Vio-Lence — Oppressing the Masses

intothewellsabyss

Jul 13, 20232 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

33 years ago today, Vio-Lence were “Oppressing the Masses” with this brutal release!

On this day (July 13) in 1990, Vio-Lence released their second full-length album, “Oppressing the Masses” via Megaforce Records/Atlantic Records.

Background:

In December 1989, Vio-lence entered the studio to record what would be their second album and only release on Megaforce (distributed by Atlantic) “Oppressing the Masses”; however, the album faced multiple delays until its release in the summer of 1990.

Although the album's success did not match that of “Eternal Nightmare”, it received some positive reviews and a video for the song "World in a World" was released. “Oppressing the Masses” also generated some controversy, when the original album (which reportedly sold only 20,000 copies) was destroyed because of Atlantic's objection to the lyrical content of "Torture Tactics"; as a result, the album was reprinted without this track.

Vio-lence toured in support of the album for about a year, with bands such as Overkill, Exodus, Forbidden, Flotsam and Jetsam, Prong, Defiance and Rigor Mortis.

The song "Torture Tactics" can be found on the Japanese version of “Oppressing the Masses”. The re-release version contains the tracks from “Torture Tactics” EP.

"Torture Tactics" was later released as an EP in 1991 via Megaforce / Caroline Records.

A promotional only CD was released for "World In A World".

Critical Reception:

Exclaim! Writer Chris Ayers stated; While Metallica recorded their Crossover classic “The Black Album” and Testament slapped together their haphazard “Souls of Black”, Bay Area Metal upstarts Vio-Lence released 1990's promising "Oppressing the Masses", a follow-up to their '88 debut “Eternal Nightmare”.”

While one reviewer on Amazon.com claimed;

“5.0 out of 5 stars As great as “Eternal” was, “Oppressing the Masses” is even better, wow!!! If you loved “Eternal Nightmare”, and Vio-lence, this is a must have! Not only does this retain the guts, and aggressiveness of “Eternal Nightmare”, but this release is more refined, and organinzed, with big record label polish.”

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

▶ Listen to “Oppressing the Masses” via Apple Music: Unavailable

▶ Listen to “Oppressing the Masses” via Spotify: Torture Tactics https://open.spotify.com/album/065m1lAJ74ogCAlObLsCs0

▶ Watch the official music video for “World in a World": https://youtu.be/uZiuGmdpW4M

▶ Follow Vio-Lence on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vioofficialpage

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells

Vio-Lence — Oppressing the Masses

Background:

Critical Reception:

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

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