INTERVIEW WITH TONY DOLAN from VENOM INC.

Well... I just had the honour of talking to Venom Inc. front man Tony (The Demolition Man) Dolan about about the huge news that they have been singed to Nuclear Blast Records....  For those that may not be aware Venom Inc... features original Venom founding members Tony Bray (Abbadon) Jeff Dunn (Mantas) and of cours bass player / vocalist Tony Dolan (who replaced Chronos after the original lineup of Venom fell apart in the mid 80's)


You just broke the news that Venom Inc. will be signed to Nuclear Blast Records.... This is a big fucking deal!!! so whats the plan of action from here?
Yes, well, we were already working towards the album demos so now it is all systems go to get the albums completed and out as soon as possible..as we have a full year of touring already looming...

Venom pretty much shaped every black /death / thrash heads childhood does it get weird when people come up to you and ask you wierd shit like im doing now?
Hahahahaha.....we were ALL from an extreme area of industry at a shit time so it shaped all of us...is it weird? No, it is humbling to us all and an honor that anyone has influenced anyone through their art

I have heard on the interwebs you guys and Chronos aren't exactly seeing eye to eye with the usage of the name 'Venom' are you going to keep using this name and what are your thoughts on Chronos' protestations?
A: No thoughts at all, he can moan for the rest of his time if that makes him feel happy, we are just doing our thing and the rest is of no importance. Seeing eye to eye? Well, we just tell the real story, he chooses a kind of strange series of alternating facts. The official biog on his site that he administers himself has changed 6 times in 10yrs so it is hard to keep up to be honest. He does what he does and hopefully he still does it well but beyond that we don't care. The name was given to us and the logo we use is the one Abaddon designed originally with the addition of Inc. We don't do as he does and spend time in interviews and onstage to audiences, disrespecting anyone...it's just not who we are..

A little about yourself Tony.... what musicians inspired you to play as a young fellow?
I was raised on Rock N Roll, then lived during the Glam period in the UK as we as hearing the likes of Kiss and Aerosmith etc...when we moved to Canada in the mid 70's but truly, I was inspired by the US punk outfit the Dickies, who pay fast and furious in 1978!! Then I heard Motorhead and it was a over...THAT bass...THAT Man...I was sold. Many bassists are influential to me but to just get up and play it was him and his band...When I formed my own Metal band I thought...what if the speed of the Dickies met the sheer volume and power of Motorhead...and years later, who would have guessed what was to happen in our musical world

How important is the spiritual aspect of music for you ???..... I believe I read somewhere that you are a satanist (don't worry I am one too.... and I won't tell anyone...) is this a sideline or a core aspect of your life and music?
CORE....how important....it IS ALL

You started playing bass in a band called Atomkraft... What was life like then and how has it progressed now (you had great hair back then by the way!!!)?
Hahaha...great not sure but hair...ahhhh yes...lol. I started as Guitar/Vocals but switched to bass/vocals when we lost our bassist before some shows...and never looked back. Life was adventurous then and full of excitement and hope...now? It is exciting and full of pleasure...I was rushing to eat up the word back then and it passed too fast...now I am taking my time to dine properly

How did you get involved in Venom in the first place?
I was waking down the street when.......lol. We had a close association since the start and when Cronos wanted to move away from the heavy dark stuff and be more like the Dave Lee Roth kind of thing...he left and there was a deal on offer...I was approached by Abaddon (who had been part managing my other band and also had just completed a tour with us as tour manager...and along with the Venom Manager...they offered me the job. They thought I was best qualified in Knowledge and style...I then helped bring Mantas back as I said there had to be 2 for it to be legitimate in my eyes...and WE were born again.,

What do you think about the black metal bands of today? Most of which are influenced by Venom... Do you feel any affinity with them?
Do I? No...are we ALL connected...hell yes...as a father teaches the  son or daughter to take what he has done and make it better and expand on it...so goes the influence...in all things extreme, they all followed the path laid by Venom and Motorhead but influenced along the way by King Diamond, Chuck Schulder, Bathory, Tom Warrior etc etc....the greatest thing...they made Black Metal, the genre, their own and a proud style of extreme music...THAT is incredible

Regarding Jeff.... Can you give us some background on what makes him tick? Fave bands? influneces etc.... he is a ground breaking gutiar player and many would like to know!
Tea.....Martial Arts.....his music...playing...he lives to pay his guitar...a prolific writer, always doodling riffs..lol. He now has his home studio and is into producing BIG time...loves it...spends days in that cave hahaha....fave bands? He Loves KISS but main, Judas Priest...influences are many favs...Gary Moore  and Zak Wild he likes a lot but direct influence? There can be only on and that is KK Downing....He never see's himself and groundbreaking but that is why he is my brother....I like humble...when so many are arrogant for no reason deserved...he is not...

