VENATOR – Psychodrome (2025) *HQ*
Love the album cover. Love that retro feel reminiscent of Scorpions’ Blackout. And love even more the music inside of “Psychodrome“. Please allow Austrian quintet VENATOR to transport you back to 1983 when the spandex was tight and stripey, the riffs were mighty, and every chorus of every song made you want to thrust your fist skyward in triumph.
These dudes—Jakob Steidl (drums), Anton Holzner (guitars), Leon Ehrengruber (guitars), Hans Huemer (vocals), Stefan Glasner (bass)—are sure to scratch all your trad metal itches. Strong Blackie Lawless-esque vocals, galloping trad-metal rhythms aplenty and just the right amount of guitar heroics.
”Psychodrome” is a killer set of wonderful material that rivals a lot of the obscure / underground artists of 1983/84 that came from UK and Scandinavian territories in terms of charisma, finesse, and that ”it” factor to appease a wide selection of traditional melodic heavy metal fans.
The dazzling riffs and active, melodic runs courtesy of guitarists Anton and Leon push the band into that twin hero acclaim that pushed Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Saxon into the hearts of millions. Heads will bang beyond the devil horns salutes as “Radar” and “Steal the Night” blast loudly through the airspace.
The pumping bass lines from Stefan Glasner give a swinging, propulsive thump to another highlight like “Children of the Beast”, the NWOBHM main sequences a treasure to behold along with the easy to retain chorus.
Most of the material fluctuates in a midtempo anthem template, where early Witch Cross, Heavy Load, or even W.A.S.P. during their inception just knew how to sustain a proper musical hook to verse/chorus ratio that keeps you riveted yearning to come back for another playback (or fifty).
Then you have the standout melodies from vocalist Hans Huemer. His delivery, voice, and multi-octave prowess can go from standard Blackie Lawless-ish lower charm to Steve Grimmett-esque falsettos within the twist of a measure – “Dynamite” a perfect example of his wide array of talent to squeeze every ounce of metal spirit into the track.
Doubling his workload as a talented artist, the cover package presents more of an homage to an early 80s-era next to the blade-laden band logo – perfect for larger vinyl-level inspection.
Favorites change by the day. Currently this scribe can’t resist the sideways shuffle riff/groove main passages next to Maiden-esque circular guitar lines within “Ravening Angel” as well as the triumphant anthem “Fear the Light”.
If albums like Defenders of the Faith, Fit For Fight, and See You In Hell stoke the fires of your record collection, you’d be a fool to not add ”Psychodrome” to that list for regular rotation.
For VENATOR, future festival gateway status can’t be far behind.
Highly Recommended
01 – Into the Drome
02 – Steal the Night
03 – Children of the Beast
04 – Ravening Angel
05 – The Final Call
06 – Radar
07 – Race to Glory
08 – Dynamite
09 – Fear the Light
10 – Astral Seduction
Hans Huemer – Vocals
Anton Holzner – Guitars
Leon Ehrengruber – Guitars
Stefan Glasner – Bass
Jakob Steidl – Drums
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