Formed in 2015, Thunder Bay, Canada trio VHS (VENOM HALLOWEEN SLAYER) have returned with their new full length release, I Heard They Suck... Blood. The band is influenced by cult films, horror movies, and anything vampire/horror related, as they use such movies as The Lost Boys to piece together this horror themed album. This is their fifth studio album over the seven years of being a band, along with many EP's, split albums and singles, as they always seem to be putting out something new. They also have a few friends to help collaborate with this blood draining voyage.

After an intro straight out of a black and white horror movie talking about vampires and the undead, we get into the first track "Fake Blood and Push-Up Bras". With a RAMONES meets EXPLOITED like punk riff intro, we are thrusted into the blood thirsty riffs of Mike, though not overpowering, it does have a big sound as the drums stick to a fast paced punk like feel. The next track "The Frog Brothers" is a Death metal statement song referring to the series with the same name, as two brothers that run a comic shop and hunt vampires in their spare time. This song also features the vocals of Trevor Strnad of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, as his ghastly growl complements the rapid fire drums, thought at times, the snare drum does not sound too good. The song also includes a very cool Saxophone solo from Elric Pfeifer, that really works well into the song. The album continues with "Undead Casanova", and is my favoUrite on the album, with great guitar riffs and the driving drums, keeps this headbanger pounding from start to finish.

There is some comedy relief at the start of some of the songs, that gives the sense of not taking it too seriously, that is until the music slaps you back to heavy metal reality. That is the case with the next song "Horror of Dracula" and his reign of terror that to a certain extent, lives with us to this day. As a doom intro comes to life, it is over taken with the vocals of Trevor once again, as the duo vocals drag you into the horror. "A Town Called Purgatory" is a catchy piece for a few reasons, as the song keeps you unaware of what will come next. The song starts out with a great riff that allows the drums to drive home some nice rolls and continues to build, then switches up quite nicely into a very bluesy riff and rhythm that really catches you off guard, but it sounds killer. Nice touch eh. "Martin, Martin" is a slow paced Death metal banger that packs a devastating punch at times, with deep vibrating bass and drums switching the tempo effortlessly. The album finishes off with another riff filled killer track with "Getting the Gang Back Together", as the drumming ability of Andy is on full display, with often changing variations. This song kind of comes across with a little Irish punk anthem, with the lyrics "getting the gang back together, hey, hey, hey!". Of course this probably means a monster hunting squad, and they deserve this anthem.

Like most horror themed albums, the story lines and the lyrics are fun to hear. Paired with some tasty riffs and crushing drums, and the stories take on another life and live again. The music is creative and takes on the imagination of the tales themselves. Though at times, I do find the snare drum to have an empty barrel like sound, I don't know if it is being overpowered by the bass drum and guitars, but that is how it comes across for me. A good album by what seems to be a hard working band that really has fun doing it.