VIOLENT DIVINE -

VIOLENT DIVINE - same
Swedes are really smart and progressive. Violent Divine is from Sweden and has chosen a name that is both historically accurate, genre-wise appropriate and set in utter veracity. Who cares what a superstitious middle America thinks? The quartet makes hay of its roots in '80s music and good old hard rock and heavy metal. Regrettably, two things are getting in the way. First, is the band’s twelve-track CD which has arrived with no information, sleeve or song list. Second is the mixture of the music that leans heavily on the said genres, but certainly deviates from the essence. The debut track is certainly everything for which one could wish. The opener is like an accessible cross between Motörhead and Faster Pussycat. The song rocks and is aided by great vocals, backing vocals and a catchy upbeat hook that is heavy nonetheless. Then the CD changes tact and veers towards a mixture of late-era Ozzy and grungy overtures. The guitars take a jab at being Zakk Wylde and the mood becomes more somber. Rest assured that songs like number three still hint at riffs like Thin Lizzy, but there is more to the evil deity than straightforward hard rock. Regardless, twelve tracks of full-on professionalism and considered songwriting will not be ignored. Write to info@violentdivine.se. - Ali “The Metallian”