The Ultra-Violence

The Ultra-Violence is the debut by Death Angel, the American thrash metal band formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1982. It is an astonishing record, recorded by the five members — Rob Cavestany (guitar), Gus Pepa, Dennis Pepa, Andy Galeon, all Filipino-American cousins, plus Mark Osegueda (vocals) — while they were all still teenagers, with drummer Galeon just 14. Death Angel would go on to lead the second wave of thrash as a core of the Bay Area scene alongside Metallica, Exodus and Testament. The reputation of the "Kill as One" demo, produced by Metallica's Kirk Hammett, drew a deal with Enigma Records, and this album was recorded in a mere three days. With intricately twisting riffs and youthful drive, it carves a vivid identity into Bay Area thrash. Alongside aggressive songs like "Thrashers," "Voracious Souls" and "Kill as One," the 10-minute instrumental title track testifies to the young band's extraordinary skill. A thrash classic brimming with rough-hewn energy throughout.