REVENGE – Violation.Strife.Abominate

Three words, bound together by two dots, form a single title that immediately signals Revenge’s uncompromising, nihilistic intent. This is not just another release, but a reaffirmation of their core identity: relentless, radical, and unyielding even after 25 years.

 

The Canadian one-man band led by James Read—a cornerstone of the war metal scene—is instantly recognizable, both visually and sonically. Not just for the aesthetic, but for a style that has remained unwavering over time while retaining its own distinct identity. After all, for a pioneer like him, there’s no need to reinvent a formula that has worked so damn well since the very beginning. The same formula that, starting from Triumph.Genocide.Antichrist has consistently spread hatred and destruction, continuing with the same intensity on the latest Violation.Strife.Abominate.

 

Nothing has changed in five years, and it’s immediately evident from the opener, Violation Unit (Balaclava Directive), which sets the stage with explosive drumming, brutal vocals, and razor-sharp riffing. Treason Disrupt (All Are Guilty) follows, notable for its frequent stop-and-go aggression and commanding vocal delivery that define the band’s war metal approach. Flashpoint Heretic (Flame Thrown) stands out for being relentless from start to finish. Strife Invocation embodies total devastation, while Mercy Revoked and Piety Vaporised (True Force) create a terrifying back-to-back assault, highlighted by the interplay between Read’s vocals/drums and Vermin’s guitars, capturing the album’s most uncontrollable moments. Even the final three tracks uphold the relentless brutality, closing the record with undiminished force.

 

No surprises, no reinvention—just pure ferocity. That has always been the essence of Revenge and remains so. Violation.Strife.Abominate is further proof: while some may find it familiar, the band rides the same wave with absolute conviction and dominance for more than two decades.