I'm not sure if this question effects you or the other guys in the band but obviously venom influenced some big bands (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth ... and not to mention my own band hahah) does it shit you up the wall to see these dudes become world wide sensations? I don't think venom ever got the recognition they deserved from either the original lineup or the lineup that you were in? What's  your thoughts on this?
Well, I think for them more than me that does smart a little but it was just situations and decisions that were to blame...as friends and peers...I think there is always the greatest respect....and NOW anyway....We will be joining them again....albeit a tad later than expected but...we always prefer to make and entrance!! lol We are the guys who don't care whose party it is...we'll come take everything anyway....

In regards to M:PIRE of EVIL (the guys last band before rebranding to "Venom Inc...") how would you say the sound and playing has progressed?:
We we still have that album almost competed so we' get to that too..we are not that band re-branded as this band...that band is different, we do what we want...in every way...unrestricted...and that may seem odd as if VENOM INC is restricted but what I mean is...there is no particular theme with the one and a definite theme with the other...Musically....we have liberties we may expand on with M:PIRE we will not with VENOM..

Your predecessor (Chronos) was an intimidating and larger than life front man... I would love to hear how you stepped to the plate and faced the music as the new front man of venom... it must have been scary!
Scary???Ahahaha...erm no...I/m not trying to be disrespectful at all but I wasn't on the same side of the fence as you...so for me...intimidating? No...larger than life? Yes...Funny, nuts...always jumping around...all of that has gone now of course...and it's a shame but...who cares...life moves on...I never gave him a thought once...I don't FOLLOW people....I am just ME...that's what you get....I was me when I came in...because I was me before...I left as me and I am here as me..like it...good..thanx , cool, don't ok...no worries...see ya..., we all have things we like and dislike..that's the beauty of life..always full of choice.,...I joined as me and wrote my songs and attacked the old songs with the passion I felt for them....just like I do now...I play from the heart and with honesty and the songs need to be slammed into you not done as a cabaret medley, this was never the Rolling Stones...hahaha

Your recently announced Sign up with Nuclear Blast could really put your guys back on the map and show a lot of young players (and even a former member) how its really done... Is there anything you have in mind that will stamp the boot of trad metal down on their faces? Whats the plan? I hope Nuclear Blast gives you guys the respect you deserve!
NB are the best...we ALL know that and I have wanted them for over 8 years for us and 15yrs before....loyalty is all and we will deliver the best we can possibly give...This band is REAL...this band MEANS it and this band will show why Metal was and is and will be so important to generation after generation of young people who need to feel less alone and that when you need to scream....you can....louder than anything and heavier than you thought possible.....all anyone has to do is join us....and feel it burst right into your soul....ALL HAIL

RAKE OFF, IMPAVIDUS AND CYBER HATE album reviews

Rake-Off from Italy play short sharp bursts of angry hardcore... The guys play well tough and do a convincing job with some quite tight and to the point bursts which stay entertaining the whole way through. The boys got together out of various bands from the local scene at the start of 2016 and by the end of the year had recorded and released the demo you see linked underneath this review. This is a well produced and great sounding little affair too, which serves well as a demo and a great teaser for whats to come next....... I gather it was only released on a limited run cassette late 2016 but now made available through bandcamp real cheap. This might appeal to fans of madball, agnostic front and the like. You could do a lot worse than give this a listen! https://rake-offhc.bandcamp.com/

Impavidus formed out of the UK in 2015 but even though they are a new unit the members have all previously been in bands and you can tell from the initial listen this is no beginner band! The sound of the sits somewhere along the lines of Arch Enemy with some quite techie music with vocals that sit fairly similarly to that of Angela Gossow, but with some clean vocals thrown in which I think gives the music a bit more of an accessible and memorable edge than just being an "Arch Enemy" clone, which lets face it a lot of bands tend to do! Anyway this here is their debut EP which was recorded in 2016 for your enjoyment! https://impavidus.bandcamp.com/album/impavidus

Cyber Hate: Here's something different ,,, its a hard one for me to review (as I don't listen to much in the way of industrial metal) there are a lot of techno parts in this and I can see how this would alienate many listeners but if you can get past that and listen with an open mind this isn't too bad... In fact its quite enjoyable. This is my second listen to it now and I'm starting to understand what the band is trying to achieve. To my ears it reminds me of Korn / Fear Factory in both their metal and techno phases but that's really because I can't think of much to compare it to. When the boys do get rocking there are some really cool metal bits which cross over into melodic metal / death metal territory at times with some great keyboard/ piano work spread through it. It's really a tough one to pin down, with so many different angles that the guys approach things from. Everything is recorded and presented rather professionally and rather easy to listen to. This won't be for everyone by any stretch but these guys are good at what they do and definatley worth having a listen to find out if you like it or not! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYwBtTRFEEA

DEIFIED, SET BEFORE US and ENDLESS CURSE ALBUM REVIEWS

Here's another batch of Heavy Metal Reviews for you! This time round we got Endless Curse from Germany, Set Before Us from Sweden and Deified from the UK! Read on dear listener....

