Ira Black departs Vio-lence to focus on Apocælypse

Bay Area thrash metal band Vio-lence has announced the departure of guitarist Ira Black. Black, who joined the group in 2022, is leaving to focus on his new musical project, Apocælypse.

Vio-lence frontman Sean Killian expressed support for Black on social media, stating, “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.” Killian noted that Black intends to dedicate his full attention to the release of Apocælypse’s debut album, titled ‘Faenix’.

Apocælypse features Ira Black alongside his son, guitarist Ira Black IV, former Five Finger Death Punch bassist Matt Snell, and drummer Lonny Pasillas. This departure follows another recent lineup change for Vio-lence, which saw the exit of founding guitarist Phil Demmel in 2024. The band has not yet named a replacement for Black.