When Abaddon, Mantas and The Demolition Man came together a number of years ago, they decided that the only way forward was to start up VENOM again. Alas, Cronos had been allowed to continue under that name. That meant finding something new and still very recognisable. The guys came up with VENOM INC. Abaddon, who also designed the very first VENOM logo set to work and came up the logo as is being used today. In 2017 they produced the brilliant album "Ave", and toured the world extensively. Due to circumstances Abaddon is no longer part of the band, but his replacement War Machine does exactly what it says on the tin. He's a monster.

It makes listening to "There's Only Black" into a Thrashing surprise, as it will at some points remind you of the big four, but always with the VENOM INC. sauce poured over it. Only when we get to the title song will you be reminded that this is pure venomous and poisoned Metal. It will take you back in time whilst keeping you squarely rooted in the twenty first century at the same time. The title song has made me HATE VENOM INC. Why? Because in it they are destroying my childhood dreams, by declaring that there is no "Stairway To Heaven", but also no "Highway To Hell". No, "There's Only Black", they say. But Black what? Bastards.... From then on the diversity of the songs is as wide as an ancient harlot's entrance.

But, joking aside, this is a bloody good album, even though it took me some time to recognise that fact in full force, the reason for that being that I usually listen to the records I review on my headphones, but "There's Only Black" sounds a lot more impressive blasting through your stereo, happily annoying the neighbours. And I'm glad I live in a flat for the elderly, as half of them are hard of hearing. That means putting up the volume to a level that the glasses are shaking off the table before they can start to complain.

Musically this is the heaviest album that either VENOM, PRIME EVIL or VENOM INC. have ever produced. Not only that, it is also the most versatile piece of slab they have ever let loose on the unsuspecting world. You don't have to look for new elements, because there aren't any. What you can look for is inspirational Metal, fast and furious, but above all, of a bloody impressive quality. And I will repeat that it did take me a large number of listens before I arrived to this conclusion. I therefore urge you to give "There's Only Black" the time it needs. The reward is immense.