Here's a young melodic death metal band that's managed to get it right the first time. Violence Divine is an ass-kicking of an album with a stellar production and a never-ending wealth of energetic, memorable riffing. The majority of the members hail from an earlier band called DamnNation which released a single album and broke up. Guitarist Eyal Glottman was the former guitarist/vocalist for Eternal Grey, with whom he released one of the greatest Israeli metal albums ever in Kindless, a death metal extravaganza. I'm not sure how much of his influence rubbed off here, but it does share the same sort of vibrant riffing and excellent production (this album was recorded in Denmark).
I've had several of the tracks here on constant replay since I first heard the album a month or so back. "Overture" is amazing with its subtle acoustic intro and then abrupt shift into a glorious scream over the double bass, then its textural thrashing madness. Love it. "Bestowed Upon the Void" is another winner, a somber, almost doom riff opens the track and then it gets into some great melodic death/thrashing with a wonderful guitar melody during the bridge. In fact this album recalls a lot of what made certain melodic death (or related) albums of the 90s so well crafted. Memorable melodies combined with great, heavy tone, and amazing productions. This may not be at the same level of an Elegy or Jester Race, but it's cut from that same cloth.
Yotam Avni's snarling vocals respond to the musical catalyst with ensnaring charisma, again a perfect balance. The musicianship is top notch within this band, but never too wanky or overdone. Each song is extremely well constructed so that no two truly sound the same, and the album's pace is excellent across all tracks. Other notables include "Breach" with its intense progressive death metal intro. "Dead Man's Dream" with its driving, almost gothic metal hymnal guitars. The bass playing throughout is very nice, has an almost swelling jazz feel to it.
You just don't hear something of this quality every day. A kick ass debut and I hope we get many more from these blokes.
Verdict: Epic Win [9/10]
http://www.myspace.com/preyfornothing
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