A classic power trio very much in the vein of Venom, Exciter and Raven, Venthiax were formed in Sweden in 2021 and have come to prominence via a self-titled debut EP and two live cassettes. Solidifying their position as one of thrash metal’s brightest prospects, the band unleash their second EP, Rites Of Ra, a six-tracker which finds the band honing their craft into a red hot laser beam and bringing all their experience to the fore. Hold on tightly because Venthiax are here to thrash you to death.
A good introduction can really set the scene, acting as a portent of what’s to come and plant seeds that will come to fruition as the EP progresses. On a band’s new release a strong intro is all the more important and acts as a band’s calling card and mission statement, and should find the group planting their flag firmly on the metal map. Opening instrumental ‘Warfare’ more than fulfils that remit and finds Venthiax ticking all the right boxes. It reminds me of a cross between Iron Maiden’s ‘Transylvania’ and Megadeth’s ‘Into The Lungs Of Hell’, only faster, nastier and more bloodthirsty; like an armoured fist heading straight for your cranium it causes maximum carnage, and is surely the only way for a thrash metal band to arrive. It radiates a sense of danger and sends a warning to the curious, one which suggests only the strong will survive. This is exactly how thrash was meant to sound, it’s visceral and violent and made for the hardiest of souls. However, if you thought that ‘Warfare’ was the peak of the band’s powers, then step back because the following ‘Rites Of Ra’ takes things into overdrive. With the aid of some caustic vocals the title-track is a cataclysmic affair that’s full of guitars weaving intricate lines and propelled forth by a relentless rhythm section. Yet, the band prove themselves a versatile bunch and aren’t all manic thrashing; there’s plenty of variety on offer in terms of tempo changes, along with (slightly) slower sections which only serve to make the fast all the more…faster.
Rites Of Ra is undoubtedly a thrash metal album (and proudly so) yet there’s a definite punk influence (of the hardcore variety) both musically and attitude-wise. With the lyrics delivered as fast as the riffs, tracks such as ‘Infernal Demise’ become windswept affairs and with the spidery, spasmodic solos that move wildly, like a planchet on an Ouija board, things also have a demonic edge. Featuring six songs in twenty minutes, Rites Of Ra is a fairly brief affair, yet it is also a record that’s bursting at the seams with great ideas and, truth be told, Venthiax have packed more into these six songs than most bands pack into an entire career.
Venthiax was formed with the intention of becoming the toughest thrash band in the Huskvarna, Jönköping area and that’s a remit they’ve fulfilled with this release. Today Sweden, tomorrow the world.
- Rites Of Ra is released via Dying Victims Productions on 27th February 2026.
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Track List:
- Warfare
- Rites Of Ra
- Infernal Demise
- Speed Metal Mayhem
- Dawn Of Terror
- The Omen’s Arrival
