the contemporary scene, and even 10 years earlier it would have sounded pretty ordinary. The tempos change throughout creating a dynamic picture which will remind of early Dark Tranquillity, above all, except in the vocal department where the singer is a forceful low-tuned brutal growler. Soaring melodies can be caught ("No Way To Follow"), of course, and generally the sense of melody is conveyed properly; it's just that in an oversaturated scene like the one we enjoy today, this effort would hardly make any impact.

Test of Fire Full-length, 2005
Through the Eyes of Vulture Full-length, 2008
Destructive Creation Full-length, 2011

Official Site

VULTURE (GERMANY)

The debut: this is first-rate classic thrash the opening "Vendetta" bringing sweet memories of early Angel Dust, Paradox, and of course Vendetta. A good sense of melody permeates the whole album even on more immediate, shorter shredders like "Clashing Iron". The overall approach also reminds of S.D.I.'s immortal "Sigh of the Wicked" with the constantly burping bass and the wider array of time and tempo changes on diverse cuts like "Triumph of the Guillotine" and "Electric Ecstasy". "Adrian's Cradle" is a formidable speedster with brilliant sharp lashing guitars and gorgeous soaring melodies the vocalist pitching it really high here as opposed to his more restrained mid-ranged semi-recitals. "(This Night Belongs) to the Dead" increases the technicality by reducing the speed, an excellent stomping thrasher; and "Paraphiliac" gallops with the finest with faster-paced accumulations and a couple of superb melodic pirouettes. All the way to the closing "Cry for Death" which tones down the remorseless riff-fest with several mellower power metal-ish decisions excluding the speedy crescendos that are served as a finale. The band members have quite a few other projects under their belts: the black/thrashers Quintessenz, the black/speed metal hybriders Bulldozing Bastard, the thrash/crossover heroes Beer Pressure, etc.
"Ghastly Waves & Battered Graves" is mostly on the speed metal side, and as such is a tad less striking. The impetuous vigour of pieces like "Fed to Sharks" and "B.T.B. (Beyond the Blade)" will bring the spirits of early Angel Dust and Helloween whereas the anti climactic progressiveness of "The Garotte" will calm the instigated mosh, the latter also enhanced by the valiant gallops on the title-track. "Dewer's Hollow" is a somewhat misplaced power metal hymn, but there's mo pogo lost on "Tyrantula" and "Murderous Militia", heroic, also murderous, speedsters which bring the delivery to a fever-pitch point towards the end.
"Dealin' Death" brings back the more complex, also more aggressive thrashier approach from the debut, at least at the beginning, and the fans will have a field day with quirky outlandish fast-pacers like "Malicious Souls", and the Paradox-esque roller-coaster "Count Your Blessings". "Gorgon" is another more clever exercise in stomping quasi-progressive power/thrash, and "Star-Crossed City" is another meeker tribute to the power metal movement. No complaints, though, as right after arrives the energetic "Flee The Phantom" and the more thrash-fixated shredder "Dealin' Death", the final "The Court of Caligula" another tamed nod at the power metal dimensions.
“Sentinels” is another decent fast-paced fare, the band shredding with gusto and glee, the overtly aggressive “Unhallowed & Forgotten” contrasting with the streamlined power/speed metal fanfare “Realm of the Impaler” and the galloping energizer “Draw Your Blades”. More technical rhythms come pouring out of “Where There's a Whip (There Is a Way)”, but expect later semi-balladic sentimentality (“Der Tod Tragt Schwarzes Leder”), straight-forward thrashing (“Death Row”) and slow-burning epic build-ups (Gargoyles”) to befall you, the guys keeping the element of surprise for both themselves and the audience.

The Guillotine Full-length, 2017
Ghastly Waves & Battered Graves Full-length, 2019
Dealin' Death Full-length, 2021
Sentinels Full-length, 2024

Official Site

VULTURE (HOLLAND)

This is one of the very first Dutch metal bands with their demos dating back from 1984 where, of course, the style had not much to do with thrash, but is enjoyable heavy/power/speed metal. "Fatal Games" is a worthy debut drawing resemblances to Forbidden's "Forbidden Evil", among others. The guitars are actually more technical and cling towards "Twisted into Form" on quite a few times. The music is generally fast topped up by very good high-pitched vocals close to Russ Anderson (Forbidden again). "No Romance" slows down, but only a little, and comes up with the heaviest guitars on the album, a great number. "Coitus Tormentus (Hard Love)" is a brilliant technical speed/thrasher, the highlight of the whole album with smashing riffs and leads which will remind you of the first American acts who tried more technical stuff: Ulysses Siren and Have Mercy.

