Album review: WARGASM – Venom

WARGASM have a thirst for violence. A glossy, sexy, action movie kind of violence, to be more specific. They create it in their live shows, where their pissed off, electro-tinged nu-metal ragers are primed for opening the pit up, but on the flipside, they’ve also got an army of detractors who become violently irritated at the thought of them. Despite their Marmite qualities, they’ve continually thrived – after all, bands only go from the Underworld to the O2 Forum Kentish Town in a year if they’re doing something right.

Venom is arguably the biggest and heaviest WARGASM have ever sounded, as well as the most creative. It boasts a plethora of smart new ideas, from a flirtation with ’90s pop and R&B on the swaggering Sonic Dog Tag and skeletal, sinister electronics on Ride The Thunder (not to mention the large dose of Nine Inch Nails worship throughout). The title-track’s growling riffs, meanwhile, are some of their best ever, even if it throws a bit too much paint at the canvas.

When they’re more straightforward, it pays off – the chunky Bang Ya Head’s simple mission to be both catchy and heavy easily succeeds, especially with an outlandish guest verse from Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst, while Outrage is explosive in both its riffs and energy. It makes for a satisfying, feisty record made for blasting loud enough to annoy the neighbours, and for partying the existential dread away. This band’s not cooling down anytime soon.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Nine Inch Nails, BLACKGOLD, VUKOVI

Venom is released on October 27 via Republic

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