The product of former Venom members Jeff “Mantas” Dunn and Anthony “Antton” Lant, Mpire of Evil is another attempt at trying to match what the current incarnation of Venom is doing. Funny
, ‘cause trying to top modern-day Venom shouldn’t be too hard given that Cronos has his once-proud band into a revolving door of members, complete with equally-dreadful studio albums. Perhaps Mpire of Evil can do a little better, eh?
As means of introducing the band, Creatures of the Black is a six-song EP, with four covers and two originals. Rounded out by bassist Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan, the trio is pretty much as sloppy as Venom, with Antton falling off the meter left and right during the band’s own “Reptile,” which sounds like…Venom. The other original, “Creatures of the Black” fares much, much better, as it’s held up by a crunchy verse riff and dirty chorus, thus giving headway as to where Mpire of Evil plans to go when their studio album hits the streets next year.
The band’s covers of Judas Priest’s “Exciter,” Motorhead’s “Motorhead,” Kiss’ “God of Thunder,” and AC/DC’s “Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be” aren’t exactly what one would call “spot-on,” but they’re fun and silly. Just like Venom always was. Shall be interesting which band will bite the dust first. Our money is on Venom.
(This content originally appeared on Blistering.com)