Epidemic of Violence
Epidemic of Violence is the second album by New York City thrash metal band Demolition Hammer. It was released in early 1992 to critical acclaim and is considered a cult classic in the thrash metal genre.[2]
| Epidemic of Violence | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 1992 | |||
| Recorded | Normandy Sound, Warren, Rhode Island, January 1992 | |||
| Genre | Thrash Metal[1] | |||
| Length | 39:33 | |||
| Label | Century Media | |||
| Demolition Hammer chronology | ||||
| ||||
Epidemic of Violence uses a Michael Whelan painting for its cover artwork. In this case it was Lovecraft's Nightmare B.[3] The first half of the painting, Lovecraft's Nightmare A was used for Obituary's Cause of Death.[4]
Reception and legacy
In 2017, Loudwire placed Epidemic of Violence at #49 on their Top 50 Thrash Metal Albums list. Eduardo Rivadavia noted how Demolition Hammer managed to sustain their thrash metal sound during the rise of grunge, comparing them to other bands in the thrash genre who were going for a more commercial sound.[1] Loudwire also named Epidemic of Violence the best thrash metal album of 1992, naming it a cult classic.[2] On June 24, 2017, Demolition Hammer performed Epidemic of Violence in its entirety at the Gramercy Theater in New York City in celebration of the album's 25th anniversary.[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Skull Fracturing Nightmare" | 5:44 |
| 2. | "Human Dissection" | 5:04 |
| 3. | "Pyroclastic Annihilation" | 4:55 |
| 4. | "Envenomed" | 3:14 |
| 5. | "Carnivorous Obsession" | 5:52 |
| 6. | "Orgy of Destruction" (instrumental) | 0:51 |
| 7. | "Epidemic of Violence" | 4:20 |
| 8. | "Omnivore" | 4:36 |
| 9. | "Aborticide" | 4:57 |
2008 re-release live bonus tracks
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Mercenary Aggression" | 3:02 |
| 11. | "Cataclysm" | 5:32 |
| 12. | "Crippling Velocity" | 5:34 |
| 13. | "Carnivorous Obsession" | 4:59 |
Credits
- Steve Reynolds - lead vocals, bass
- James Reilly - guitar, backing vocals
- Derek Sykes - guitar, backing vocals
- Vinny Daze - drums, backing vocals
References
- Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Top 50 Thrash Metal Albums of All Time". Loudwire. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
- Divita, Joe. "Best Thrash Metal Album of Each Year Since 1983". Loudwire. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
- "Lovecraft's Nightmare B". Michael Whelan. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
- Decibel Magazine. "Memories Remain: The Making of Obituary's "Cause of Death"". Decibel. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
- "Reunited DEMOLITION HAMMER To Perform Entire 'Epidemic Of Violence' Album At Special New York City Concert". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2019-02-06.