Artist: Venom
Label: Steamhammer
Release Date: 6/6/00
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Title: Resurrection Artist: Venom Label: Steamhammer Release Date: 6/6/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
I must admit that I've never been the biggest Venom fan out there. Considering the music I enjoy most, that strikes many as being very strange. Venom has inspired more Black Metal and Death Metal bands than probably any other band. So while I appreciate Venom as a major influence on metal, I must concede that they very rarely make their way onto my CD player. Having been out of touch with them for awhile, it seems they've modified their sound a bit over the years, and I must say they've created a cool little old school record here.
The speed and almost punk like dirges from their early days as a NWOBHM band seems to have given way to a more mid-tempo straight forward Heavy Metal. The song structures seem pretty much the same, as does (unfortunately) the production. The guitars are thickened up a bit from their olden days, but still sound a little thin. Instead of getting knocked down by a wall of sound, your ears are just slightly pushed by an adequate, if not overpowering, guitar sound.
"I recommend this for fans, but anyone else might want to wait for your friend to get it first." There are some cool riffs on this album, however, and the songwriting is of a pretty high caliber, even if they don't blow me away. My favorite track, "All There is Fear," blends a catchy chorus with a understated, but driving guitar riff that makes good use of artificial harmonics. This is a standout on an album with no truly terrible songs (well "Control Freak" comes close) and a few pretty cool ones, but the majority are just a little too unmemorable.
It's interesting to hear the Black Metal inspired synthesizer in "War Against Christ," as the master seems to have learned something from its students. Since keyboards were pretty much taboo in metal in the early eighties, it seems we have come full circle. I recommend this for fans, but anyone else might want to wait for your friend to get it first.
Death's Review:
Even though "Black Metal" isn't really black metal, Venom had a profound impact upon the evolution of the modern day black, thrash and death subgenres. More importantly, bands like Venom in the early eighties contributed mightily to the genesis of what will forever after be referred to as the metal underground. However, unlike their contemporaries such as Motorhead and Mercyful Fate, Venom has never been able to "burst through" in the twilight of their careers to the quasi-mainstream acceptance which comes with the legendary status to which their past efforts most certianly entitle them. All in all, when it comes to Twenty-First Century glory, Venom gets sold a bit short.
"If you are looking for another classic Venom record, I'm not sure this is it." This new release, featuring two-thirds of the classic lineup, probably won't change that sad fact. The album still sports a pretty raw sound and features Cronos' tongue-waggling delivery. But other than that, I just don't hear the creativity and songwriting skills displayed on say, Welcome to Hell. So if you are looking for another classic Venom record, I'm not sure this is it. But if analyzed apart from the Venom catalogue, Resurrection is a decent new metal release. Staccatto riffing and lots of double-bass get this one over the hump and into the realm of a solid effort. And that's really all you're gonna get here. If it's the Venom of a higher plane you're looking for, go watch your dusty old Ultimate Revenge video.
Hel's Review:
To say that I am an authority on Venom would be a blatant exaggeration. While I've had occasional moderate contact with Venom through others, on those occasions I never became hooked enough to make the effort to explore further on my own. So I come into this album not with the ear of an expert, but with one of the general metal fan amenable to the legendary Venom.
As such, I truly enjoyed listening to this album. "All There is Fear" is an extremely entertaining track, and I was struck by its groovy straightforward metal vibe. Throughout the disc, you will find impressive musicianship. That's not a particularly astounding observation. Generally, when folks play this level of music for this long, they've got pretty solid skills. But the jaded metalhead needs to pause for a moment anyway, and just appreciate it.
"It is certainly worthwhile for the well-rounded metalhead's collection." I'm not sold on the singer, and this is basically the thing that has always prevented me from becoming fully hooked on Venom. As I have always made clear, whether or not I like a band ultimately hinges on the vocals. And Cronos' gravelly snarl just doesn't do it for me. But, based on the rest of the merits of the band, I have to say this is quite a fine album. If you were to ask me if you ought to buy it, I would tell you that it is certainly worthwhile for the well-rounded metalhead's collection.
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