Endless Curse Album review: This is some old school crusty death metal from Germany. I have to confess I listened to the wrong album first (which I think was an earlier demo) and thought to myself "these guys would be pretty cool if only they had decent production" Thankfully by the time I figured out which was their new stuff I was supposed to listen to, the production had improved markedly! I still think this release could benefit from some pro mastering (I think the album was self recorded) but to my delight the musicianship has also improved a long way as at least one of the songs was on both releases and allows this reviewer to compare the progress the band has made. The music is old school death metal in the vein of early death and a million old school death bands (like baphomet, incantation, immolation etc...). Its hardly groundbreaking stuff, but overall a very enjoyable to listen to and great to see bands still doing this stuff .... https://www.youtube.com/user/EndlessCurseTV

Set Before Us are another relatively new band hailing from Stockholm, Sweden... Their sound is a modern death / metalcore with influences like parkway drive / August burns red etc.... the band have been making quite a name for themselves touring Sweden, Germany and the surrounding regions. While this is not my chosen alloy of metal, I have to admit the boys are good at what they do, the songs I've heard are well written played and recorded and more importantly very easy to listen to. Some really cool melodic guitar solos punctuate the dropped down riffage adding some great contrast to whats going on. Some clean vocals and occasional keyboard breaks also spice things up nicely. Definately worth a listen if you're into metalcore but also if you're not into it this could be a great way to get aquainted with what the kids are listening to :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8g4I_FFuhU

Deified..... HOLY CRAP! U.K's Defied have certainly got an intense sound going on ... for my ears it sounds like a cross between death metal / thrash / and tech death... but it is a rather accomplished release. These guys do not piss around and a release like this can only come about through hard work and perseverence... well done guys! Some ultra tech 'angular' riffage (for lack of a better word) and drumming that can stop on a dime and start right back up again like nothing happened. I like this vocalist too ... great projection and presence ... obviously I'm not the only one as it topped the OCZ reader polls a while back.. and more importantly scoring a slot on the BLOODSTOCK metal fest. Over all this is a very classy act and I wish the guys all the best, the future is theirs! Don't take my word for it tho.... check the guys bandcamp page and hear for yourself! https://deifieduk.bandcamp.com/

DEMON INSIDE / EIGHTY88HATE / PROBLEM WITH DRAGONS / KOLD CREATURE REVIEWS

At Obscure Chaos Zine we've been getting a whole heap of material to review... here's some of the latest stuff we've been getting in! links are provided so feel free to check out and listen to some great new bands!

@officialldemonsinside are a Brazillian band that combine a few influences the guitar riffage of pantera and megadeth with some dirty rockin' female vocals. The overall feel of the band reminds me of a band meldrum. The bands aim is to create something unique and they've come pretty close, The band is still relatively new and in some respects probably still finding their feet, but in this short period of time since forming in 2014 have created something pretty cool, and varied (I've been checking out their soundcloud page as well) I look forward to seeing what these guys can do in the future https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUPT02Bh8TM https://www.facebook.com/pg/OfficiallDemonsInside https://soundcloud.com/demons-inside

Eighty88eight are an alternate / rock / metal combo from Milano, Italy formed in 2012 and releasing their first release, Step by Step in 2013 and a second EP which has yet to be released was recorded in 2015 which features this newly recorded video, MONSTER! Its not the heaviest tune that we featured by any means but its not a bad listen at all for those that appreciate the more rockin' alternate end of the metal spectrum. Great sound, riffage and production and an immensly watchable video defainately make this worth checking out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7eDxLUdrro

Problem With Dragons are a doom/sludge band from massachusetts USA... they combine riffage with some dissonant soundscapes its more than just doom tho as there are some faster metallic / punkier bits but all through the album that sludgey doom sonic range is present with lots of delicious feedback. The vocals can be harsh or eeiree/haunting affairs with some cool multilayered effects. This is not going to be for everyone but if you can imagine a cross between earlier bloody kisses era Type O Negative and Pentagram with all your favourate sludge thrown in this may be just the ticket for you! https://problemwithdragons.bandcamp.com/album/starquake

