Review: “Unbelievable Violence” by Head In A Jar

Hailing from Sydney Australia Head In A Jar have been musing on themes of Science fiction, Fantasy, Violence, Death, Humour in Technicolor Crossover Thrash since the year of our Lord 2011. A fiercely independent quartet, drummer Marcus Alvarez leaves the operators of strings in bassist Adrian Suljanovic and axe wielding duo Nick Coady and Gordy Whyte to all contribute to the vocals while he beats the living daylights out of the kit, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of rhythmic perfection. Mixed and Mastered by Will Hirst (Mindforce, Combust, Burning Lord) at Sonelab Studio and accompanied by a cover painting by Andrei Bouzikov (Violator, Thrasherwolf, Nervosa), their third album is titled “Unbelievable Violence“…

Sounding like it was recorded live on the floor of the studio in one take “Grave Invasion” could have been a demo stolen from Municipal Waste, such is the quality of the rapid fire riffs, perfectly executed gang chants and whirlwind of percussive battery. You know when your favourite vocalist says “Circle pit, circle pit, circle pit! This is gonna be a fast one!” at a festival? That is this song, getting the album off to an adrenaline fueled flyer without so much as batting an eyelid. The electrifying pace doesn’t stop there as Jacob Cummins of Under Night’s Cover fame provides a solo for “Homejob Exorcist” which is masterfully done, the band breaking the light speed record with consummate ease. There is just a hint of an old school Exodus influence on this one vocally, the catchy lyrics coming into play after multiple listens as the gang chants keep coming with alarming regularity. The energy of “The Bantam Slam” is reminiscent of Gama Bomb especially with that high pitched vocal moment in the mid section as Head In A Jar smash and dash, slowing things down a notch without lessening the intensity. Another solo is effervescent before the rampage that is “How’s Annie?” hits ramming speed once more. Lyrics like “She’s dead, wrapped in plastic, this coffee, is fantastic!” are as absurd as they are hilarious and catchy and so when you find yourself singing-a-long after a few spins don’t be surprised.

A classic quote from Sylvester Stallone in 1993’s Demolition Man introduces “(Do The) Hunka Chunka” which has that zany quality of the Beastie Boys but in a Thrash Metal context, the comic quality of the lyrical narrative hilarious good fun. It’s not unlike anything that we’ve heard from Head In A Jar previously but this time out its elevated and refined, their years of experience playing together making all the difference. Keeping the movie themes firmly in place “Return of the Living Head” is a reference Dan O’Bannon’s 1985 comedy horror movie “The Return Of The Living Dead” and does everything you’d expect from blistering riffs to solid gang chants. What that doesn’t do is prepare you for the sinister introduction to “Visions of Hell” which proves the four piece can do creepy atmospherics if they so desire. Another classic Thrash cut with the distinctive air of the American scene circa 1983, this one plays out in finger pointing fashion and clearly has a name. The fleeting bass solo (if you can call it that) before the eerie main one is a nice nuanced touch before the Moog Synthesizer from Gordy Whyte adds another texture. Suljanovic gives us another bass solo at the start of the Hardcore injected Punk of “Rage Quit“, an angry anthem of the finest order that simply doesn’t stop. The albums second guest is Pat Simkin of Pizza Death who joins for “Ride the Slime Pipe“, a blistering affair of melodic leads that has something of “Smash” era Offspring about it in the breakneck speed riffing as the band give us another breathless performance that captures their live energy perfectly.

Just when you think they can’t have anything left in the gas tank Head In A Jar reveal the Jello Biafra inspired “The Big Giveaway“, a cut laced with socially aware satire that has a the seriously catchy line “Oh god, you really gone and done it now!“. There Noddles inspired riffs are brought back with “Historical Loser” before the album title track “Unbelievable Violence” flips the script back to the pages of Thrash. Once again inspired by violence on VHS but this time with a satisfying crunch to the guitar work, this one does some serious nerve damage to the neck while making you laugh with lines like “Kids are playing jumprope with intestines“. Sounding like the conjoined twin of that “Chaos at Camp Cult” finishes the album in searing style with verve and swagger. A tale of occult ritual that some how goes from Thrash to 1970’s Progressive Rock with a Hammond Organ laced instrumental passage, this one will catch you off guard like Clutch in the best possible way. A smorgasbord that proves once and for all that variety is the spice of life, this one will keep you entertained for hours [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Grave Invasion
2. Homejob Exorcist (ft. Jacob Cummins of Under Night’s Cover)
3. The Bantam Slam
4. How’s Annie?
5. (Do The) Hunka Chunka
6. Return of the Living Head
7. Visions of Hell
8. Rage Quit (ft. Madeleine Mitchell)
9. Ride the Slime Pipe (ft. Pat Simkin of Pizza Death)
10. The Big Giveaway
11. Historical Loser
12. Unbelievable Violence
13. Chaos at Camp Cult

“Unbelievable Violence” by Head In A Jar is out 12th December 2025 and available over at bandcamp