Paula and Dave Lombardo’s Venamoris to Release ‘To Cross or To Burn’ Next Month
For a while now, there’s been a project associated with the Lombardos that’s ebbed and lapped at the shorelines of our coverage — a sort of red velvet sound that simultaneously feels out of place and oddly at home here at MetalSucks. That sound is Venamoris, the couple’s musical endeavor that boasts a film noir aesthetic wrapped in the trappings of darkwave and metal. And while we’ve been wont to share their singles and one-offs in recent memory, next month marks the release of their sophomore album To Cross or To Burn.
Set for release via Ipecac Recordings on February 28, the new record will feature a special new cover track that will see both Dave and Paula Lombardo putting their take on the Scorpions’ 1980 love song “Animal Magnetism.” Featuring some guest guitar work from Gary Holt, Dave’s former Slayer bandmate, the track is the couple’s third attempt at giving the world a sneak peek into their coming album. Previously, they offered up “In The Shadows” and “Spiderweb” as the new album’s first singles.
For Dave, the song’s selection served as a personal trip down memory lane.
“The first rock concert I ever attended was on May 25, 1980, with Scorpions opening for Ted Nugent’s ‘Scream Dream’ tour. We (Slayer) had covered a couple Scorpions songs in the early years but I never would have thought of re-imagining one of their songs at that time. Now it seems like the most natural thing to do. I could hear Paula’s sultry voice, the song taking on a slightly industrial feel… and I could fully hear Gary Holt play this insane lead. It’s been incredible to see this idea come to life. To release this at the same time this iconic band celebrates 60 years is a perfect way for me to thank them for an inspiring first show in 1980 and for all that they have contributed since.”
As for the remaining nine original songs, Paula said she penned those tracks herself to put the dio on track for an entirely new direction.
“To Cross or To Burn has taken us down a darker, very different path than our first album. There’s a confidence in this body of work. An overall vibe of heaviness that was unexpected. Verses of hard truths now bound in acceptance. The soul-searching continues.”
To Cross or To Burn will be released on Tuesday, February 28 via Ipecac Recordings, but you can preorder your copy today.
To Cross or To Burn track list:
- Stay With Me
- In The Shadows
- Truth
- Stain of Pain
- Spiderweb
- Burnt Paper
- Holding on to Nothing
- Animal Magnetism
- Numb
- To Cross or To Burn
