By Jase Walker
There’s definitely something in the water when it comes to Germany and producing some outrageously interesting bands in the metalcore scene over the past few years; generally it seems that countries often go through ‘eras’, like Australia with its proggy metalcore, the ÜS and it’s massive strides in hardcore recently. Part of this fast emerging scene in Germany is Venues who’ve been known for great riff writing and energetic songs since their previous two releases, ‘Aspire’ and ‘Solace’, both fantastically solid releases in their own right that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed since discovering them through Arising Empire’s YouTube channel (Seriously, some incredible stuff on there).
So with the main introductions out of the way, I’ve had the pleasure of getting an early look at their third major release, ‘Transience’. Third albums generally seem to be notorious for being albums that can often make or break a band in terms of long term appeal as it can either be a defining album that creates a solid foundation for them going forward or a huge misstep that doesn’t connect very well. Thankfully, this is absolutely the former.
‘Transience’ is a brilliant tapestry of varied approaches to songs that move from slower, more ballady type songs such as ‘Unspoken Words’ to fast paced, pit bait numbers such as ‘Radiate Me’. Some of the chorus parts remind me quite heavily of the likes of Jinjer with the use of layered vocals to create stress before breaking into bridge sections so fierce that it’d make Garrett from Silent Planet blush.
Venues brilliant use of light/shade in ‘Transience’ is absolutely my bread and butter, the clash of soaring cleans juxtaposed with gravelly uncleans over a backdrop of facemelting riffs and some synths as well? Absolutely sold on this sound and Venues have done a great job of working it all together on Transience. For me, nothing is better than songs that have you screaming the chorus and then the next moment having you want to dive into the pit for some good old fashioned violence and then gurning like you’re in a competition when that breakdown hits.
‘Cravings’ stands out to me as it goes straight for the throat right from the outset, no chill, just outright pounding drums and fast riffs but with that signature chorus that you want to let the band know that you’re on board with – I could just imagine the lights in the live show suddenly flashing super bright to put focus on it too, the thought gives me shivers.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9v3C1oU6A0
What a fantastic finale to wrap the album up through ‘Coming Home’, fully leaning into a ballad to wrap the album out and I can see this being used to wrap a live set up before ripping the audience a new one with the encore. Venues have outdone themselves with Transience and I strongly feel that this could be the defining album of their career that will springboard them onto greater heights and beyond the borders of their home country but as a headliner this time.
As I said earlier, something is in the water (or maybe the beer – Ed) in Germany with it producing some of the finest metalcore acts around right now and with Venues very much in their stride, we’ve much, much more to come.
FFO: Silent Planet, Polaris, Future Palace, Conquer Divide.
- ‘Transience‘ is released on Friday (29 March).
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