In this week’s entry of Roland’s pick for Metal Album of the Week series, I wanted to share a thrash metal album that is hard to put down.
Album: “Violent Agression”
Band: Deathraiser
They hail from the Minas Gerais state of Brazil, and this album will make you wanna smash things!
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I love thrash metal. Like, I REALLY DO!
That said, just like with Grindcore, I’m surprisingly picky about it.
For whatever reason, I probably connect with only about 30% of the thrash metal I come across. A lot of it leaves me cold. But when I find a thrash album that truly clicks with me, I’m all in.
And I mean ALL IN!
I can listen to a great thrash record for hours on end, day after day, week after week, without getting tired of it.
There’s something about the energy, the riffs, and the attitude of the genre that really speaks to me when it’s done right.
That’s exactly the case with this week’s pick: “Violent Aggression”
Deathraiser hails from Brazil, and it feels fitting that the friend who introduced me to them is also a die-hard Brazilian thrasher.
Honestly, that’s probably the perfect combination.
There’s just something special about Brazilian thrash metal.
Whether it’s the intensity, the rawness, or the sheer commitment to aggression, bands from Brazil seem to bring a unique energy to the genre.
Deathraiser is no exception.
From the moment “Violent Aggression starts”, it does exactly what the title promises.
The riffs are ferocious.
The vocals are vicious.
The energy is relentless.
And the album never lets up.
This is the kind of thrash metal that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Every song is packed with sharp riffing, driving rhythms, and enough attitude to keep your neck sore for days.
It’s aggressive without becoming mindless, and intense without losing its sense of fun.
In other words, exactly what I want from thrash metal.
One of my favorite ways to experience this album is while out on a run. There’s something about the combination of speed, aggression, and momentum that makes it perfect running music. Every time I finish listening to it, I come home with the overwhelming urge to pick up a guitar and spend the rest of the day playing thrash riffs. (Though not very good for productivy in the studio, LOL!)
That’s usually a good sign.
If you’re a fan of old-school, no-nonsense thrash metal, I highly recommend checking this one out.
To me, “Violent Aggression” feels like an instant thrash classic. It’s fast, aggressive, memorable, and endlessly replayable.
The kind of album that reminds you why you fell in love with thrash metal in the first place.
Highly recommended!
Now, excuse me while I go listen to it again and bang my head for the hundredth time this week.
As far as production notes goes, the bass tone on this album is absolutely fantastic!
It’s one of the first things that grabbed my attention. The bass retains excellent note definition, particularly in the critical 1 kHz to 3 kHz range, allowing it to cut through the mix without overpowering the guitars.
It’s a great example of how to keep the bass present, audible, and musical in a dense thrash metal mix.
Another thing I noticed is that the overall EQ balance is slightly darker than what I typically expect from a thrash metal record.
That caught me off guard on my first listen, but in a good way.
Instead of relying heavily on bright, razor-sharp guitars, the album opts for a somewhat darker tonal character that complements the aggression of the music while giving it a distinctive sound.
It’s a production choice that I ended up appreciating more and more with each listen. Well done!
Favourite track: Opression til Death
Playlist
Streaming Platforms
Listen to Deathraiser on: