Fusion, whether it be fusing cuisine or atoms, is a delicate balancing act. Too much of one element can overpower the others. Venamoris is a fusion of two musical backgrounds. Paula Lombardo broke into music, singing background vocals for musical acts in Vegas. Her husband is Dave Lombardo, a drummer for Slayer, Misfits, Dead Cross, and Mr. Bungle fame. Their second album, To Cross or To Burn blends the heaviness of thrash lyrics with atmospheric vocals and stripped-back instrumentation. The songs feel vulnerable and raw as if someone were singing from their diary. However, the music matches the weight of such lyrics with overdriven guitars and thumping drums.
For me, how Venamoris manages to balance styles makes an intriguing listening session from front to back.
“Stay With Me” opens the album with lo-fi effects morphing into a simple vocal and string arrangement. It’s almost a lullaby. Paula has a lush and soothing voice that really takes center stage on this track. It is a perfect introduction to her style.
“In The Shadows” picks up the pace a bit. There’s a driving synth track that builds tension throughout. Paula’s voice chimes against an inky background of droning bass and subtle beats. Not to mention ghost notes that tug at your hearing. To me, this is the strongest track on the album. It has so many subtle elements that draw in an audiophile like myself. I listened multiple times trying to hear all of its subtleties. You’ll find similar subtle audio details in the next song “Truth”. The chorus is haunting and the electric piano stabs are reminiscent of James Bond tracks like “The World is Not Enough” by Garbage.
Up next is “Stain of Pain” and we’re treated to lovely Spanish-style guitar. The fluttering strings are a good match for Paula’s breathy vocals. “Spiderweb” continues the Bond-like musicality.
With a strong emphasis on visual flair, Venamoris makes it easy to picture an exotic femme fatale beckoning you with vocal prowess.
Up next is “Stain of Pain” and we’re treated to lovely Spanish-style guitar. The fluttering strings are a good match for Paula’s breathy vocals. “Spiderweb” continues the Bond-like musicality. “Burnt Paper”, has a dystopian feel. The sing-song style Paula adopts with the marching cadence of drums elicits an image of Big Brother and armies marching as books burn in bonfires behind them. “Holding on to Nothing” continues with the somber atmosphere. Paula drops into a lower register and the electric guitars return. On the cover of The Scorpions’ “Animal Magnetism,” the flavor is reminiscent of the Deftones. Paula stresses certain syllables and bends notes to create a sense of aching.
The driving synth lines keep things moving while the guitars and drums remind you of Lombardo’s heavy metal roots.
“Numb” follows with a pulsing riff that evokes waking up with a headache after going on a bender. The refrain “Frequently numb, disheartened and dumb” certainly hammers home the regret one might feel after they’ve hit rock bottom. It’s almost as if Paula becomes that voice in our heads mocking us for our mistakes.
Closing the album is the titular track. I don’t know if it’s the descending synth notes, overdriven guitars, or chugging bass, but I get an almost videogame end boss vibe. It gives us a combination of elements from each of the previous tracks with record static moving across the stereo space and those haunting vocals that predominate the album.
Overall, To Cross or To Burn is a surprisingly enjoyable listen for those willing to put in the work.
If you find yourself with some time to spare on a rainy afternoon, I believe you’ll be delighted by the themes and musical aspects of To Cross or To Burn. But to truly appreciate the fusion of styles, this record demands your full attention. The way Paula and Dave blend their diverse musical backgrounds is quite impressive. Although this genre isn’t usually my go-to, I discovered enough catchy elements that kept me engaged throughout multiple listens.
To Cross or To Burn is available on vinyl from Ipecac Recordings and streaming on Bandcamp.