Intervention, who hail from Rovaniemi, Finland, are one of those bands who started as a cover band. They used to do Megadeth covers. Anyways, they formed in 2007 and after last year's 'Promo '09' it's time for their sophomore demo.

It is no surprise, that Intervention play metal which has its roots firmly in thrash metal. But the band do not ape Megadeth. They also have one foot in the past and the other in here and now. 'Say It with Violence' starts with well-rolling double bass drum beat backed headbang stuff, before exhibiting more Mid-Eastern tinged heavy metal approach, especially this lovely 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' (Iron Maiden) stylizing on pre-chorus. And we also get calmer and beautiful part. This over 6 minutes long song is quite a tough nut to crack, but it shows a band who aren't doing a certain style of metal and above all, manage to sound characteristic.

But there's more to come... 'Run Like Hell!' is a punkier one. Its manic thrashing isn't far from Impaled Nazarene's genre-fucking 'Absence of War Does not Mean Peace' (2001), with chorus reminding me of Loudness! Yep, those crazy Japes! It's just that vocal melody and how the lyrics are articulated. It's very different songs when compared to the opener, but still does not stray too far. 'Left for the Scavengers' is modern thrash again, and at last shows the band's Megadeth-covering past. The vocals are very varying. Grunting, shouts, screams, shrieks, clean singing, some heavy metal helium voices... It feels refreshing, not like "let's force every-bloody-thing into songs" thing. The instruments are well performed without showing off.

The production is very good indeed. It's just very well thought out, giving space to every instrument and vocal styles. And yes, it kicks ass too! There's something characteristic in the soundscape. I think that this loud, metallic bass is one of such elements. Maybe it's just all those various things that the band show during this 13+ minutes. The cover art is also of commercial level and it's great to have lyrics, for once, on a demo.

Generally, this second demo is a huge step towards for the band. Maybe Intervention's guts to throw so many ingredients into their metal will drive somebody off, but I find it refreshing and what's even better, it works. It does not feel a bit forced. This should work for the band, not against them. Let's hope there is some less avaricious record labels out there, because Intervention's 'Words of Violence' is easily one of the most entertaining demos I've heard in ages.

Reviewed by Lane
02/12/2010 12:17