Violence
Violence makes the contrast between melody and aggression its main attraction. Nothingface keep the guitars heavy and the rhythms forceful, but Matt Holt's voice gives the music a wider range. His cleaner singing is an important part of the songs, rather than a brief break between screams. The band make those opposing sides feel closely connected.
Bleeder and Dead Like Me show the value of that approach. Their more melodic character gives Holt room to make a strong impression, while the guitars retain enough weight to keep the performances firmly within the album's heavier sound. Expressive guitar details add another point of interest beyond the vocal changes.
Can't Wait For Violence presents a more direct attack. The playing is physical and concentrated, with the drums giving the performance a substantial rhythmic presence. It provides a useful reminder that the band can make a forceful song work without relying entirely on a softer chorus.
Blue Skin adds another effective guitar idea. Its climbing riff gives the song immediate energy, and the arrangement turns that figure into a convincing source of movement. The instrumental writing is often strongest when a clear part gives the aggression a recognisable shape.
Everlasting Godstopper takes a broader route. The initial force eventually gives way to a slower passage, with dissonant picked guitar and a more distant vocal creating a different atmosphere. The change lets the song develop beyond its heavier opening without losing its uneasy character.
The main limitation is that not every rhythm or hook feels equally distinctive. Some heavier passages can sound interchangeable, and the more melodic songs sometimes suggest ideas that could have been developed further. The performances are consistently committed, but the writing does not always provide equally memorable material.
Still, Violence has a convincing balance of weight, melody and vocal personality. Its strongest moments give the heavy playing a clear musical purpose. Nothingface find enough character inside a familiar alternative metal sound to make this a worthwhile record.
