Hailing from Sweden, VENTHIAX are a speed / thrash metal band that was formed in March 2021 with the goal of becoming the loudest and most ruthless metal band in the region of Huskvarna / Jönköping. The band consists of bass-player Wendy Juneström, who also creates and distributes the old-school thrash metal fanzine Black Pages since 2019; guitarist Viggo Heinonen, who also played in the black metal band Pyrrha; and drummer Emil Borg, who is recognized as the roaring percussionist, embracing the true old-school spirit when whipping the toms. Thus armed, VENTHIAX let free a flurry of releases, including a first demo, EP, and not one, but two live albums.
Keeping that iron burning hot, VENTHIAX strike with their meanest and most assured recording yet: the mini-album Rites of Ra. While those prior short-lengths indeed laid their noble foundation – old Slayer, Sodom, Nifelheim, Celtic Frost, Death, Agent Steel, Törr, and Blessed Death – on Rites of Ra is where VENTHIAX blaze beyond the gates with maximum efficiency…and maximum overdrive! Said influences might mostly reside in the ‘80s, and there’s certainly no disputing the power-trio’s authenticity, but VENTHIAX exude the sort of charisma and songwriting acumen that elevates Rites of Ra above another retro-retread exercise. Dungeonic in its atmosphere but fighting tooth & nail to emerge from those dungeons with righteous plunder aplenty, this six-song / 21-minute record rips forth with a memorability that commands repeat plays – and repeat possession. Not for nothing is one of the mini’s most emblematic songs titled “Speed Metal Mayhem”!
