Back to the Cult

Here I go back to March 2019 to review a killer record that I somehow missed at the time. This is the first full length from Finnish blackened thrash metal maniacs Grave Violator.

Wasting no time, a blasting double kick and sparse guitar chords draw in the frenzied assault of thrashing instrumental insanity with so much ferocious energy. Ripping vocals quickly complete the old school violence with a savage display of killer riffing and upbeat drum fills that really capture the true black-thrash vibe perfectly. There is nothing here that could be called weak due to the unfaltering prowess of killer musicians making some of the filthiest and most intense extremity you will hear.

We are also treated to some gorgeously punky stomps throughout the record that is certain to get you hyped up and ready to go crazy to the speeding violence within each song. Blistering guitar leads break up the butchering instrumentals beautifully with tons of melodically skilful lines cutting through the dense mix of rhythmic pounding. The title track of the album has one of the catchiest choruses you will hear this year which I really dig, it certainly gets you captivated by the raw blasting charm of the band in a way that is reminiscent of tracks like “Sex, Drinks and Metal” by Sarcofago. Grinding out a consistently maniacal cascade of bestial riffing and screeching warfare atop rupturing drum fills, there is never a dull moment or lack of energy on this album that provides an unendingly vicious slice of utter metal hellish bravado from start to end.

For those who prefer something a bit more in-your-face and slightly heavier than the big names in black-thrash at this time, Grave Violator hit the spot with some demonically driven tracks from the pits of hell. In just over thirty minutes you are taken to the depths and thrown through a roller-coaster ride of extremity you shall not forget.

In consensus, this album rules and if you are a fan of Whipstriker, Hellripper, Bastardizer and the like, you should not let this pass you by. Wonderfully done and I am definitely excited to hear more from these guys. Truly magnificent Finnish black-thrash brilliance.

Written for www.nattskog.wordpress.com