Darkwave-metal duo Venamoris, featuring Paula and Dave Lombardo, will release their second album, To Cross or To Burn, on February 28 via Ipecac Recordings. Along with the announcement, the duo shared a Displaced/Replaced-created video for the haunting cover of Scorpions’ “Animal Magnetism,” featuring Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer) on guitar.
Guests on the album include:
Ra Diaz – bass on “Stain of Pain”
Trevor Dunn – contrabass on “Stay With Me”
Gary Holt – guitar on “Animal Magnetism”
Alex Skolnick – guitar on “Stain of Pain” and “Burnt Paper”
Dave Lombardo comments on the Scorpions cover:
“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.”
Paula, who wrote the album’s nine-original songs, expressed:
“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.”
Watch the clip below and pre-order the album here:
Track List:
01) Stay With Me
02) In The Shadows
03) Truth
04) Stain of Pain
05) Spiderweb
06) Burnt Paper
07) Holding on to Nothing
08) Animal Magnetism
09) Numb
10) To Cross or To Burn
Feature Image Photo Credit: Hannah Verbeuren
