For camo-outfitted, blackened death metallers V:28, VioLution, subtitled Choking on Black Liquid Death, marks the end of the trilogy that began with NonAnthropogenic in 2003, continued with SoulSaviour in 2005, and concludes here in 2007. Revolving around the “deconstruction” of earth, the latest from this Vendlus signing is another sturdy installment from both the label and band. While it’s on par with prior endeavors, it doesn’t one-up them, which, considering their reliance on one another for their respective portions of the 28-song trilogy, is actually positive in the scope of things.

Though the production is fitting, lending a razor-like quality to a clinical recording, it seems V:28 would benefit from a thicker sound. I often found myself desiring more force than the thin production provides. Nevertheless, nearly everything else about the nine-song, 47-minute VioLution excels. The songs conjure an apocalyptic vibe through the use of unsettling electronic/industrial effects and applicable soundclips, while the depressive doomsayers play their brand of wiry, black-tinged death, which displays a solid grasp of instrumental know-how. Aside from the ambient, atmospheric introduction “Exequor,” “Shut It Down” returns to the sound explored on previous full-lengths, and more often than not, projects an unshakable sense of hopelessness that permeates V:28’s discography. Subsequent effort “The Absolute” accomplishes the same feeling, but, in accordance with the band’s practice of including guest contributions on each album, Garm (Ulver, Head Control System) offers his whimsical, clean vocals at this point, thereby adding a beacon of light that contrasts with the surrounding darkness.

Others such as “Pattern of the Weak,” dirge-like “Surrender to Oblivion,” “World Wide Bombing Day,” “Desert Generator,” and “Can You See the Light Now?” swim in a similar vein, but it’s “When Entropy Decreases” that truly impresses with its incorporation of strings at 3:05 and especially the pitch increase at 4:16. The former captures the pressing nature of the imminent destruction, which comes to fruition during the soundclip that brings both VioLution and the trilogy itself to a close. Quite a finale, eh?

Obviously fans of this consistent troupe will want to pick this up, but if you’re a newcomer, you should think about starting at the beginning. At any rate, though, VioLution is a successful end to a three-part, ambitious venture that is alluring for a multitude of reasons. Hopefully even the skeptics will admit that V:28 pulled off this epic undertaking with aplomb.