VENOM just keep on going; these old warhorses were here as far back as the early 80’s, when they were the biggest noise in the world, long before thrash and death metal. But time-and hard slog-hasn’t weakened the commitment of their leader and sole surviving founding member Cronos to old-school.

With Rage and Dante now firmly established as the replacement for original members Mantas and Abaddon, VENOM attack this new album 'From The Very Depths' with real gusto.

Obviously it’s not up there with there with 'Welcome To Hell' (1981), 'Black Metal' (1982) and 'At War With Satan' (1984), but with Dante and Rage laying down punk metal inspired beats and riffs, and Cronos a commanding presence, VENOM remain, as ever, true to their harsh attitude.

Musically this is a bit different from their earliest and their latest efforts which were predominantly mid tempo. Now we are in their later 80’s and early 90’s territory when the band had to move to speedier and punkier sound. Given that the title refers to an earlier period (the classic introduction “Ladies and gentlemen, from the very depths of hell… VENOM!”) is a bit of irony, because even best tracks on the new record - 'The Death Of Rock’n’Roll' and 'Long Haired Punks' as far away as possible from the spirit of their classics.

So have they mellowed? No. Have they compromised their sound? No. Have they sold out? Hell no! You’ve got to respect that. This album will hardly go down a storm even in mainland Europe and will probably have only minimal impact in The U.K., but the thing is that it will let VENOM a go for another tour cycle and it doesn’t really matter whether some of us like the new crusty punk metal material and other do not as long as they get to play some anthems from the first several albums and everybody will be happy.