Violator
Chemical Assault

The Violator, a quartet from Brasilia, when in October 2006 decided to release their first full-length, I think they wanted to heavily emphasize that there are still those capable of smashing, destroying, and having fun by drawing from the old school of the Bay Area Thrash, and above all, without worrying about market logic.

Supported by a small and badass underground label, these five rookies just past their twenties package this impressive work of compacted, compressed, fast, and always aggressive power, which, if it had come out in the golden years of Thrash, would undoubtedly not have paled alongside works like 'Bonded By Blood' by Exodus, 'Forbidden Evil' by Forbidden, and 'Fistful Of Metal' by Anthrax. Their nostalgia operation, besides being commendable for the aforementioned reasons, is also a continuous punch in the stomach.

Pedro Capaca churns out, indeed, with incredible ease and, I would say, almost disarming, a killer series of old school riffs, without a drop in inspiration, pure insolent blade strikes supported by a tireless steamroller of a drum set that dazes and incites the most unrestrained headbanging.
"Atomic Nightmare," "UxFxTx (= United for Thrash)," "Destined to Die" and "Addicted to Mosh" with their heart-stopping mosh breaks and the hysterical and powerful voice of the leader bassist and vocalist Pedro Poney Ret and their bloodthirsty and furious riffs form a badass calling card, as tight as your ears accustomed to vintage Thrash could hope for. A breath-stealing opening.

The rest of the material on the platter maintains the crushing rhythms of the first four tracks and reaches the pinnacle of power and inspiration in "Brainwash Possession," "Toxic Death" and "After Nuclear Devastation", leaving room for an unexpected instrumental "Ordered To Thrash", which contains a sort of warning/advice or hope for all thrashers. In fact, the only word sung is "thrash," as if to say it never died and Violator play it untainted, raw, and unfiltered.

The lyrics that tackle themes so dear to healthy Thrashers, their lifestyle, and societal issues - and thus certainly not the epitome of originality - the street-style artwork, the not too clean sound management, with the drums not amplified in the final mix to avoid softening the guitar's sonic impact, and finally, the production complete the nostalgia operation put in place by these young Brazilian lads.

Highly recommended for those who want to indeed go back in time and spin their crazy heads, but while comfortably staying at home and especially in 2007!

See Ya!