Ventenner announce 'Killing Jar' single

London industrial rock front runners have announced the second part to their 2018 double single release, due for release September 14th on Syndicol Music.

The follow up to previous single 'Ataxia', this second part sees Ventenner taking the music in a more restrained and progressive direction while retaining their trade mark aggression, electronic atmospherics and lyrical themes. Killing Jar changes the traditional verse/chorus format, instead opting for longer and more sprawling approach to the song structure.

"We didn't set out to create a deliberate antithesis to Ataxia, simply more focused on channelling the creativity in a controlled way. The recording of the vocal parts on this were actually quite difficult as I deliberately had to hold back when I really didn't want to." - Charlie Dawe, vocalist.

'Killing Jar' is also the second single to feature newest member Cat La Chapelle on bass duties. "Having Cat on board is great. She brought a lot of creative ideas to this song. We're all pretty good at writing together now after so many years, Cat just slotted straight into that."

Both Killing Jar and Ataxia will not be appearing on any future studio albums, but the band have hinted at some form of limited edition physical format coming in the near future.

Killing Jar will be released digitally September 14th on Syndicol Music.


www.ventenner.com

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Ventenner announce 'Atraxia' single

UK alternative metal band Ventenner are releasing a new single, 'Ataxia', on June 29th. The new track is coming unannounced to the public and fan base and is the first part of a double A side single release, with the second single coming later in 2018, both released through Syndicol Music.

Harking back slightly to their more electronic and industrial roots, 'Ataxia' is a hostile and aggressive statement influenced by an increasing amount of time spent on tour. This is their first studio output since 2017's critically acclaimed album 'Invidia', a far more guitar driven album than their previous material that divided opinion but expanded their creative horizon.

Ventenner can also announce that they are in the process of writing a new album and after a handful of shows towards the end of 2018, they will be once again entering the studio.

'Ataxia' is released worldwide Friday June 29th, and will be available on all major digital platforms. Both 'Ataxia' and the follow up single will not be appearing on any future studio albums. There will also a limited physical release of both tracks in the near future.

https://www.ventenner.com/

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Review: Ventenner – 'Invidia'

VENTENNER
'Invidia'
HIBERNACULA RECORDS

London's Ventenner have been keeping up the UK end of the industrial rock revival for a few years now, in which time they have proven themselves to be a formidable force in their own right. The band's latest offering comes in the form 'Invidia' and marks a new level to their game.

The new album sees the band with sharpened focus as they unleash a new collection of tracks heavy on Tool-esque bass groove, grungy vocals, grungy vocals and rounded out with some nice electronics for good measure. Songs such as 'The Start Is The End', 'Salagia', 'Enemy', 'Be Still', 'Bruxism', and 'Anamnesis' lead the charge with ruthless aggression and ravenous hunger. But it is the final track, 'Omega' that proves to be the album's highlight as the band explore softer melodies that errupt into a cacophonous conclusion. Its a strong showing that sees Ventenner grasping that brass ring.

The production has moved on nicely as well. Where the previous album (and in fact a lot of industrial rock bands today) favour a heavy dose of nostalgia that harks back to the Nothing and Wax Trax! Heyday of the genre, the new album instead looks forward. Guided by doom metal legend Greg Chandler (Esoteric / Lychgate) the band keep that classic, bass-heavy groove, but sound much more modern sound that sounds harder and more abrasive as a result.

'Invidia' is a strong cohesive whole that creates a loose musical narrative as it develops and really has that complete album feel that a lot of releases lack today. The songs however can still be enjoyed on an individual level and they will easily fit into the band's live repertoire. As a unit Ventenner sound more developed and self-assured here than ever before and the production direction really enhances their darker sound nicely. Altogether this is a good indication the band are stepping up to reclaim industrial rock for the UK.  

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Review: Ventenner – 'Distorture'

VENTENNER
'Distorture'
SONIC FIRERECORDS

London's Ventenner proudly keep the industrial rock flame alive with their third album 'Distorture'. Weighing in at thirteen tracks, the album channels the best of the Nothing Records roster from the mid-90s, along with domestic acts such as Sulpher, and Gary Numan's most recent output. It's dark, brooding and abrasive, but strangely familiar and comforting.

The industrial rock revival does seem to be well and truly underway internationally with acts such as Canada’s Projekt F and 22Hertz, as well as domestic bands The Gifted, Be My Enemy and System:FX worthy of mention. Fitting comfortably within this burgeoning expansion Ventenner bring a slower and more subtle style to the table that brings in atmospheric flourishes befitting Tool into the mix. Songs such as 'Six Blood', 'Unaffected', 'Skin Ritual', 'Metacell', 'Cast', and 'House Of Ten' are a fine synthesis of dark alt-rock and industrial dissonance that will translate well to live performance. While the instrumentals 'Rise', 'Distorture', and 'Undone' add a more tension and atmospheres to the track list and separate the album almost into chapters.

There is a big sense of nostalgia attached to this album as the band's writing style does synthesize a lot of what made alt and industrial rock so great in the first place, and it would be easy for many people to dismiss them on that basis. But the band have the songwriting skills to create their own voice and bring something interesting to the UK scene.

The production is slick and up-to-date, and even though that may seem to take it's cues from 'Undertow' and 'The Fragile' in parts, it doesn't make any attempt to imitate them. Instead the band get the dark and gritty edge to make their songs stand-up alongside the classics.

The album may not reinvent the wheel, but Ventenner are determined to make their mark and an album like 'Distorture' will certainly help endear themselves to fans of industrial rock.  

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