The Venom Assembly

Overall Impression
With a name such as "Venom", I think it's fair to expect a fair bit of bite in this new heavy metal tune by rockers "The Venom Assembly", and having listened to the track a few times now I think it's safe to say they most certainly deliver. Boasting chugging riffs galore, soaring vocal performances, an unrelenting sense of groove, and technique-filled lead guitar breaks, "Venom" manages to capture the raw and unapologetic attitude of the hard-rock and metal genres perfectly and treats listeners to a no-holds-barred, distortion-drenched, bombast-filled listening experience that pulls no punches. Between its chest-pumping percussive elements and deliciously meaty riff-work, "Venom" is able to offer metal lovers a thoroughly worthwhile slice of attitude-filled songwriting that I'm sure will go down a blast when performed in front of a live crowd.


Strongest Point(s)
At the front and center of any successful rock and metal tune, there is always a strong and commanding vocal presence and thankfully this is no different in "Venom". Possessing both the range and power needed to project their presence and hold their own against the dense instrumental backdrop, the vocals not only manage to do a sterling job, but they also manage to capture the spirit of the genre brilliantly. The supporting performances are of equally high quality and between the groove-injected guitar work and the rhythmic tightness provided by both the bass and drums, "Venom" is able to hit particularly hard. The arrangement, whilst following a straightforward structure is no less effective, and the overall flow and way in which each distinct section seamlessly transitions from one another allows the momentum of the track to be successfully maintained throughout, resulting in an energy-filled, heart-raising collection of engaging performances and compelling creative ideas throughout.


Target Audience Appeal
"Venom" is a hard-hitting heavy metaller and I'm sure lovers of the genre will find it to be a worthwhile listening experience.


Artist target suggestions
Judas Priest, Halford, Primal Fear, Ozzy Osbourne, My Darkest Days, Rev Theory, HELLYEAH, Damageplan, Motorhead, Anthrax, Halestorm, Theory Of A Deadman



About The Reviewer
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.



Reviewer Comments (artist's eyes only)
Whilst the overall recording and mix are servicable, there is a slight abrasiveness to the production that I think could do with some slight smoothing out. Some corrective EQ is perhaps needed to tame some of the harsher top-end frequencies that are creeping in at times and some better volume leveling is needed in places. The bass for example feels rather buried in the mix and is struggling to push through at times.


This is purely my own subjective opinion of course and just the way my ears are hearing things. I still found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable tune and I certainly enjoyed my time with it. Solid work! - Radio Air Play

Overall Impression
Pennsylvania-based quartet The Venom Assembly deliver edge-of-your-seat, high-octane metal with their release of "Deep." Brutal riffs and technically demanding leads meet punishing drums and throbbing bass lines on this exciting track that sets the bar for hard-hitting contemporary heavy metal. Aggressive yet melodic vocals are complemented here by intricate arpeggios, shifting rhythms and screaming solos, culminating in a hair-raising climactic ending that is sure to leave listeners breathless. Expert musicianship and a potent sound make The Venom Assembly's "Deep" an absolute must-listen for any rock or metal fan, and is available now as a single on all major music streaming platforms.


Strongest Point(s)
Outstanding production, fantastic mix. Great tonal balance and full use of the sonic spectrum. Sounds amazing at loud levels. Excellent song structure; nice contrast between verse and chorus, and great intro and outro sections that each have their own individual musical character. Love the accelerando/crescendo that ramps up the intro, as well as the epic finish that ends the tune on a bit of a dramatic cliff-hanger. Rhythm section is locked tight throughout in a series of terrific hard rock grooves. Tremendous guitar tones and technique; great variety of complementary parts, very well mixed with good separation. Stellar vocal performance and production. Great melodic sense and rock swagger, and a catchy hook in the chorus. Nice job of stacking and filtering vocal tracks to get a full, rich sound without sacrificing clarity. Lyrical content works really well here in this context, and should resonate with rock audiences. Again, really great ending that crosses into prog-metal territory, closing out the track on a bang. Overall this is an awesome bit of modern metal that draws from several different sources and styles to create something that is both unique and incredibly compelling. Brilliant work on this one, by all involved!


