Wargasm wield wrath and vengeance on snarling debut Venom

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”.