"Easier to Lie" is a less convincing effort; it's more modern-sounding, it's heavier, more aggressive and somewhat more technical, but in a mechanical sterile way. The songs have become longer, and some pieces have this technical late-80's Metallica vibe ("Near Death"), which actually works alright for at least half the time. Some tracks surprisingly suggest at future tendencies to come: the heavy, groovy number "Remember Me". Still several songs carry the glorious speedy spirit of the debut: "Kicked From Both Sides" which also comes with a heavier rhythm now and again. "Greater Cause" is an exercise in heavy crushing power/thrash which starts as a ballad and keeps the tempo slow throughout. The band would have made an impact on the 90's scene no worse than Pantera or Machine Head with the hard-hitting, proto-groovy sound displayed here, but they were never heard of again.

Fatal Games Full-length, 1990
Easier To Lie Full-length, 1993

VULTURE LOCUST (USA)

Two guys entertain themselves by making a truckload of noise combining thrash, death, and above all grindcore. Needless to say, to distinguish between styles and separate tracks would be quite hard and one shouldn't try to do that carried away by the sheer brutality of the music. The singer is a major screecher who commands the aggressive proceedings with a healthy amount of hysteria without which this violent amalgam can not possibly exist.

Command Presence Full-Length, 2015

Official Site

VULTURE LORD (NORWAY)

Based on the "Blasphemy" EP, these guys pull out sinister evil black/thrash with semi-whispered horrifying vocals which are quite effective on the energetic, speedy music background. Early Bathory with a more aggressive thrashier edge plus more brutal 90's black-ish parts, would be a good description; "Lord of Vice" is a cover of the Brits Deliverance, but here made in a much more aggressive, vicious manner. "The Ride Of Satan" is pure black metal madness, fast and relentless. The guys have changed quite a few monikers (Energumen, Coffin of Lament, Faun) before settling for the one here. Faun were a more black metal-fixated cohort, whereas the other two were more in the death metal camp.
"Desecration Rite" arrives after a huge hiatus, but the approach is quite comparable, vicious brutal black/thrash, more black than thrash this time, the blast-beating extremities peppering the horizon quite prominently, thrash claiming the more controlled eviler "The Vulture Lord", and the closing speed/thrashing roller-coaster "Perverting The Bible". The rest is one downpour of aggressive blasting tunes, not for the faint-of-heart.

Profane Prayer Full-length, 2003
Blasphemy EP, 2006
Desecration Rite Full-length, 2021

Official Site

VULTURES (BRAZIL)

Groovy post-thrash sustained in a playful, uplifting style with steady, unwavering mid-pace and friendly bluesy/balladic overtones ("Attrition"). The big surprise would be the short blasting passage on the closing "Satan's Work Is Done!"; the rest is feelgood stuff with passable mid-ranged semi-clean vocals.

Post Mortem Full-length, 2017

Official Site

VULTUROUS (AUSTRALIA)

This is decent classic power/speed/thrash reminding of the US legends Tyrant both in the music and the vocal department; the band boldly enter progressive realms with the long multifarious epicers "Slave to the Shadows" and "Under the Guns", but the surging headbanging immediacy of pieces like "Immortality" and "New Dawn" is the one that will impress the most, hovering over the dominant one-dimensional heavy mid-paced material ("Heavy Rain", "Castle of Sand").

Slave to the Shadows Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VULVANIAX (NORWAY)

This outfit specialize in weird atmospheric melodic thrash which suddenly switches onto more aggressive stuff and vice versa. The guitars are very abrasive and generally the sound quality isn't very good, but is on par with the bad drunken shouty death metal vocals. The blend isn't completely without merits, and "Milking Me Dry" is an interesting amalgam of melody and speedy passages that get translated well on the longer "Hades" which combines heavy doom riffs with vivid galloping ones.

The EP Previously Known As The Need A Drummer EP, 2009

VUOHI (FINLAND)

This act deliver a style that is both sinister and atmospheric (the opening etude "The Rain") and spasmodically brutal and unrestrained ("The Rain") with bold strokes of grindcore. The base remains thrash/crossover, though, expressed through short moshing outrages like "The Rain" and "Pissing o.t.N.F." and the bit more diverse, more aggressive "Cathedral of Runes", the closing "Zi" throwing an interesting, dark semi-industrial "cloak" over the hyper-active proceedings, a cut that would have made outfits like Strapping Young Lad and The Nefilim very proud.

Witchcraft Warfare Full-length, 2018

Official Site

VX (SPAIN)

Based on the debut EP, these Spaniards offer decent dynamic old school speed/thrash which comes a bit more bashing at times ("Amor Lliure") with a hardcore edge, and is generally a safe pick for the headbangers who would be happy to hear intense bashing cuts like the dramatic proto-death "Patada En La Boca" and the short explosive closer "Speed Maniac" where the guys should have tried harder to step the pedal on the speed in order to justify the song-title.

