The Violent Hour (Megaforce Records) is a five-song EP collaborative effort between Anthrax and Pantera drummer Charlie Benante and former Butcher Babies’ vocalist Carla Harvey, who is also Lords Of Acid vocalist—Benante on drums, guitar, bass and Harvey on vocals. Contributions from John 5, Zakk Wylde, and Brandon Yeagley (Crobot vocalist) add the right layer of icing, or in Yeagley’s case, an unexpected turn.
Harvey is currently putting together a band to take this work on the road, and I’m thinking they’ll find an audience as these songs are all quality rock.
The EP kicks things off with immediate thrash rock vibes on “Sick Ones.” The tones hit hard, and coupled with the tempo, the song feels like Anthrax in the opening measures. The abrasive qualities are the kind of thing that makes this kind of rock so addictive.
Carla starts singing and the full picture comes into view. Lyrical exploration of ending relationships with toxic particles is offered up with an aggression that will get crowds moving. John 5 drops in a guitar solo that tears everything to sheds, as his signature sound dances over the rhythm in ways that conjure multiple listens.
“Hell Or Hollywood” opens with twang on an acoustic guitar that is a recurring riff throughout that mixes really well with the harder moments. This one is destined to be a crowd pleaser.
Catchy lyrical bounce validates the musical chemistry I suspected in the opening song. Lines like, “do what you want/not what you should” is a rock mantra that is both echoed throughout music history and resonates as an original statement here. Wylde begins his guitar solo, which sits so perfectly on top of the mix that I must reiterate, this song will be a crowd pleaser.
“Portland, Oregon” features Brandon Yeagley and is a vocal duet with an old school sound. This song pivots away from the harder edge and embraces blues rock with a southern flair, a Janis Joplin meets Lynyrd Skynyrd scenario.
This unexpected change is a breath of fresh air as it changes the pacing of the EP and delightfully subverts expectations. While it does have modern audio techniques, it still sounds like it would fit right in with something from the 1970s.
“Sex and Cigarettes” marches back to the distorted guitars. This return to form is full of hooks that seem to salute a 90’s sound. Carla’s vocal performance here reminds me of an angrier No Doubt, and I’m here for it.
The EP concludes with the title track, “The Violent Hour.” This song changes course, as the tempo slows down. An acoustic guitar starts things off in a way that feels like a ballad. Carla comes in and sings while the other instruments build up the song to a wall of sound at the chorus that reveals the structure is solid.
This debut EP is quality rock from front to back. Carla Harvey and Charlie Benante have a project that encapsulates the spirit of rock ‘n roll, and is worthy of a spin!
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