Venom Into Oblivion
Released May 1, 2026 BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Early read 2 professional reviews Updated May 1, 2026
Strong critical consensus
Early read based on 2 professional reviews. Venom's Into Oblivion stakes a defiant claim for the band's relevance, marrying old-school metal ferocity with a renewed live energy that critics say lands with force.
How ChoruScore worksCritics' Top Tracks
The songs critics returned to most
Into Oblivion
2 critic mentions
“The title track of this album, “Into Oblivion,” is a classic thrash metal track” — The Spill Magazine
Lay Down Your Soul
1 critic mention
“The former is basically a burly bar room brawl in the form of a heavy metal song” — Blabbermouth
Kicked Outta Hell
1 critic mention
“The aforementioned "Lay Down Your Soul" as well as "Kicked Outta Hell" both bridge dark thrash with NWOBHM explosiveness” — Blabbermouth
Full critic consensus
Venom's Into Oblivion stakes a defiant claim for the band's relevance, marrying old-school metal ferocity with a renewed live energy that critics say lands with force. Across professional reviews, the title track “Into Oblivion” repeatedly emerges as the album's centerpiece, a tight thrash showcase, while “As Above So Below” and “Lay Down Your Soul” receive praise for channeling ritualistic atmosphere and crowd-ready aggression respectively.
The critical consensus is favorable: Into Oblivion earned an 85/100 score across 2 professional reviews, with writers noting a confident return after an extended hiatus. Reviewers consistently highlight Cronos's matured vocals, punchy drums, and riff-first songwriting that recalls the band's 1980s roots without sounding merely nostalgic. Critics point to themes of resilience and ritualistic darkness, and they praise the record's live-ready production that foregrounds thrash momentum and classic metal theatre.
Perspective is balanced where necessary. While one review celebrates the album as a must-listen and highlights both “Into Oblivion” and “As Above So Below” as definitive standouts, another emphasizes bruising, bar-room immediacy with particular nods to “Lay Down Your Soul” and album moments like “Kicked Outta Hell” and “Man & Beast” that deepen the record's range. Together the professional reviews frame Into Oblivion as a potent return - familiar in tone, sharpened in execution - and a record that rewards fans seeking both classic thrash attack and ritualistic atmosphere.
Read on for full reviews and track-by-track notes that unpack why critics agree the collection reaffirms Venom's place in modern metal.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Into Oblivion
Lay Down Your Soul
Nevermore
Man & Beast
Death the Leveller
As Above So Below
Kicked Outta Hell
Legend
Live Loud
Metal Bloody Metal
Dogs of War
Deathwitch
Unholy Mother
Get the next albums worth your time.
Critic-backed picks in one clean digest. No clutter.
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 2 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Venom return with Into Oblivion and the best tracks show why the band still matters: the title cut “Into Oblivion” is a classic thrash showcase, tight and commanding, while “As Above So Below” channels a ritualistic, elevated take on their ’80s sound. The reviewer's tone is celebratory and assured, praising Cronos’ matured vocals and the punchy drums that push these songs into standout territory. For listeners asking what the best songs on Into Oblivion are, these two tracks are recommended as highlights that balance fresh energy with faithful roots. Overall the album is described as a must-listen for metal fans and newcomers alike, a strong return after eight years.
Key Points
-
The title track “Into Oblivion” stands out as a classic thrash showcase, driven by evolved vocals and tight instrumentals.
-
The album's core strength is balancing fresh energy with faithful adherence to Venom's classic sound, offering ritualistic atmosphere and punchy performance.
Themes
Bl
Critic's Take
VENOM bring back the bruising old-school fury on Into Oblivion, with the title track and “Lay Down Your Soul” standing out as certifiable crowd-pleasers. The opener, “Into Oblivion”, powerfully sets the tone with a gripping melodic riff and Dante's beefy drums, while “Lay Down Your Soul” is a manic, burly bar-room brawl of a metal anthem. Elsewhere the band balances galloping moments like “Nevermore” against dirges such as “As Above, So Below” to keep the record varied yet unmistakably Venom. The result is a sincere, completely badass return that lives and breathes on stage-ready riffs and belligerent energy.
Key Points
-
The title track is best for setting the album's tone with a gripping riff and powerful drums.
-
The album's core strengths are its live-ready, old-school metal energy and varied tempo between thrashers and dirges.