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Sounds | Venamoris - Animal Magnetism (cover)

John Van de Mergel

Na enkele erg knappe albums met een rits meesterlijke songs - jaja, de Scorpions uit de jaren 70 konden er wat van hoor! - werd het tijd om De V.S. te veroveren. Het Album Animal Magnetism (1980) had alles in huis om dit te bereiken: radiovriendelijke hard rock, een top productie en net voldoende 'speciale' songs om het allemaal boeiend te houden. Eén daarvan was het titelnummer dat hier in handen van de Lombardo's met een industrial sausje overgoten wordt en natuurlijk die smachtende zang van Paula. Twee elementen die voor net voldoende eigenheid zorgen, al blijven ze erg trouw aan het origineel. De solo van Rudolf Schenker en de slide partij van Matthias Jabs worden knap overgenomen door Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer).


To Cross Or To Burn verschijnt op 28 februari 2025 via IPECAC


Luister ook naar: In The Shadows Spiderweb


Ter Info


Scorpions hold a special place in Venamoris' heart, as the legendary rock band was Dave Lombardo's first ever concert. The band will be celebrating their 60th anniversary with a Vegas residency that starts the day before Venamoris' album comes out - a beautiful moment of rock 'n' roll alchemy.


About the track, Dave says;

~  My first concert was May 25, 1980. 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.

 

The idea to re-create ‘Animal Magnetism’ came to me late one night. 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 really incredible to see this idea come to life. 

 

We recorded this track without knowing if/when it would ever see the light of day. To release this at the same time this iconic band is celebrating 60 years is a perfect way for me to thank them for an inspiring first show in 1980... and for all they have contributed since. ~

 

Paula adds, about the album as a whole;

 

~ 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. ~



© Hannah Verbeuren
© Hannah Verbeuren

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