Holocaust Musical EP, 2009
Contraataque EP, 2010

Facebook

VX36 (USA)

Based on "A Violent Existence", this act offer intense modern thrash with some groovy and hardcore tendencies. The guitars are lashy and sharp and the tempos change constantly creating a dynamics of the playful variety despite the harsh aggro-vocal delivery. There are slight moments of death metal ("Darkness") as well as "calms before the storm" (the quiet acoustic instrumental "Calm Before the Storm"), the storm being the closing "The Storm" which is a raging headbanger with strong classic overtones, a side of theirs which the guys should explore more fully in the future.

VX36 Full-length, 2008
A Violent Existence Full-length, 2012

Official Site

VYATHIST (USA)

A young act who offer a decent mixture between modern and a bit of classic power/thrash with both semi-progressive and epic overtones, both more strongly felt on the more classic-sounding material. The songs aren't very fast, some of them even sounding doomy and bluesy to a mixed effect, and the obligatory groovy implements ("I Will Delete Me" and elsewhere) kind of spoil the picture which is also not helped much by the flat unemotional semi-clean vocals.

Faceless, Dreamless Full-Length, 2011

VYNDYKATOR (USA)

Bob Mitchell (Attacker) is behind the mike here and his characteristic high-pitched vocals will be immediately recognized. He's helped by his former colleague from Alchemy X Chris Scorsese on drums, and the guitarist Rob Oriani who sadly passed away in 2006. The epic opener "Deceiver", in the best tradition of Attacker's debut, and the following ambient/doom interlude "Eternal Rest" (yes, indeed, you can have a rest on this one) don't promise too much thrash, but things get harder from this moment on clinging between thrash and power metal with a dark shade not far from Sanctuary. High-speed antics along the lines of "Second Coming" are nowhere to be found, unfortunately, but the other extreme is covered pretty well: check the excellent doom metal hymn "Tapping The Vain". "Mr. Murder" is exemplary brooding power/thrash which develops into an awesome speed/thrasher in the second half. The final "flighty" "Flight Of The Wombat" is a very cool instrumental with galloping qualities, but the fan will be a bit disappointed with the short length of this effort which, just when starting to get interesting, has to end so abruptly. The band are no more with Mitchell reforming Attacker two years later.

Heaven Sent from Hell Full-length, 2002

Official Site

VYRANT (AUSTRALIA)

Based on the full-length, this act provide intense, at least initially, heavy modern thrash/death metal with steam-rolling pounding breaks ("CReed") timely provided along the way. The latter's number increases in the second half where the seismic rhythm-section threatens to turn this album into a mid-period Bolt Thrower clone; not that this would be a bad thing, but the more individualistic nature of this opus displayed at the beginning completely gets lost by the appearance of the jumpy, industrialized doom-flavoured closer "Tyrann" the band obviously trying to still find their more fitting face at this stage.

Ruination EP, 2016
Exordium Full-length, 2018

Official Site

V0LD (FINLAND)

Thrashy hardcore, fast and intense, a bit one-dimensional, but packs a punch with its uncompromising attitude. The drawback would be the wide variety of bad vocals which growl, scream, and rend without waiting for each other to finish. "Waiting For The Angels To Cry" is a cool doom track with epic overtones, nicely opposed to the preceding much faster material.

Boycott Your Life Full-length, 2006

My Space

VTETSEK (USA)

Based on the split with the Japanese Mind of Asian, this act offers noisy raw thrashcore with surprisingly cool short leads which starkly contrast with the simple repetitive riffs and the drunken harsh vocals.

Tinea Cruris EP, 2002
The Castrator Album Full-length, 2004
Vtetsek EP, 2005
Euro Tour 2008 EP, 2008
Infernal Command Full-length, 2008
V"etsek/Mind of Asian Split album, 2008

My Space

VORGUS (SWEDEN)

Based on "Vorgusized", the band play black/thrash metal influenced by bands like Celtic Frost, Venom and Motorhead (the latter are paid respect with a cover of "(We Are) The Road Crew"- thank god, this isn't "Ace of Spades" again). The music isn't very aggressive except for the Impaled Nazarene cover of "Total War-Winter War" which speeds things up a bit.
"Hellfueled Satanic Action" is faster and more dynamic and now there's almost nothing to relate it to black metal the music being energetic speed/thrash of the old school, well played with simplistic riffs and catchy arrangements akin to Exciter and Destructor, the more aggressive elements being the husky death metal vocals. The speed gets "broken" nicely on the power/doom metal hymn "Headhunter", and not so nicely on the sotf hard'n heavy number "Kill To Live To Kill". The closer, however, carrying the tender title "My Beloved", is blasting death metal madness seeing the music matching the viciousness of the vocals at the end.

Vorgus is the Law Full-length, 2001
The Evil Dominator Full-length, 2002
Pure Perkele Full-length, 2003
V"rgusized Full-length, 2004
Hellfueled Satanic Action Full-length, 2009

My Space


Copyright (c) 2007-2024 THE THRASH METAL GUIDE