Hammerhead

Released in order to support the full-length album 'Fallen Angels', Venom's 'Hammerhead' is a rock-heavy anthem to all things metal, and metalhead-related. At this point in their careers, Venom have nothing to prove, being one of the most influential bands that the genre has ever seen. As I noted when listening to 'Fallen Angels' however, their music nowadays feels more like a band attempting to cater to their existing fanbase, rather than offering something fresh to metal, 'Hammerhead' and its b-side 'Hail Satanas' will be nothing new for anyone who has heard much Venom before, but neither are poor tracks. The first track of this single is one of the most memorable tunes from the album, a mid-tempo rocker calling out to all followers of black metal. While the lyrics ('black metal's in your soul') are often cheesy to the point of kitsch, it's plenty of fun. 'Hail Satanas' will be even less of a surprise to Venom fans; yet another song in tribute to the man downstairs himself. Cronos is the leading man in both tracks, and while the bass is the least audible instrument, his voice is the most distinctive aspect that Venom has going for them at this point. Sadly, his voice can fall flat at times, particularly during the chorus of 'Hail Satanas'. Venom's new material is not particularly impressive, but it hasn't left a bad taste in my mouth. Most of the songs on the full-length follow the formula laid out by these two, so the single works as a solid sampler in any case.