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VENOM Cast In Stone Castle CMQDD1367 (2006)
The mid 90s reformation album. Original members Cronos, Mantas and Abaddon got back together, and fans were pleased too, as to be honest the myriad of Venom line-ups (it’s a complicated history) had produced some right crap along the way.
Problem is by the mid 90s the thrash scene that Venom had part created had changed so much you have to argue at the band’s relevance, whatever the line-up.
Retro in sound - it’s a very 80’s thrash, with Venom taking influence from the bands they influenced 15 years before.
The production is good, solid, modern, the vocals you can actually hear, and it’s a typical Venom wall of noise. No let up. OK thrash that comes over well, mature in places too. And as per the original album there’s a bonus disc of 10 rerecorded classics, with 5 live tracks from the 1996 Dynamo Festival mini album as an extra.
If you want a thrash-induced earache this is the place to come. And as usual the packaging surpassed the music.
***½
Review by Joe Geesin
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