Venrez: Children Of The Drones

Venrez, or Ven to his friends is actually one Steven Berez, a respected and successful movie producer who happens to hanker after a career in rock. Three albums down the line and Venrez has, with the assistance of ex-Juliette And The Licks guitarist Steve Womack, by and large achieved just that, having toured with the likes of Alice Cooper and Slash, as well as releasing albums as good as Children Of The Drones. Ven himself has more than a slight touch of Layne Staley about his voice and with the wailing guitars and grinding riffs emanating from Womack's six string, there's simply no getting away from the heavy Alice In Chains influence all over this album. Live that approach can become a little too singular in mind, making the Venrez experience one you have to allow to grow on you, however on disc the attack feels less one dimensional. Instead with "Salvation" a mid paced, yet surprisingly sprightly shuffle, "Mist Of Mercy" an otherworldly swirl of melancholic atmosphere and "Reflection" brooding, bruising and beguiling, the more overtly harder hitting ethos is expertly tempered. However to discover where Venrez really hit top gear, sample the hammering trudge of "Hang The Predator", or the more ebullient, although hardly carefree title track.

The album title comments in a variety of ways on modern life; the way we are led like sheep by those in power, the way youth seems more and more willing to spend life staring at a "device" and the surveillance society we've sleep walked into. Across the album these themes and many others are expanded upon, making for a thought provoking journey in more ways than one. Some may find the Venrez sound a little too reliant on the grunge masters, AIC and Stone Temple Pilots, yet there are flashes of a more upbeat, straight rock vibe, although you do have to dig a little to discover it. "Devil's Due" is possibly the most obvious outburst, where Womack's consistently excellent guitar work burns with an intensity not always revealed elsewhere. Personally I'd like to hear a little more of his personality come across in the music, for while it is the guitarist who actually wrote all the songs on Children..., his efforts do sometimes become a little drowned in the up front vocals and intense atmosphere.

If the thought of an updated Alice In Chains appeals and you enjoy enigmatic vocals telling thoughtful tales, then there's much in the Venrez armoury to grab your interest. Add in a guitarist with a deft touch and ability to write memorable tracks with real depth and Children Of The Drones becomes and album thoroughly deserving of your attention.

Track Listing
1. Hang the Predator
2. Children of the Drones
3. Devil's Due
4. Salvation
5. Mist of Mercy
6. Deep
7. 20th Reason
8. Reflection
9. Spin the Top
10. Sacred Blood

Added: May 30th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Venrez online
Hits: 1704
Language: english

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