• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Echoes From the Gutter is the debut album from Austria's Venator and is a definite step up from the effort on their split with Angel Blade from 2020. Their music is still firmly rooted in the '80s, but they sound much more sure of their sound, which is riffy traditional metal played with take-no-prisoners energy. The singer has a gruff shout similar to Blackie Lawless and the music takes cues from bands like W.A.S.P. and Keel, a heavier direction than their previous work. On "The Hexx" Venator give us an idea of what it might sound like if Lawless filled in for Bruce Dickinson with Iron Maiden while "Red and Black" is a W.A.S.P.-inspired ball-buster. "Made of Light" even features lead work I can picture Chris Holmes and Randy Piper playing. Don't get me wrong, Venator aren't aping W.A.S.P., but it sure sounds like that band was a major inspiration. In an era when the pool of new traditional metal bands is getting rather full, I give Venator credit for sounding a little different from the crowd yet still distinctly '80s. If you are into bands like Haunt, Traveler, and Züül, you will need to add Venator and Echoes From the Gutter to your playlist.