If noisy old-school Death Metal with touches of Black Metal are your bag you will be in for a real treat with STENCH.  The Death Metal band, are a three piece which hails from Sweden. The band released the follow up to 2010's "In Putrescence," entitled "Venture." The artwork is fantastic which accompanies this release, however the music leaves much to be desired. This album features everything you would expect from eras of Death/Black Metal of years gone by.  From the garbled, and guttural vocals washed in ambient reverb, to old school blast beats with little variation, it is all there.

The opening track "Archways" kicks off with a typical Black Metal drum groove and riff before plunging into a bit of dissonant chording on guitars.  This formula is followed throughout the album.  The standout song for me is "Way," an instrumental track which has a bit more to offer than any other pieces on the album, even with the absence of vocals. The band really brings NOTHING original to the table, The songs are structured very simply and sound like every other Black Metal release out there. Folks who like Black Metal in the vein of MAYHEM may like this release.