Artist: Venom
Title: Fallen Angels
Type: Album
Label: Spinefarm

I love Venom and I’ve shouted their praises at anyone within earshot since the mid-80s. However even an ardent supporter like myself struggled a little with the last Venom studio album, Hell. Sure, I worked at it and found things to appreciate, but I haven’t tried too hard to convince unbelievers of its worth. Something was missing on Hell, something essentially Venom had fallen by the wayside. In our recent interview Cronos put that down to the nu-metal influenced drumming of his brother Antton and on reflection there’s some mileage in that theory. Antton has since departed the ranks and, adding weight to Cronos’ observations, the spirit of Venom is most definitely back.

Fallen Angels is the best Venom album since...well, at least Cast In Stone and possibly even Possessed. From the first attitude-ridden opening guitar riff of ‘Hammerhead’ it’s obvious that Fallen Angels is the real deal. The production is noisy and bass heavy – just the way it should be – and those unmistakeable bass slides and demonic cackles from Cronos regularly punctuate the glorious filth. There is no misguided attempt to compete with modern extreme metal; this is simply Venom doing what they do best with a sneer and a two-fingered salute to current expectations.

If there is any justice in this world it’s a defiant stance that should see the band once more becoming a powerful force in metal. For too long Venom have just been respected for their influence on the likes of Metallica, Slayer and the population of Norway – Fallen Angels should once more see them lauded for their current achievements and not only their hugely impressive legacy. When you listen to songs like ‘Damnation Of Souls’ there is no denying that the band have recovered everything that made them great. From the wicked adrenaline rush of ‘Nemesis’ to the belligerent bass driven swagger of ‘Punk’s Not Dead’ to the epic grandeur of ‘Fallen Angels’ itself, this is one of the most consistently excellent collection of songs to appear under the Venom banner in many a long year. With guitarist Rage and new, hard-hitting drummer Dante, Cronos has assembled a team that can write a new, glorious chapter in the story of one of the greatest metal bands ever to stalk the earth.

http://www.venomslegions.com

Chris Kee

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