Target Audience Appeal
Fans of Pop/Rock, Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Alternative Metal, Progressive Metal


Artist target suggestions
Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Anthrax, Sepultura, Kyuss, Deftones, Machine Head, Slayer, Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold, Monster Magnet, System of a Down, Clutch, Mastodon, Death Angel, Annihilator



About The Reviewer
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers. - radio airplay

Overall Impression:
Delivering powerful, darkly toned Heavy Metal riffs and rough-hewn vocals with an excellent sense for dramatics, The Venom Assembly strikes back to the origins of Metal, and the primordial sonic stew when it and Rock were still intrinsically entwined. Save Your is a pounding rocker driven by a chugging rhythm section, throbbing drums, and screaming electric lead, brimming with relentless power chords and wild solos, and guided along by raw lead vocals that alternate between twisted candidness and stadium style force, in a fascinatingly uncanny duet. Intense from beginning to end, packed with instrumental prowess, and bursting with interesting compositional choices Save Your is an excellent eerie, high energy listen for anyone who prefers the heavier side of things.


Strongest Point(s):
The Venom Assembley's vocal arrangements for Save Your are excellent, with the back and forth between male and female parts marking the song as unique from the start, and the secondary chanted "save your" and "get out"s adding a special sense of gravitas and impact. Most importantly, each individual vocal section and harmony is perfectly placed to feed off one another and pass audience attention back and forth, keeping the track tight and focused, and helping with its ultimate build of intensity to the final solo beginning at approximately 4.03, riding high to the song's feedback laden conclusion. With each musician involved deftly in full control of their instrument, Save Your does a superb job of providing tons of interest without detracting from the exquisite effectiveness of its base melody, an aptitude mirrored in the piece's soloing flair, which incorporates plenty of dizzying prowess, that much more appreciated due to the contrast of interspersed slower segments which serve to further ground the song.



Target Audience Appeal:
Save Your is an excellent track for anyone who is a fan of Metallica, or heavier, with the potential for appeal across Mainstream Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, and even Progressive Metal, depending on the complexity of The Venom Assembley's future compositions. The band will definitely want to look to book mid to large sized performance venues that will give their sound ample room, although that isn't to say blowing out the occasional dive over the holidays can't be a good time. Also a good fit for an outdoor, nighttime festival slot (given appropriate engineering support,) Save Your is a great hard hitter within a larger album of work, and holds plenty of golden opportunities for crowd participation and extended improvised soloing during a live show.


Artist target suggestions:
Metallica, Black Label Society, Halestorm, Pop Evil, The Pretty Reckless, Megadeath, Iron Maiden, Through Fire, Judas Priest, Slayer, Pantera



About the Reviewer:
Mary Wildsmith is an FM Radio DJ, and has been involved in both on-air work and radio production for five and a half years, in addition to working the past decade in and out of the live entertainment industry. She has experience with the fickle nature of the music industry, selecting singles to promote or discard for radio play, and engineering stage to audience sound systems. Having worked balancing, troubleshooting, and running audio rigs has enabled her to be both sensitive, and sympathetic, to the finesse and nuance of quality recording. Mary is passionate about promoting new and independent artists, and has spent extensive time in round-table environments discussing music and audio critically, and collaborating with artists to enable them to put the best possible foot forward with their art. - Radio Airplay

Overall Impression:
The Venom Assembly pulls from tried and true tones to create a sound that feels at once classic and current, their original track, "Mark of Red", delivering a perfect cocktail of brightly distorted guitar riffs and nostalgia-steeped Rock grooves beneath a lyrical tale of fearful discovery. Well-shredded guitars mingle with nearly crazed vocal deliveries to elicit a sense of mania, gripping listeners with artfully assembled madness throughout the musically intense depths of "Mark of Red".



Strongest Point(s):
The Venom Assembly manages to drop a sound that's intense by nature, but with a sense of creative identity that doesn't take itself too seriously. The result is a rich and engaging experience - made all the more impactful by the incredible skill behind the sound. Massive guitar tones and incredible licks make up the bulk of the track's presence, tied off nicely by the slightly deranged vocal deliveries and unsettling lyrics. Incorporating the sound clips at the beginning and end provide an entertaining bit of playful character to the sound as well. Well done!



Target Audience Appeal:
Those who love their guitar parts set to "shred" will fall headlong into the work that The Venom Assembly is producing, finding an interesting creative balance between the Heavy Metal tones of old and the Punk-adjacent Nu Metal sounds of today. "Mark of Red" treats listeners to a bold and well made glimpse of the band's creative drives, provoking a watchful eye towards The Venom Assembly's current and future efforts! - Jon W.




