Seemingly finding themselves thrust into the limelight out of nowhere, they've been garnering themselves a loyal following. Quickly rising from gigs dotted around tiny back-door venues to finding themselves on the bill for some of the biggest festivals (Reading and Leeds) and supporting the likes of Limp Bizkit and Neck Deep, which, for a band whose discography is lacking a full-length record, is an impressive feat. But that’s not something that’s going to hold the co-vocalist duo of bassist Milkie Way and guitarist Sam Matlock back for much longer. Just in time for darker nights, stifling winters, and spooky season, Wargasm have unveiled – with all of their wrath and vengeance – their aptly titled debut album, Venom.
Teased only by the release of “Bang Ya Head”, with vocals lent from Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit (with the track also acting as a nod to their “My Generation”), and the rowdy sounds of “Do It So Good” that sits parallel to the stylings of The Prodigy, Wargasm left their newest project largely under sonic wraps, leaving them to do nothing but what they do best – surprise fans at every twist and turn with their uniquely concocted recipe of electro-rock. The early releases are encompassed in these eleven new cuts, resulting in this well-rounded and sonically explorative debut.
Opening aptly with the screeching whirring soundscape of
“Introduction”, Wargasm set the precedence immediately – they don’t take
themselves too seriously, and they can, and will, use sound effects to
their heart’s content. What this “Introduction” lacked in lyrics, the
title track more than makes up for. Diving head-first into Prodigy-esque
vocals proclaiming, “My whole existence is a momentary lapse of
reason”, Sam rages as Way spits bars doting on being “raised on
television” before taking nu-metal to a whole new level with pure
feverish instrumentation that’s completely heart-pumping and infectious(
that sits aptly as the twin cut of “Do It So Good”). Not letting up
with the high-octane rip-curling rock, “Minigun” and “Feral” take
further advantage of the juxtaposition of Way’s softer, lusher tones
set against the piercing screams of Matlock.
Where the album stands apart from typical Wargasm-feats is
in its objectively quieter, more indulgent breaks. “Death Rattle” opts
for more melodic, softer instrumentation (by Wargasm standards of
course). “Ride The Thunder” explores sultry tones that can be
found on the surface of Wolf Alice’s most recent album (complete with a
“Giant Peach” drop), as the duo opt for a more Frank Carter and The
Rattlesnakes groove, opposing the Sepultura-noise the forefront of
the album wore.
Standing out entirely on its own, however, are the
almost-pop-sounding notes found in “Modern Love”. Teetering on romantic,
Way requests “If I ask you would you kiss my bruise” before the duo
dive into Evanescence-melodic synthwave patterns that explore a more
euphoric side of the hellish Wargasm we know and love. Closing the
record is the slow-burning opener of “Sombre Goodbye”, which, as the
title suggests is a dark, twisting soundscape of layered synths and
eerie effects.
With tongues remaining cemented firmly in cheeks, Venom is a rip-roaring effort from Wargasm and a testament to their prowess as being “not just any metal band”.
