WARGASM - VENOM
Think of any high-octane, aggressively toned videogame released throughout the past decades. DOOM is more recently known for its brutal and gory style and fast-paced gameplay. Devil May Cry is universally loved for its over-the-top action sequences, characters, and its hack and slash mechanics. Both of these game franchises stem their roots in chaos and feature pure destruction and adrenaline-induced entertainment, yet it is safe to say that the deal-breaker in this situation comes in the form of their soundtracks.
On the one hand, you have Mick Gordon taking the reigns and creating a masterful breakdown-heavy tracklist filled with brutal riffs that accompany the player through their carnage in the depths of hell. In the case of DMC, in-house producers alongside special guests, including Noisia and Combichrist created a soundtrack that slowly elevates based on the players’ combos and thirst for action. Overall, both soundtracks make these games a highly entertaining and memorable ride throughout, and in some cases have become more standout than the games themselves.
Upon first sight, the album cover for Wargasm's debut album Venom looks like it could be the soundtrack for Neon Genesis Evangelion. It's quite brilliantly designed to portray the project's character and sound solely through the designs of the mech warriors battling each other. And to no surprise, the intro and title track throw the listener into an amalgamation of chaotic riffs and Mick Gordon-type synths that set the tone perfectly for the rest of the 34-minute runtime.
From start to finish, there isn't a moment that feels dragged out or unneeded. Each track provides a different sonic high, which matches the energetic personalities of Sam Matlock and Milkie Way. They vary in style; 'Death Rattle' and 'Modern Love' follow a more industrial style of rock, 'Do It So Good' follows the electronic-infused punk influenced by The Prodigy, 'Bang Ya Head' featuring Limp Bizkit's very own Fred Durst and 'Feral' encompass the Nu-Metal anger and energy of the late 90s and early 00s. There's a lot going on in a short amount of time, and it pays off massively taking its replay value into consideration. Whether it be metal, punk, electronica, or hip-hop, it is safe to say that there's something for everyone on Venom. Performance-wise, the explosive duo are a force to be reckoned with, with their vocals not only sounding refined, but twice as impactful and fascinating. Sam's brutal and aggressive screaming techniques become perfectly balanced alongside Milkie's own high-pitched and captivating voice.
Venom can only be described as an exceptional genre-bending ode to videogame soundtracks and the golden age of the nu-metal scene, taking the listener through constant levels of unexpected, bouncy breakdowns and electronic drops. In its full effect, it feels like an album created for the generation that doesn't sleep, and if Wargasm continues to improve and work on this formula, they can become the artists that represent this said generation
Dan Tsourekas
★★★★☆