Biography
Oakland metallers Vio-Lence surfaced in 1985 and played a central role in sharpening the Bay Area thrash style, standing at the forefront of its second wave together with Testament, Lȧȧz Rockit, Heathen, Death Angel, and Forbidden. Across three studio albums highlighted by the 1988 landmark Eternal Nightmare, the group operated until 1993 before going dormant. Official reunion activity began in 2019, and following a series of well-attended concerts the band delivered the 2022 EP Let the World Burn.
The East Bay town of Dublin served as the birthplace for Vio-Lence, launched by guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Perry Strickland during their high-school years. Vocalist Sean Killian, bassist Dean Dell, and guitarist Robb Flynn came aboard a couple of years afterward, solidifying the lineup. Drawing heavily from thrash originators Exodus, the band favored unfiltered aggression rather than the technical approach favored by Death Angel and Forbidden, forging a brutal and unrelenting sound. After signing with Mechanic, the MCA Records sister label, Vio-Lence released their debut Eternal Nightmare in 1988. Underground metal circles embraced the LP, which also reached the Billboard 200 and prompted a shift to the respected thrash imprint Megaforce, an Atlantic subsidiary, for the follow-up. Multiple postponements pushed Oppressing the Masses to 1990, chiefly because Atlantic rejected the lyrics of “Torture Tactics,” a track ultimately excised. The label parted ways with the group the next year, prompting the four-song EP Torture Tactics that restored the disputed song alongside two demos and a live cut. Robb Flynn exited in 1992 to launch Machine Head yet still performed on the third album, Nothing to Gain, issued in 1993 after being recorded in 1990. Shortly after its appearance the band dissolved, with Phil Demmel, Dean Dell, Ray Vegas, and Mark Hernandez regrouping as the groove/thrash outfit Torgue while Flynn achieved prominence fronting Machine Head.
Vio-Lence staged occasional live shows during the 2000s, early guitarist Ray Vegas stepping in for Robb Flynn after Demmel joined Machine Head in 2003, though the lineup never entered the studio. Another reunion occurred in 2017 for a benefit concert supporting Sean Killian during his liver-disease treatment. Once Killian recovered and Demmel left Machine Head, the band formalized its return and began writing fresh material. The resulting 2022 EP Let the World Burn featured co-founders Killian, Demmel, and Strickland alongside guitarist Bobby Gustafson and bassist Christian Olde Wolbers.
The East Bay town of Dublin served as the birthplace for Vio-Lence, launched by guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Perry Strickland during their high-school years. Vocalist Sean Killian, bassist Dean Dell, and guitarist Robb Flynn came aboard a couple of years afterward, solidifying the lineup. Drawing heavily from thrash originators Exodus, the band favored unfiltered aggression rather than the technical approach favored by Death Angel and Forbidden, forging a brutal and unrelenting sound. After signing with Mechanic, the MCA Records sister label, Vio-Lence released their debut Eternal Nightmare in 1988. Underground metal circles embraced the LP, which also reached the Billboard 200 and prompted a shift to the respected thrash imprint Megaforce, an Atlantic subsidiary, for the follow-up. Multiple postponements pushed Oppressing the Masses to 1990, chiefly because Atlantic rejected the lyrics of “Torture Tactics,” a track ultimately excised. The label parted ways with the group the next year, prompting the four-song EP Torture Tactics that restored the disputed song alongside two demos and a live cut. Robb Flynn exited in 1992 to launch Machine Head yet still performed on the third album, Nothing to Gain, issued in 1993 after being recorded in 1990. Shortly after its appearance the band dissolved, with Phil Demmel, Dean Dell, Ray Vegas, and Mark Hernandez regrouping as the groove/thrash outfit Torgue while Flynn achieved prominence fronting Machine Head.
Vio-Lence staged occasional live shows during the 2000s, early guitarist Ray Vegas stepping in for Robb Flynn after Demmel joined Machine Head in 2003, though the lineup never entered the studio. Another reunion occurred in 2017 for a benefit concert supporting Sean Killian during his liver-disease treatment. Once Killian recovered and Demmel left Machine Head, the band formalized its return and began writing fresh material. The resulting 2022 EP Let the World Burn featured co-founders Killian, Demmel, and Strickland alongside guitarist Bobby Gustafson and bassist Christian Olde Wolbers.
Albums
Singles
