May 1, 2024 – The titans of extreme music, VENOM, have officially announced the release of their sixteenth studio album, "Into Oblivion," set to drop on May 1st via Noise/BMG. This highly anticipated offering marks the first new studio material from the legendary British band since their 2018 release, "Storm The Gates." Accompanying the album announcement, the band has unveiled the second single from the LP, "Kicked Outta Hell," which is now available for streaming. The accompanying music video, a visual creation by Andy Pilkington, is scheduled for its premiere at 6:45 a.m. PDT / 9:45 a.m. EDT, promising a potent visual accompaniment to the track.
"Into Oblivion" features the enduring lineup of Conrad "Cronos" Lant on bass and vocals, Rage (Stuart Dixon) on guitar, and Danté (Danny Needham) on drums. This trio represents the longest-standing stable lineup in VENOM’s storied history, now boasting seventeen years of collaboration, a testament to their shared musical vision and camaraderie. The album comprises thirteen tracks, which the band describes as quintessentially VENOM: heavy, evil, and undeniably catchy. The sonic landscape of "Into Oblivion" is characterized by a fusion of their classic 1980s sound, infused with a more modern, progressive approach, yet crucially, without sacrificing the raw, unadulterated fire and brimstone that has defined their legacy.
The genesis of "Into Oblivion" has been a multi-year endeavor, with its completion hindered by a confluence of external factors. The global COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly presented significant recording and logistical challenges, as did various setbacks inherent in the complex process of bringing a full-length album to fruition. However, the band emphasizes that a significant driving force behind the album’s extended development was an unwavering commitment to achieving perfection. As Cronos himself articulated, "This album has really pushed the boundaries, but if you want to make a killer album, you pay for it in blood, sweat and tears." This dedication to sonic excellence underscores VENOM’s enduring commitment to their craft.
The band’s resilience in overcoming these obstacles to deliver an album that honors their esteemed legacy is a recurring theme. Rage expressed his profound pride in the new material, stating, "I’m so proud of this album. It’s astounding! It feels so different, yet so familiar. The sonics are a step up, no song sounds the same, but they all work together." This sentiment highlights a dynamic evolution within the band’s sound, a careful balance between retaining their core identity and exploring new sonic territories.
The lead single, "Lay Down Your Soul," has already provided a thunderous preview of the album’s contents. This track is a direct nod to the band’s formative years, evoking the spirit and ferocity of their seminal track "Black Metal." While possessing a touch of the band’s characteristic tongue-in-cheek attitude, "Lay Down Your Soul" exhibits all the hallmarks of a future live anthem, driven by a rousing, sing-along chorus that is sure to ignite audiences. Cronos elaborated on the band’s approach to integrating their past with their present: "I think it’s healthy to recognize things from back in the day and bring them into a new setting that gives it a whole fresh approach. The fans are going to go mental for it!" This strategic reimagining of their classic sound demonstrates VENOM’s ability to remain relevant and exciting for both long-time devotees and new listeners.
The palpable chemistry within the current VENOM lineup is a significant factor in the album’s success. Their seventeen-year tenure together is a remarkable achievement in the often-volatile world of music. Danté remarked on the swift passage of time and the foundation of their collaboration: "It’s gone like that, seventeen years! It’s all down to friendship and mutual respect." This strong interpersonal bond is clearly reflected in the cohesive and powerful musical output of "Into Oblivion."
For fans eager to secure their copy, preorders for both vinyl and CD editions of "Into Oblivion" are available exclusively from the Noise Records store. These preorders include a limited-edition photo card, personally signed by Cronos, Danté, and Rage, while supplies last. This offers a unique collectible for dedicated fans.
Track Listing for "Into Oblivion":
- Into Oblivion
- Lay Down Your Soul
- Nevermore
- Man & Beast
- Death The Leveller
- As Above So Below
- Kicked Outta Hell
- Legend
- Live Loud
- Metal Bloody Metal
- Dogs Of War
- Deathwitch
- Unholy Mother
The Evolving Landscape of VENOM and Ongoing Legal Disputes
The release of "Into Oblivion" arrives amidst a complex and often contentious landscape surrounding the VENOM name. Currently, three distinct entities operate under variations of the VENOM moniker, leading to potential confusion for fans and a significant legal quagmire.
