Review Summary: As young as they are, future looks bright for these Turin thrashers for they keep progressing toward maturation.
Coming from the fertile and prolific underground of Italian thrash metal, Ultra-Violence is one of the faster growing names in the recent scene. Founded in 2009 from the streets of Turin, the band received a notable amount of praise for both the debut EP
Wildcrash and LP
Privilege To Overcome. Joined the ranks of Candlelight Records, 2015 sees the release of the band's second full length album:
Deflect The Flow.
Even in most of the more positive views, what put everyone in agreement was the sensation that
Privilege To Overcome felt too long and overwhelming for its own good. Yet,
Deflect The Flow is barely shorter than its predecessor. Apparently, Ultra-Violence wanted to try. Keeping faith to their image (based on Clockwork Orange, as the name suggests), the band took the leap. Yes, it is long, but
Deflect The Flow showcases a stronger songwriting and features more than one twist along the way.
One brief listen to "Burning Through the Scars" is enough to get assailed by the band's over the top attitude and ferocious playing, which is complemented by Simone Mularoni's warm and clear production that makes sure nothing is lost in the mix and, finally, by an equally over the top cover artwork signed by Ed Repka. Frantic guitar playing, a relentless rhythm section, abrasive vocals and a touch of gang shouts will make any thrasher feel at home. Best news are this is only the beginning.
There is a lot to be enjoyed about
Deflect The Flow. The gloomy "Gavel's Bang" brings a groove reminiscent of
Privilege To Overcome, while the cover of Venom's "Don't Burn the Witch", given its short length, functions for it provides a break from the band's rather long songs, preparing the way for the two closing tracks. That said, the real unpredictable track of the album is "In the Name of Your God". A track divided in two thanks to a sudden acoustic break in its half, a break that leads to one of the album's most frenzied moments where every member of the band shines, only to stop again for a one minute long acoustic break named "A Second Birth".
Actually, the band is always shining in a way or another. Loris Castiglia's rampant vocal delivery never gives up on aggression. Together with Castiglia, Andrea Vacchiotti gives way to tight riffing and a soloing that does not refuse melody ("Fractal Dimension"). Sustainment is granted by a behemoth of a rhythm section. Simone Verre provides an unstoppable drumming that, through the use of blast beats and double bass, would not feel completely out of place in a death metal record (see "Lost in Decay"). Finally, Roberto Dimasi's bass guitar is predictably the element that is easier to lose track of. That said, its presence is undeniable and his playing can be easily enjoyed especially in tracks like "The Checkered Sun", "Burning Through the Scars" and "Why so Serious?".
Deflect The Flow is a more than worthy follow up to
Privilege To Overcome, one that sees the band grow under every aspect and overshadow the previous release. The album feels polished and thoughtful, and even in its less inspired moments ("Why so Serious?") it is able to provide a good amount of entertainment to those who enjoy the genre while accepting the fact that it will not bring any ground-breaking innovation to it.