Kold Creature are a vairied and interesting act featuring some heavy and powerful vocals that range from a nu-metally Korn to an older school Testament style heavier vocals... with some quite interesting riffage with a great command of lighter and heavier styles and which might appeal to fans of machine head and some dynamic drumming these lads from Queensland, Australia are making some pretty cool noises .... definatley worth a look and a listen! https://www.reverbnation.com/koldcreature/songs

HEATHEN DEITY - RELIGIOUS PURIFICATION THROUGH FIRE (DEMO REVEIW)

HEATHEN DEITY - RELIGOUS PURIFICATION THROUGH FIRE DEMO

Heathen Deity are Black Metal from Merry old England.... their album starts out with the usual atmospheric intro that many band before them have used.... and then into the real stuff .... nothing unique or particularly groundbreaking but I have to admit the boys are pretty good and know how to construct a good song. Quite solid stuff... Kinda reminds me of Satyricon but most black metal fans would get something out of this.... the third song however starts to set them apart some very emotional old english style acoustic and clean tone electrics make for a very atmospheric listen showing how much talent these guys have. The recording is suitably grim but clean enough to let the listener comprehend what is going on which I think is important... this isn't your usual 'recorded in a toilet demo' it actually sounds pretty good and conveys the black metal feeling rather well.

https://heathendeity.bandcamp.com/…/religious-purification-…

New Releases: August 5th, 2016

Full-length

Bloody Hammers - Lovely Sort of Death

Doom Metal/Hard Rock               

Tarja - The Shadow Self

Symphonic Metal/Rock

Temple Nightside - The Hecatomb

Black/Death Metal         

Ablaze My Sorrow – Black

Melodic Death Metal

Septicflesh - Revolution DNA

Atmospheric/Symphonic Death Metal  

Morphinist – Terraforming

Atmospheric Post-Black Metal  

Fimbultyr - Niddikter

Black/Viking Metal

Necromancing the Stone - Jewel of the Vile

Melodic Death/Thrash/Power Metal     

Dead Nexus - Bound by Flesh     EP          

Thrash/Death Metal

New Releases: August 3st, 2016

Hizaki Grace Project        Rosario Full-length          Symphonic Power Metal             

New Releases: August 1st, 2016

August 1st, 2016

Korgonthurus    Vuohen siunaus              

Full-length          Black Metal        

Lord of Depression / Infernal Sacrament / Tetragrammacide  - Atomic Regurgitation from the Three

Mouths of Humanicidal Hate      Split       Black Metal | Black/Death Metal | Black/Death Metal    

Paganizer            On the Outskirts of Hades            EP           Death Metal      

Acicula - Where Eden Once Lied  Full-length          Melodic Death Metal 

Vukari - Divination            Full-length          Black Metal         

Maleceptor - Chapter 2: The Flesh Harvest      Full-length          Brutal Death Metal 

Mist of Misery   Absence              Full-length          Symphonic Black Metal August 

Skjult     Within the Flesh               Full-length          Black Metal        

Empty   The Last Breath of My Mortal Despair     Full-length          Black Metal         

Stormtide            Wrath of an Empire         Full-length          Symphonic Folk/Death Metal

Woodrue             Low on Luck       Full-length          Sludge/Stoner Metal      

    

Adhaia  Desolación          Full-length          Melodic Thrash/Groove Metal   

    

Leechmilk            Starvation of Locusts      Full-length          Sludge Metal     

Aeranea               The Fading Ones              EP           Doom/Gothic Metal       

New Releases: Some Releases Schedule for December 2016

Titan Force - Winner / Loser Full-length

Progressive Metal/Power Metal              

December 2nd, 2016

Titan Force -Titan Force    Full-length

Progressive Metal/Power Metal              

December 2nd, 2016

Lux Divina - Walk Within the Riddle  Full-length         

Pagan Black Metal          

December 16th, 2016

Appalachian Winter - The Lake and the Mountain   EP    

Symphonic Black Metal December 21st, 2016

New Releases: Early November 2016

The Real Massacre - Tragica Humana Magica 

EP           Dark Death Metal           

November 1st, 2016

Humanity Delete - Fuck Forever Off       

Full-length          Death Metal/Grindcore               

November 6th, 2016

Savage Thrust    Eat 'Em Raw

Full-length          Speed/Thrash Metal     

November 18th, 2016

Ruínas de Sade Ruínas de Sade

EP           Stoner/Doom Metal      

November 30th, 2016