VANENO is a Portuguese Sludge Metal band from Lisbon, formed in 2017. Born from the plot of old and new friends that wanted to jam together, the band's sound combines strong elements of Sludge Metal with elements reminiscent of Stoner, Doom and Death. “Chaos, Hostility, Murder” is their newest album, and it has eight songs. “DQSFLQSF” is first; a short instrumental opener. The tones are very weighted, and very dirty, almost like a person emerging from a mud pit. Segueing into “Eldritch Truth,” it has a firm, hardened edge and more sludgy, filthy tones. The vocals are harsh, scratchy, and full of rage. The title track is another muck-filled song, and I mean that in the best was possible. I’m not sure which is filthier…the intense vocals, or the heavy music.

“Dark Lord” is another brutal offering, and although each song so far checks the heavy enough box, there isn’t a lot of variation from song to song. I understand that part of this is the style however. “God Complex” provides some of that variation. It’s tuned to a slightly higher chord, but still remains thick in the muck. Some of the riffs are tinged with grooves, and are quite catchy, in addition to being punishing. “Sludgehammer” is an appropriately titled song, because that’s what I feel I have been hit over the head with, a hammer drenched in black ooze. Even some of the leads sound like a jackhammer. “Necropotent” has throaty vocals and an absolutely bossy riff. The band isn’t trying to wow you with a lot of time shifts and surprises, but if you listen long enough, you are hooked.

“Yeti” closes the album, and like the infamous snow monster, it moves with purpose. It also seems to be amped up on energy drinks, moving with a blistering pace. This type of album is no-nonsense, no-frills music that just seeks to bludgeon the listener into submission. It met that mark. They aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel either, and although some of their riffs seem familiar, it’s the way they play them than stands out.