“It’s like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black”. So spoke the prophet known as Nigel Tufnell, guitarist with the legendary Spinal Tap. It’s the line that the title of Venom Inc’s latest album, There’s Only Black immediately conjures. But there’s little spoofy about this release.
Formed in 2015, Venom Inc’s current line-up of bassist/vocalist Tony “The Demolition Man” Dolan, guitarist Jeff “Mantas” Dunn and drummer Jeramie “Warmachine” Kling have been flying the flag for the originators of black metal ever since. 2017’s Ave demonstrated that Venom Inc was a force in the song writing department as well as in the live arena where the band’s blisteringly intense performances have earned them plenty of new fans.
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It’s over 50 minutes in length, and with a dozen tracks, the fear is that it may be a little bloated. The first single, “How Many Can Die” certainly didn’t set the world on fire when it was released, but it’s an appropriate opener. Bursting with muscular metal riffs, a big production sound and Dolan’s gravel-throated delivery, it does its job, the first of several blunt, bulldozing tracks that seem to define the ethos behind Venom Inc’s current direction.
Lyrically, there’s little new. Plenty of references to war, fighting for Satan, fire, evil, witches, it’s all here, the band hamstrung in some respects by their heritage. You don’t want Venom Inc singing about feelings, emotions, or nature. Musically, the band are tight, oh so tight, with Dolan’s punishing bass driving the songs forward, Kling’s drumming is powerful and Dunn’s guitar playing a million miles away from those early awkward solos in the 1980s.
The title track is a rampaging beast, with Dunn’s scorching guitar work screaming about the punishing, thrash paced delivery and the lyrical content for once denying the existence of both Old Nick and the man in white robes. It’s on “Tyrant” and “Burn Liar Burn” that the band finally show a bit of subtlety, the measured breakdowns that adds some melody to the crash, bang, wallop welcome moments of composed musicianship. The latter is by far the most structured and measured piece in the entire album, and whilst it’s routine in some parts, especially the explosive second half, the first segment at least provides respite.
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Elsewhere, There’s Only Black is exactly what you want from a band who bear the name of such a seminal band in terms of metal history. Fully aware that a whole host of challengers to the blackened thrash throne are bursting through, this is an album that sees Venom Inc go for power and pace, thunder and lightning and a ferocity that is unrelenting. Tracks such as “Nine”, “Infinitum” and “Rampant” brood with malevolence.
Ultimately, There’s Only Black will no doubt please the Venom legions. It’s following a well-worn blueprint and benefits from a production, which may just be slightly over polished if you want this music dark and dirty. It’s solid, pleasingly heavy, and whilst it doesn’t set the world on fire mainly due to it being a little on the long side, there’s enough here for most metal fans to at least stick with it for a full run through.
Second opinion (Sean): Venom Inc are back…in black! Since the first single from the new album, There’s Only Black dropped and watching their awesome Bloodstock performance, I’ve been looking forward to when I could blast the full LP.
There’s lots of surprises on There’s Only Black and even though guitar legend Jeff “Mantas” Dunn pioneered the early black metal style, it would narrow-minded to label Venom Inc as solely black metal. The core riffing is straight-up no bullshit thrash flavoured with classic NWOBHM-esque flair, harking back to Dunn and frontman Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan’ days in the 80s. Tracks like opener “How Many Can Die” and latest single “Come to Me” are just some of the hooky headbangers here. The album has a dark vibe, though not so much in a blasphemous horror sense. The subject matter here is much more real. There’s Only Black’s title track exemplifies this with Dolan’s eerie whispering growls over the more mid-paced riffing as he describes battling with death.
Surprises come in the form of the various clean guitar moments juxtaposed with breakneck thrashing introduced in first single “Don’t Feed Me Your Lies”. The tense, foreboding intro, drenched in delay, bursts into the furious legato main riff. The speed and technicality is unexpected but much welcome as it commands instant rage. Another unexpected example comes in “Burn Liar Burn” – the clean guitar intro giving a more melodic feel building into even more intense thrashing. The pounding beats come courtesy of new sticksman Jeramie “War Machine” Kling who’s a killer addition, elevating the band with his chops behind the kit.
Overall There’s Only Black is an awesome sophomore record that packed with catchy riffs and shout-along moments that’s certain to make you move. With more raging intensity than before, There’s Only Black truly stands Venom Inc apart from their previous projects. The classics will always be killer but this is even better, and long may it continue.
There’s Only Black is out on 23rd September
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