Venia - Frozen Hands
The newest release from the Hardcore band Venia, Frozen Hands, caught my attention from the get go. I was immediately captivated and more than enthralled by the sheer muscle and the fervor that the band, especially the vocalist, put into each and every song; the passion and intensity is quite impressive.
I am not going to beat around the bush; “Frozen Hands” is one hell of a disc! Most every song is heavy, aggressive and in your face but still manages to maintain a solid hardcore sensibility to it. It is impossible not to move while listening to this disc, (try it I dare you) and I imagine the pit at their live show is a frenetic frenzy of activity.
In terms of lyrical content, the passionate and at times contemplative soul-searching lyrics are visceral and geared towards a more positive message than the seemingly formulaic negative, abrasive metal attitude that is so readily evident in the genre.
We are more than halfway through 2009 already and I have heard an unbelievable amount of music this year. I can honestly say that Frozen Hands ranks up there among my favorite discs so far. This release will certainly garner the band a bit of attention in the genre and might result in what could be one of the most formidable offerings of the year.
Rating System
Thrash Magazine's overall rating system is based on the following criteria. Venia received a 9.5 because of the following:
Instrumental Rating (1-30): 28
Vocal Rating (1-30): 28
Lyrical Rating (1-25): 25
Presentation Rating (1-15): 14