Artist target suggestions:
Atreyu, Rush, Coheed & Cambria, My Chemical Romance, Rage Against The Machine, Dream Theater, Accept, Warkings, Dio, Killswitch Engage, Armored Saint, Pantera, 10 Years, Dance Gavin Dance, Breaking Benjamin, The Used, Thrice, All That Remains




About the Reviewer:
Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process - from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists in a wide variety of genres. - Radio Airply

Overall Impression:
Breaking free from its cage with an all-consuming riff from Hell, "Monster" puts listeners at the mercy of The Venom Assembly's brilliantly overdriven beast within! Lyrically exploring the infectious influence of one on another, "Monster" paints internal darkness in a bright light - complimenting the tune's central hook with an irrefragable keyboard lead and flanking it on either side with a mob of dutifully-chugging strings and skins.



Strongest Point(s):
"Monster" bears an undeniable sense of levity - brilliantly juxtaposed against the lyrical structure and content. Killer theme, and a great execution both in terms of lyric and part writing - as well as surrounding effects and additions. The roaring sound sample feels just right for the track's tone, making a perfect bookend to the experience. Wonderfully bright riffs in the pre-chorus, and the key lead works wonders in this chorus specifically. Delightfully ominous organ in the bridge, and the quintessential shred session into the outtro is sublime. Excellent sound, massive energy!



Target Audience Appeal:
Fearsome in its instrumental impact, but flat out fun in its execution, "Monster" promises to resonate well among listeners in the Metal community, with a specific appeal towards fans of the classics! The Venom Assembly prove in every release to be a passionately creative and powerfully skilled band, and "Monster" takes it a step further, inviting listeners from all backgrounds to join in for a bout of cleverly crafted, playful brutality. - Jon W.



Artist target suggestions:
Motörhead, Avenged Sevenfold, Pantera, Halestorm, Shinedown, Sick Puppies, Ra, Stone Sour, Seether, Sabaton, Plini, Polyphia, Pop Evil, Breaking Benjamin, Slayer, Disturbed, Alter Bridge, Daughtry, Mötley Crüe, Five Finger Death Punch, Rob Zombie, Intervals, KISS, TOOL



About the Reviewer:
Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process - from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists in a wide variety of genres. - radio airplay

Overall Impression:
The Venom Assembly brings classic tones to modern fruition, delivering a colossal Alt. Metal ballad with emotionally salient depths and artfully frenzied highs in the original track, "Enemy"! Beginning with modestly understated melodic movements, "Enemy" swells into an impressive, impactful expression of controlled chaos - escorting listeners on a journey through a soundscape wrought of comfortingly familiar Rock tones and grippingly frantic energies.



Strongest Point(s):
The contrast between the softer, melodic verses and the harrowing choruses is impressive - allowing the heavier portions to land even harder. The impact at 2:36 is a greatly engaging moment. Wonderful instrumental tones, especially the lead guitar. Immensely well-performed solo at 2:50, favoring expressivity over rhythmic precision but in a way that mirrors the artistic energy of the track well. Massive bass sound, with the fills at 3:41 inspiring a visceral response. The guitar displays an excellent descent into chaos through the end of the track, bolstered by impeccable drumming, both in terms of accuracy and dynamic expression.



Target Audience Appeal:
"Enemy" carries a tone that hearkens back to the greats of the genre while the artistic energies of The Venom Assembly feel fresh and presently relevant. The result is a track that stands to appeal to fans of the titans that paved the way while offering a fount of currently-crafted creativity for those fans to tap into - inspiring a resurgence of Metal heads young and old and a sizeable following for the efforts of The Venom Assembly. - Jon W.



Artist target suggestions:
Motörhead, Pop Evil, Breaking Benjamin, Slayer, Disturbed, Alter Bridge, Daughtry, Mötley Crüe, Five Finger Death Punch, Rob Zombie, Intervals, Pantera, Halestorm, Shinedown, Sick Puppies, Ra, Stone Sour, Seether, Sabaton, Avenged Sevenfold, Plini, Polyphia, Van Halen



About the Reviewer:
Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process - from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists in a wide variety of genres. - Radio Airplay