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

I only recently picked up Demolition Hammer's debut album Tortured Existence and found it to be an entertaining underground thrash metal album. But it's obvious from the rating above that Epidemic of Violence is considered by many to be one of the very best albums the genre has to offer. After just a few minutes it's easy to hear why! This is intense, thrashing madness that manages to combine great musicianship with venomous aggression. Think Slayer and Kreator with machine gun drumming and brutal vocals, all at incredible face ripping velocity.

The production isn't amazing but it's punchy enough for all this metallic angst to hit home. The riffs are quite special throughout and the band's ability to shift gear successfully at exactly the right time stops any of the 8 tracks (Orgy of Destruction is a short instrumental) from getting even slightly boring. For a perfect example, check out opener Skull Fracturing Nightmare and tell me you're not banging your head madly around the 2-minute mark. Once again Steve Reynolds vocals are awesome! He really does remind me of Mille from Kreator, yet he manages to top even that veteran for pure animosity. Vinny Daze on drums is an absolute machine and he certainly gives Epidemic of Violence an almost death metal intensity.

Highlights are aplenty but my personal favourites would be Skull Fracturing Nightmare, Pyroclastic Annihilation, Omnivore and Aborticide. This album deserves all the praise it gets and I'm quite surprised that it hasn't been recommended to me more frequently over the years. Don't make the same mistake I did by ignoring this thrash metal gem for over 15 years. If you like thrash metal in the slightest, you just got to own this!