Few bands in heavy music cast a shadow as long as Venom. Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1979, the legendary trio helped ignite the global extreme metal movement and famously coined the term "black metal" with their genre-defining 1982 album.
Now, more than four decades later, the pioneers are back with their sixteenth studio record, Into Oblivion, arriving May 1, 2026 via BMG and Noise Records.
The album features Venom's long-standing lineup of Cronos, Rage, and Dante, marking their first new recordings since 2018's Storm The Gates. Across thirteen tracks, Into Oblivion delivers everything fans expect from the band: riffs that are heavy, evil and unmistakably catchy.
The new material blends Venom's classic '80s ferocity with a more progressive modern edge – without losing the fire-and-brimstone intensity that made them icons of extreme metal.
The album has been years in the making. Pandemic disruptions, recording setbacks and the band's relentless drive for perfection slowed the process. As Cronos explains, "This album has really pushed the boundaries, but if you want to make a killer album, you pay for it in blood, sweat and tears."
Despite the challenges, the band ultimately delivered what guitarist Rage describes as one of their most exciting records yet. "I'm so proud of this album, it's astounding! It feels so different, yet so familiar," he says. "The sonics are a step up, no song sounds the same, but they all work together."
The lead single, "Lay Down Your Soul," arrives as a thunderous introduction to the album and deliberately echoes the spirit of the band's early era, including their seminal track "Black Metal." The song carries a tongue-in-cheek swagger but is built for the stage, with a massive sing-along chorus primed for festival crowds.
"I think it's healthy to recognise things from back in the day and bring them into a new setting that gives it a whole fresh approach," says Cronos. "The fans are going to go mental for it!"
Part of what makes Into Oblivion stand out is the chemistry between the trio. The current lineup has now been together for seventeen years – longer than any previous incarnation of Venom.
"It's gone like that, seventeen years!" drummer Dante laughs. "It's all down to friendship and mutual respect."
With Into Oblivion, Venom once again prove that the originators of black metal still have plenty of darkness left to unleash. Pre-orders are available here.
