Heavy Metal
  UK

Released 1st of May, 2026

It is with no hesitation or doubt that VENOM are among the most influential bands in extreme metal. Although it is through no effort of the Newcastle legends themselves, theirs is a sound that was embraced most by those in many of the spin-off genres since VENOM first erupted in 1979.
Immediately recognisable and often cited as a major influence, VENOM’s road is more rocky than paved in gold.

With splits, spats and seething snipes, the messy divorce that resulted with this band and Venom Inc both defending their claim to the Venom name left us kids in the middle with double the darkness to enjoy. I won’t get into any camp’s points or politics, it’s bad enough with the Cavalera/Sepultura circus.
As Jack Nicholson once said… “Why can’t we all just get along.”

With that said, it’s best if we dive into INTO OBLIVION, the fourth VENOM album with the current lineup of Cronos (vox/bass), Rage (guitar) and Dante (drums), and ignore all that soap opera tomfoolery.

After the eight year wait since the last album’s release (Storm The Gates), it’s hard to ignore that VENOM are channeling a different angle. The tangent is slight, and not just in production, but with INTO OBLIVION, there is a distinct impression that there is a certain fire that needs putting back in a bottle.
From the opening title track, with its double kick thunder and instant chorus hook, to the final notes of the gothic album closer UNHOLY MOTHER, a back to basics approach actually acts as a freshener. With an emphasis on the low end, VENOM have revived an excitement that seemed gone from the band. Also, by excluding any siren call of their peers, the album reclaims their place as progenitors.
LAY DOWN YOUR SOUL is a classic call to arms for metallers and MAN & BEAST has a march of menace that has equal parts panto chic and horns up chug.
Within songs like KICKED OUTTA HELL, LIVE LOUD and DEATHWICH, one cannot ignore the thrash sensibilities, while LEGEND and METAL BLOODY METAL offers teutonic traits that seldom fails to land, especially here.

Yes, the lyrics can be a bit cheesy, and LAY DOWN YOUR SOUL could be mashed up with The Osmonds song, Crazy Horses, but isn’t half the point of all this not caring too much as long as it makes you get lost in the worlds being offered.
You can’t take everything so seriously, or else you miss where the fun is coming from.

INTO OBLIVION is one of the strongest albums to come from VENOM. It knows what it needs to do and does it in a most joyous and proficient way.
If you ignore all the bickering and barking back and forth bollocks, you get an equal counter and bedfellow to the disparate yet essential Venom Inc. album, There’s Only Black.
Like a child with shared parenting, I’ll take a double treat day, any day.

INTO OBLIVION by VENOM is out now via Noise Records on all major streaming sites.

Physical formats are available from the Noise Records website here.