Search - Great Deceiver :: Venom Well Designed (Dig)

Unbelievable - why hasn't anyone written about this disc yet

09/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A Venom Well Designed is a masterpiece and one that given time is truly essential listening. This is next to Nile's "In Their Darkened Shrines" as my favourite album of 2002.
TGD are pretty much a Swedish hardcore band but with a death metal singer. The resulting combination is a truly refreshing blend of groove and melody without sounding all wimpy and pop-rock like a lot of "melodic Swedish death" music. The lead singer is none other than Tomas Lindberg, former At The Gates growler. ATG had a huge impact on the European death metal scene in the mid 90s and TGD are definitely a progressive band that will eventually influence several bands desperately searching for inspiration.
The sound itself is probably similar to Helmet, particularly the "empty" drum sound that denotes a hardcore sound. The guitars are crunching and grinding but these are complemented by an excellent "shimmering" guitar that gives the band a very unique sound. Upon first listen you might be disappointed that it isn't a furiously fast album. But after three or four listens this album will remain lodged in the memory banks. "Pierced" isn't a particularly strong opener but it has a fine hook. "The Living End", however, is different class, a slow-burner but no doubt will be many people's favourite track. "Poisoned Chalice" adds some urgency to the proceedings but again is a very strong track, laced with a grinding melody. "After The Flood" is the fastest track on the album and no doubt this sounds killer live. Initially it might not grab you but it definitely will after a few listens. "Enter The Martyrs" has a creepy riff and another excellent track. "The Demon's Lair" has an evil air to it and is another mid tempo affair. Not really a big fan of the next three tracks - "Arsenic Dreams", "Strychnine" and "The Blade" - good tracks but certainly the other tracks are of such high quality that they might sound like a bit of a letdown. The last two tracks - "Leave It All Behind" and "Destroy - Adore" are good closers. And then you'll want to put the CD on again.
Nile and The Great Deceiver may be worlds apart in terms of sound and genre. But certainly one can truly appreciate the craftsmanship, the superb atmosphere of the music, and the willingness of both bands to extend the traditional boundaries of black metal and hardcore. Nothing left to add except that this is well worth buying and demands to be in your CD collection."