Anyone doubting Venom’s place on the highest level of the pantheon of Rock Gods might want to check out Sunn O)))’s recent, self-titled album. Their track “Does Anyone Hear Like Venom?” may not ape the Geordie trio’s black metal sound, but it’s clear that the Seattle ambient metalheads are seriously keen to pay homage to their huge influence on heavy music.
Venom have never been renowned for bothering the top end of the charts, despite having been on the metal scene for pushing 50 years, and yet they show absolutely no sign of throwing in the towel. Into Oblivion, their first album in seven years, also shows they have no intention of calming down and drifting towards the mainstream either – which will be a relief to those who like their eardrums battered with adrenaline-powered, galloping grooves, howling guitars, unrelenting riffage and growling vocals that are more than slightly tongue in cheek about being in league with Satan – “Arise Lord Lucifer!” indeed.
“Turn that fucker up!” orders manic frontman Cronos as the band lurch into the intoxicating and riotous “Live Loud”. While on the speedy and mosh pit-friendly title track he barks of death and destruction with machine gun delivery that would be impressive coming from someone of well less than a third his 63 years.
In fact, Cronos and his long-term cohorts, Rage and Dante, don’t let up for one minute. There are certainly no power ballads or attempts to absorb more contemporary sounds either. Into Oblivion is an unrelenting and glorious noise that is outrageous and exuberant throughout. Their giddy mash up of metal, punk and biker rock may not be subtle but it’s certainly the right stuff if you want to “lay down your soul to the god rock’n’roll” as they demand on their incendiary recent single, “Lay Down Your Soul”.
