Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Demolition Hammer - Epidemic of Violence (1992)

In case anybody still hasn't realised yet, I like my thrash metal as vicious as possible.  The very essence that attracted me to thrash metal in the first place was the more primitive and aggressive end of the spectrum.  Raging energy, lightning fast delivery and unapologetic attitude tick virtually all my boxes and float my boat to kingdom come.

Epidemic of Violence has all of the above highlighted characteristics in abundance.  Whether it is the scathing vocals of Steve Reynolds, the pounding drums of the late Vinny Daze or the chugging riffs and warped leads of James Reilly and Derek Sykes, I am literally spoilt for choice on here.  For the whole album there's a real sense of authenticity for the aggressive art form the band have chosen to pursue.  Track by track things just get layered up with more riffs, sharper leads and blindingly paced rhythm sections.

A lot of people prefer the debut to this but I think the sophomore more than edges it.  It takes the primeval style of the debut and adds some elements of refinement to make the assault seem more calculated this time around. It is just as terrifying as the first time around with the lyrical content being just as blunt and uncompromising as the crude utterances were on the debut.  If you take a listen to the 2008 remaster you get hear these vocals in the live setting on four bonus tracks that underline the prowess on display on this record already. 

Whichever version you have the pleasure of listening to, Epidemic of Violence is an absolute tour de force from start to finish and their finest offering over a discography of just three albums.