Ira Black part ways with Vio-lence

The veteran thrash band Vio-lence has announced that guitarist Ira Black is leaving the group, as per theprp. The latter, who started playing with the group in 2022, announced his departure yesterday, August 30. Sean Killian, the frontman of Violence, stated as much.

I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to my brother, Ira Black, for everything he has brought to Vio-Lence and for sharing his incredible talent with us.

Ira has a dream of releasing his new album, Faenix, and moving forward with his new band, @apocaelypse_official. With that, it is with a heavy heart that I announce Ira Black’s departure from Vio-Lence as he dedicates his full focus to Apocaelypse.

Ira, much love and respect to you, brother. I truly believe you are going to achieve great success with this new chapter, and I support you 100 percent. I’m proud of you and excited to see what the future holds.

Thank you for everything, Ira.

Cheers, brother! 

Lead guitarist Phil Demmel, drummer Perry Strickland, rhythm guitarist Troy Fua, lead vocalist Jerry Birr, and bassist Eddie Billy (brother of musicians Andy and Chuck Billy) created Vio-lence, then known as Death Penalty, in 1985. Death Penalty changed their name to Vio-lence shortly after their debut performance, which apparently happened at a house party. Eventually, they changed it to Vio-lence because another band had already used that name. They parted ways with Birr, Fua, and Billy after recording two demos in 1986; Sean Killian, Robb Flynn (previously of Forbidden Evil), and Deen Dell took their places.

Vio-lence was able to record another demo, this time for major labels, including MCA Records’ sister label Mechanic, who offered them a recording contract, thanks to their live success at local clubs in Northern California, where they opened for bands like D.R.I., Voivod, Kreator, Dark Angel, Suicidal Tendencies, and the Mentors, as well as their Bay Area thrash metal peers Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, Lȧȧz Rockit, and Heathen.