Venamorsis – To Cross or To Burn – CD Review

20th March 2025 0 By Jon Deaux

Picture this, the legendary stickman Dave Lombardo, yes, he of Slayer fame, teaming up with his delightful wife, Paula Lombardo, to bring us Venamoris‘ sophomore album, “To Cross or To Burn.“

We kick off with “Stay With Me,” a number that transports you straight to a smoky jazz club, with Paula’s vocals dripping in melancholy, accompanied by Trevor Dunn’s contrabass.

We’re whisked into “In The Shadows,” a sultry, gothic affair that has a touch of the Enya about it, but with an electronic twist—a bit like Nine Inch Nails decided to don a velvet smoking jacket.

Truth takes us down a trip-hop lane, with echoes of Portishead’s brooding charm. Paula’s vocals here are as smooth as a freshly ironed hanky, and the whole thing just oozes sophistication.

Stain Of Pain is where things get spicy, with Alex Skolnick’s jazzy guitar licks adding a Django Reinhardt flair that’s simply irresistible.

Spiderweb continues this trip-hop journey, but with an added haunting quality, strings and all, making it as captivating as a good gossip over the garden fence.

Burnt Paper brings an eerie folk vibe, like a twisted fairy tale told by candlelight—Alex Skolnick’s guitar work here is just the icing on the Battenberg.

Holding On To Nothing channels the spirit of Siouxsie Sioux’s solo escapades, with lush strings and a touch of Bond-theme drama—it’s all very Mantaray meets Goldfinger.

Their take on Scorpions’ Animal Magnetism is a moody, post-industrial delight, with Gary Holt’s guitar adding a Killing Joke-esque apocalyptic flair.

Numb cranks up the grunge factor, with nods to PJ Harvey and Garbage, delivering angst and grooves that’ll have you swaying like a willow in the wind.

Finally, To Cross or To Burn, wraps things up with a vintage horror film vibe—think 1930s spookiness with a dash of The Damned’s gothic theatrics.

In short, Venamoris have served us an exquisitely crafted, musically adventurous album that’s as satisfying as a well-baked sponge. It’s a sublime journey through genres and emotions.
Score 9/10