A few years ago, when I first heard that the late 80s lineup of VENOM fully reunited for touring with the classic songs, such tunes that made them one of the most influential bands in Metal music, I knew that something else was in the works. Upon the recruiting of the infamous Tony Bray, aka "Abaddon", back on the skins, it was only a matter of time until the decision to make this more than just a touring band playing old songs, came to be an active band that would restart the engines of an era gone in the early 90s. Therefore, out with MPIRE OF EVIL, put into an ice bucket, and onwards to glory with VENOM INC. After several years of constant touring, it was time to sit down, write material, and when that done, an ink of a deal with Nuclear Blast Records took shape. Years after this lineup put out such known albums as "Prime Evil", "Temples Of Ice" and "The Waste Lands", VENOM INC. are back in the big league and with the unleashing of the diabolic "Avé", they are fueled up.

"Avé" is a proof of this band's endurance, perseverance of their past legacy and its assimilation into the present Metal scene. However, if there is one thing that this trio doesn't need is to be proving its relevance. This album is a product of an old school mind that provides the benefit for the modern Metal ear, bearing a sound pattern that would live up for the next decades. Attributed by the band's known blackened atmosphere, the devilish sense is reawakened from a long slumber, which even the VENOM band had a hard time to reinstate. It quite a simple task really, especially when the original riff master that started it all is the main man on the scene. Moreover, the band's solid in stone darkened theme, conveyed through the music, felt more than just a mere act but an ongoing universe, twisted and evil, not letting anyone escape its captivating clutches.

One of the things that I liked about this album is the powerful mixture of old and new, modern grooves along the NWOBHM styled riffs oozed up by semi-Thrash Metal outputs. Generally, it turned out to be one of the heaviest prospects of the band. Furthermore, I believe that in comparison to the early albums of this lineup, "Avé" is somewhat intelligent musically with song arrangements that channel sheer blackness, uncompromised entanglement with the old days but also bearing the knowledge of how to blend in. "Blood Stained" delivers an uncanny drama mixed up with chunky guitar riffs. "Dein Fleisch" aims at provocation, a gruesome turn of events filled with strong grooves. "Metal We Bleed" is a dangerous meeting between the classic Metal days and the brutal modern reality, a punishing hymn that only could be forged by this trio of maniacs.  "Preacher Man" is one of those protest songs again those who have been lying to you, deceiving and swallowing your soul. Without being catchy, the Demolition Man proved a point under the cloak of a heavy hitter. "War" surges forward to through the smoky battlefield, a thrashed up song, simple and straightforward, retaining the old Heavy Metal habits of the 80s. Finally, the chopping "Black N Roll", a sort of a contender for "Black Metal", packed with riffs that reminded me of early VENOM but with a kind of sound that doesn't sound like a working garage. VENOM INC. preach for a singular Metal music and Rock N' Roll's sense of freedom, we are all in the same boat after all.

The moniker changed to suit the needs, enough with the classics and forward with the original material. Honestly, I am glad that this reunion turned out to be something that has more depth and with a chance to create something fresh with the sweet taste of the past. So I say hailz to that and keep bringing on this dirty form of Rock N' Roll right my doorstep.