Frontiers Records [release date 17.04.15]
Venom is the tenth studio album from Impellitteri and their first since “Wicked Maiden” back in 2009. My last dealings with Chris Impellitteri, however, were way back in 1988 with his debut “Stand In Line” album and I believe I only purchased this due to the fact that one Graham Bonnet was vocalist at the time.
Chris Impellitteri was one of the group of speed guitarists, alongside Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman etc, who liked nothing better than showing how fast they could solo. The style of “Venom” has not altered one iota from this premise.
Returning alongside Chris is founding vocalist Rob Rock, long term bassist James Pulli and a new drummer in Jon Dette.
Title track Venom kicks things off as the the album means to go on … over the top shredding, hi-pitched vocal screams and solos which seem to be at a higher volume than the main song itself…
Nightmare is the best song on here as it has a little more melody and variation than anything else on offer. Jehova is an overtly religious number where the chorus just consists of “Jehova” over and over again … not sure what happened to the final “h” either…
Venom just doesn’t work for me … it’s all very dated (could have been the follow up to the 1988 debut even) and the screechy shredding solos take priority over any actual tune.
…as for the cover…well…it’s just creepy!
One for fans of speed metal only … **
Review by Phil Berisford
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
