REVIOLENCE - “Violent Phoenix”- Independent 2008Music: Progressive/Thrash-Country: Brazil

Web site: www.myspace.com/reviolence- Cool Songs: Abduction, About Angels and Demons

REVIOLENCE is an upcoming thrash act from Brazil. Their latest album, the four-song EP “Violent Phoenix” is the second EP recording in the group’s five-year history. Considering REVIOLENCE hails from Brazil, one might get the impression this group is influenced by SEPULTURA, but this isn’t the case. REVIOLENCE sounds like a progressively focused METALLICA and MEGADETH, and a touch of DEATH (see “About Angels and Demons"), all done with very distinct singing. Carlos Furtado sings with a gruff voice that falls between Deceased’s King Fowley and Phil Rind of Sacred Reich in pitch, yet without a growling, death metal tone or screaming hardcore-isms. Although his voice isn’t the prettiest, he does have the ability to carry some great vocal harmonies. “Abduction” includes a highly memorable chorus. Furtado coarsely laments, “Where is the end of sorrow/Time is my enemy…The dead will be able to free me!” The vocal rhythms follow the music quite well, and the singer stretches the end of each line, which greatly raises the group’s listener-sing-along capabilities. Musically, REVIOLENCE inserts plenty of melodic solos. Guiherme Spilack and Chico Crestana offer dynamic solo breaks to follow Furtado’s meaty chops. Both guitarists shred out multi-note, rich toned guitar solos. “Abduction” begins with Mozart-like scale climbing that recalls shred masters such as Malmstein and Chuck Schuldiner of DEATH. The ensuing bass solo lines show the group’s comprehension of composition and technical prowess. The group ends the track with Baroque string pounding fashion that recalls “Creeping Death” by METALLICA. REVIOLENCE gives nod to more METALLICA-related projects, i.e. MEGADETH, on some of the melodic guitar solos on the following instrumental track “The Annunciation.” “About Angels and Demons” even includes some cultural influences by way of a quick Flamenco-style guitar passage“Violent Phoenix” reveals a group that has much to offer the international metal community. REVIOLENCE brings a good balance of thrashing rhythms, technical progressions and catchy vocal and musical harmonies. The group doesn’t shy away from their influences, but the multitude of influences and the precision to which REVIOLENCE pulls at all off makes for a memorable listen. Hopefully, their next outing offers more than a mere twelve minutes.