What makes Epidemic of Violence by Demolition Hammer notable?

The album is notable for its intense themes and brutal sound, which resonated within the extreme metal community. It has garnered a cult following over the years and remains influential in the thrash genre, helping inspire later bands with its uncompromising approach to lyrics and instrumentation. The album's cover art and title also sparked discussions about violence in music culture during the early '90s. Epidemic of Violence is Demolition Hammer's second album, following their debut, Tortured Existence, released in 1990. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the thrash metal scene, aiming to expand their fanbase while refining their sound. This release marked a critical phase as they sought to distinguish themselves amidst a competitive landscape dominated by established acts.

How many songs are on Epidemic of Violence?

Epidemic of Violence has 9 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Epidemic of Violence

Demolition Hammer · 1992

39 min · 9 tracks · thrash metal

Relentless thrash riffs collide with aggressive vocals, creating an unyielding sonic assault that embodies the chaos of violence.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Skull Fracturing Nightmare — This track opens the album with a furious energy and intricate guitar work that sets the tone for the entire record. Its relentless pace and aggressive lyricism exemplify Demolition Hammer's signature style.
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Epidemic of Violence — The title track encapsulates the album's core themes with its powerful riffs and visceral lyrics, making it a standout anthem of societal critique. It showcases the band's ability to blend technical prowess with meaningful commentary.
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Human Dissection — This track features complex arrangements and rapid tempo changes that highlight the band's musicianship while delivering graphic imagery that aligns perfectly with thrash metal's confrontational nature.
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Aborticide — As one of the more melodically driven tracks, Aborticide contrasts with the album's heavier moments while maintaining a dark thematic focus. Its memorable chorus makes it a highlight in live performances.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intense riffs and aggressive vocals create a distinct thrash sound that resonates within its genre.

What we noticed

The album features consistently fast tempos, with most tracks maintaining a relentless pace that rarely dips below high energy.
Vocals are aggressive and delivered in a harsh style, frequently overlapping with the instrumentation rather than following traditional melodic lines.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo shifts, creating a jarring effect that enhances the themes of violence and chaos.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

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 0:51
7 Epidemic of Violence 4:20
8 Omnivore 4:36
9 Aborticide 4:57

What to play next

Listen next

Time Bomb

1994

Go back to

Tortured Existence

1990

Full Demolition Hammer discography Artists like Demolition Hammer

thrash metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata