### Venomous Maximus: Beg upon the light

#### 23/11/12 || gk

“Beg upon the light” is the debut full length from Texas occult metal outfit Venomous Maximus and this is a solid effort. The band came to my attention when I stubbed their previous release and they’ve managed to deliver on that potential.

Proper album opener Path of doom sets the tone for the album with its muscular but classic heavy metal riffing and strong clean vocals. The song is catchy and kind of retro in feel but very enjoyable. From here, the album is a trip through a very old school heavy metal feel that combines robust heavy metal riffing with melodies and some great grooves. It’s all wrapped up in a stoner friendly, doomy atmosphere and Greg Higgins’ half shout half wail approach to singing works really well once you get used to it. “Give up the witch” is reworked from its first appearance on their debut EP and works better here while Moonchild is full of some badass riffing and infectious in its energy. “Battle for the cross” takes a more doom metal direction in an Obsessed kind of way and again the riff is king. I guess the one big surprise on the album is “Mother’s milk” with its plaintive violin hiding behind a beautiful acoustic melody. “Hell’s heroes” closes the album in strong fashion and the samples of neighing horses and stamping feet conjures the spirit of Bathory without really sounding anything like that band.

Guitarists Greg Higgins and Christian Larson don’t seem to ever run out of killer riffs and they back this up with a fine ability to take those riffs and turn them into memorable songs. Drummer Bongo and bass player Trevi Biles maintain a solid rhythm at all times and Bongo’s drumming stands out particularly in the places where he provides the impetus. The only stumbling block might be the vocals which took me some getting used to but right more than a dozen listens, it sounds pretty perfect.

“Beg upon the light” is a difficult album to pin down. There’s plenty of classic heavy metal right through this album. There’s an atmosphere of American doom bands like Pentagram and The Obsessed and at its heart has a confident rock n roll swagger. This could sit quite easily next to new albums by Grand Magus, Hammers of Misfortune or even High on Fire.

The band has plenty of interesting ideas and is never afraid to show them off. Venomous Maximus has crafted an engaging and entertaining heavy metal album that should really have wide appeal.

- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: Occulture
- Website: Venomous Maximus Bandcamp
- Band
- Greg Higgins: vocals, guitars
- Christian Larson: guitars
- Trevi Biles: bass
- Bongo: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Funeral Queen
- 02. Path of Doom
- 03. Give Up the Witch
- 04. Father Time
- 05. Dream Again (Hellenbach)
- 06. Moonchild
- 07. Battle For the Cross
- 08. Venomous Maximus
- 09. Mothers Milk
- 10.Hell’s Heroes