One iteration involves the collaboration between Jeff "Mantas" Dunn and Anthony "Abaddon" Bray, VENOM’s iconic co-founders. They recently announced plans to celebrate the 45th anniversary of VENOM’s seminal debut album, 1981’s "Welcome To Hell," with a series of performances at various festivals in 2026, including a confirmed appearance at Germany’s Keep It True festival.
The second entity is the Cronos-fronted VENOM, the lineup responsible for "Into Oblivion." In this version, Cronos is the sole remaining member from the band’s classic era. His current lineup has consistently released new material and toured extensively, solidifying their position as a distinct force.
The third active group is VENOM INC., led by Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan. Dolan was a member of VENOM between 1989 and 1992, contributing to albums such as "Prime Evil" (1989), "Temples Of Ice" (1991), and "The Waste Lands" (1992). VENOM INC. also tours and releases new music, further diversifying the VENOM-related musical landscape.
This proliferation of VENOM entities has unfortunately culminated in significant legal disputes, most notably a lawsuit filed by Cronos in June 2024 against Abaddon and Plastic Head Music Distribution Ltd. The lawsuit centers on accusations that the distributor was selling merchandise featuring Cronos’s copyrighted VENOM designs without authorization. Cronos alleges that Abaddon approved this infringement through a licensing agreement. The core of the dispute revolves around the licensing and sale of official VENOM merchandise bearing contested designs, which both parties claim rights to.
According to reports from Law360.com, legal proceedings have shed light on the origins of VENOM’s iconic imagery. Cronos testified in court that he joined VENOM in late 1979 and was the originator of the band’s distinctive Satanic-themed designs, which include imagery such as goat heads, pentagrams, and inverted crosses, integral to the band’s logo and album covers. Abaddon filed a counterclaim, asserting his own authorship of these works. However, Cronos’s ability to produce numerous sketches demonstrating his design process proved decisive. In contrast, Abaddon was unable to provide similar evidence. Consequently, a court ruling deemed Abaddon the owner of the original logo, while Cronos was established as the creator and copyright holder of all other disputed artistic works, with the exception of one specific design.
VENOM’s Enduring Influence and Legacy
The original VENOM lineup, comprising Dunn, Lant, and Bray, recorded four influential studio LPs: "Welcome To Hell" (1981), "Black Metal" (1982), "At War With Satan" (1984), and "Possessed" (1985). They also released the live album "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (1986). These releases are widely recognized as foundational to the development of numerous extreme metal subgenres, including black metal, thrash metal, and death metal. Bands across the metal spectrum, from pioneers like METALLICA and CELTIC FROST to modern heavyweights like BEHEMOTH and MAYHEM, have consistently cited VENOM as a profound and indispensable influence. Their raw, aggressive sound and dark, provocative lyrical themes set a benchmark for extreme music that continues to resonate decades later.
The "Into Oblivion" album represents a pivotal moment for the Cronos-led VENOM, demonstrating their continued creative vitality and their ability to navigate the complexities of their legacy. The album’s release is not merely a musical event but a reaffirmation of VENOM’s enduring impact on the global music scene, a legacy forged in fire and brimstone, now continuing to burn brightly into a new era.
The inclusion of official music videos for "Kicked Outta Hell" and other tracks from "Into Oblivion," alongside the album’s release, signifies a concerted effort by Noise/BMG and VENOM to engage fans across multiple platforms. These visual components are crucial in today’s digital landscape for amplifying the reach and impact of new music, particularly for a band with such a rich visual history. The band’s commitment to producing high-quality content, including the previously released videos for "Lay Down Your Soul" and "Metal Bloody Metal," further underscores their dedication to connecting with their audience in meaningful ways.
The legal battles surrounding the VENOM name, while unfortunate, highlight the immense cultural and commercial value attached to the band’s iconography and brand. The court’s decision regarding copyright ownership of the band’s artwork is a significant development that could influence future licensing and merchandising activities for all VENOM-related entities. This ongoing narrative adds another layer of intrigue to the VENOM story, demonstrating that even amidst legal complexities, the music and the legacy continue to command significant attention. The successful release of "Into Oblivion" by the Cronos-fronted VENOM, coupled with their continued touring and the release of new material, solidifies their position as a dominant force in the contemporary extreme metal landscape, irrespective of the ongoing legal discussions surrounding the band’s various iterations.