This album represents 20 years of grindcore, hardcore and punk joined together for ‘Venomous Concept’s’ second album. Those not familiar with the band name will surely recognise the band members of this mini-super group, namely Shane Embury (guitar, ‘Napalm Death’), Kevin Sharp (vocals, ‘Brutal Truth’), Dan Lilker (bass, ‘Nuclear Assault’ & ‘Brutal Truth’) and topped off with Danny Herrera (drums, ‘Napalm Death’). However, Buzz Osbourne from ‘The Melvins’ is still a member of the band for live shows on guitar. From the word go, this one is something of a little cracker!
‘Drop Dead’ and ‘Water Cooler’ are full on heads-down numbers, brandishing all the values that you would expect from these guys, with many grindcore influences. ‘Stupid’ is a full on bashing classic hardcore punk barrage. ‘A Case of the Mondays’ comes along perfectly, an angry assault. ‘Half Full’ has the kind of start to the track that makes you think you know what’s coming next, unlucky, they have a different approach, not the full on balls-out attack you would be expecting, the pounding comes later in the track. ‘Hero’ grinds out the anger and just unleashes chaos. Speaking of the track ‘Chaos’, it sounds like the bass strings are being smacked for all they are worth; they are loud in the mix in a good way. The drum patterns on the track ‘Life’ does please the ears, it’s all done in the right place at the right time.
Coming in at just under the 34 minute mark, it does not need to be any longer, this is what as fans we expect from this genre. By the end of the album, you feel exhausted. Play this album in the car, and you better check for the police or speed cameras, it does make you throttle down a little bit more!
The tracks are not complex, they do not need to be, and they are straight to the point with a very natural flow throughout the album. There is no technical wizardry on the guitar, bass or drums, it says it all by what you have here, brutality in its simplest form.
If you like albums like ‘Napalm Death’s – Scum or FETO’ and ‘Repulsion’s - Horrified’ or even anything by ‘Discharge’ etc…you will love this! The old school style hardcore/punk is still alive, and if you try to stop it, you will likely get a smack in the face. This album is pure class in mammoth proportions. ‘Venomous Concept’ would be a great band to see live, hopefully this will happen soon!
http://www.myspace.com/venomousconcept
http://www.centurymedia.com
