Vio Lence

Vio-lence originated in 1985 in the San Francisco Bay Area, initially under the name Death Penalty before settling on Vio-lence. Their early years saw them recording two demos in 1986. A significant lineup change occurred when Sean Killian, Robb Flynn, and Deen Dell joined, replacing former members. This solidified a core group that would achieve recognition in the thrash metal community. The band gained traction by performing at local clubs in Northern California, sharing stages with notable acts such as D.R.I., Voivod, and Kreator, which helped secure a recording contract with Mechanic, a sister label of MCA Records.

From February to April 1988, Vio-lence recorded their debut album, “Eternal Nightmare.” Released in the summer of 1988, the album garnered positive reviews, reaching number 154 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 30,000 copies. This success led to tours throughout 1988 and 1989 with bands like Testament, Nuclear Assault, and Cro-Mags. Following this, Metal Blade Records, which housed other prominent thrash bands, signed Vio-lence. Their second album, “Oppressing the Masses,” released in 1990, continued their output despite some controversy over its lyrical content. The band later released the EP “Torture Tactics” in 1991 and their third album, “Nothing to Gain,” in 1993, before disbanding in 1994.

The band reunited in January 2019, marking a significant return to the music scene. This reunion led to the release of the EP “Let the World Burn” in March 2022, their first new material in nearly three decades. Sean Killian has remained a consistent member, while the band has seen various members in its lineup, including Phil Demmel and Robb Flynn. Vio-lence continues to perform and record, maintaining their presence in the thrash metal genre.