Venom announce new album 'Into Oblivion' and share first single • GRIMM Gent

VENOM needs no introduction, from their birth in Newcastle in ’79 they paved the way for extreme metal and created their own genre, black metal. Which is arguably more popular now than it has ever been globally, with their influence ever far reaching as the originators.

Into Oblivion is Venom’s sixteenth studio album and features the long-standing line up of Cronos (bass/vocals and founding member), Rage (guitar) and Dante (drums) and marks their first new recordings since 2018’s, Storm The Gates. Into Oblivion consists of thirteen songs that are signature Venom: heavy, evil and catchy. There’s a combination of their classic 80’s sound adjacent to a more modern, progressive approach but without losing any of their fire and brimstone of old.

The album has been in the works for some years now, but a number of factors held back its completion until now; the Covid pandemic, recording setbacks and the hunger to nail it to perfection, but in the words of Cronos ‘This album has really pushed the boundaries, but if you want to make a killer album, you pay for it in blood, sweat and tears.’ However, Venom true to form have overcome adversity to release an album worthy of their legacy as Rage affirms ‘I’m so proud of this album, it’s astounding! It feels so different, yet so familiar. The sonics are a step up, no song sounds the same, but they all work together.’

The lead single, Lay Down You Soul is a thunderous first offering and harks back to the band’s formative years, and the song Black Metal. While being slightly tongue in cheek, it bears all the hallmarks of a soon to be live classic with its rousing sing-along chorus. Cronos states, ‘I think it’s healthy to recognise things from back in the day and bring them into a new setting that gives it a whole fresh approach. The fans are going to go mental for it!’

The chemistry on Into Oblivion is undeniable and is a musical testament to the longevity of this lineup, which now eclipses any other, clocking in at seventeen years. Dante clicks his fingers, ‘It’s gone like that, seventeen years! It’s all down to friendship and mutual respect.’

Into Oblivion will be released on May 1st via Noise/BMG and is available for preorder now and is available in these formats:

Double, gatefold smoke vinyl
Double, gatefold clear, black & red splatter vinyl (Limited Edition)
CD digisleeve with 16-page booklet
Digital

Preorders of both vinyl and CD will come with a limited photo card, signed by Cronos, Dante and Rage only from the Noise Records store, while stocks last!