Venamoris, the heavy, brooding noir outfit who blend darkwave and metal, featuring Paula and Dave Lombardo, release their sophomore album, To Cross Or To Burn, on February 28 via Ipecac Recordings.
Alongside the album announcement, Venamoris unveil “Animal Magnetism,” a striking cover of Scorpions’ 1980 love song. The haunting rendition features a guest appearance from Dave’s former bandmate, Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer). The song is accompanied by a Displaced/Replaced created video. Watch below.
Dave reflects on the personal significance of including “Animal Magnetism” on To Cross Or To Burn: “The first rock concert I ever attended was on May 25, 1980, with Scorpions opening for Ted Nugent’s ‘Scream Dream’ tour. We (Slayer) had covered a couple Scorpions songs in the early years but I never would have thought of re-imagining one of their songs at that time. Now it seems like the most natural thing to do. I could hear Paula’s sultry voice, the song taking on a slightly industrial feel… and I could fully hear Gary Holt play this insane lead. It’s been incredible to see this idea come to life. To release this at the same time this iconic band celebrates 60 years is a perfect way for me to thank them for an inspiring first show in 1980 and for all that they have contributed since.”
The married duo teased To Cross Or To Burn’s 2025 arrival with the 2024 singles “In The Shadows” and “Spiderweb,” which were praised for their unique sound.
Paula, who wrote the album’s nine-original songs, offers insight into the album: “To Cross Or To Burn has taken us down a darker, very different path than our first album. There’s a confidence in this body of work. An overall vibe of heaviness that was unexpected. Verses of hard truths now bound in acceptance. The soul-searching continues.”
To Cross Or To Burn is available for pre-order now with the collection available digitally, on CD and on both white and limited-edition red vinyl. Pre-order here.
To Cross Or To Burn tracklisting:
"Stay With Me"
"In The Shadows"
"Truth"
"Stain Of Pain"
"Spiderweb"
"Burnt Paper"
"Holding On To Nothing"
"Animal Magnetism"
"Numb"
"To Cross Or To Burn"
"Animal Magnetism" video:
"Spiderweb" video:
"In The Shadows" video:
Guests include:
Ra Diaz – bass on “Stain of Pain”
Trevor Dunn – contrabass on “Stay With Me”
Gary Holt – guitar on “Animal Magnetism”
Alex Skolnick – guitar on “Stain Of Pain” and “Burnt Paper”
The indefatigable Dave Lombardo’s bona fides as a world-class drummer are well-known. While he drafted the blueprint that would define thrash-metal drumming, he’s also applied his finesse to solo percussion (2023’s Rites Of Percussion), hip hop and classical music, as well as boundary-pushing recordings and performances with everyone from John Zorn’s ensembles to punk icons Misfits and Mr. Bungle. To Cross Or To Burn is another milestone in his storied career, where he’s added guitar, bass and considerable production techniques to his sonic skill-set.
Canadian-born Paula Lombardo began her musical career at 18 as a backing singer for Las Vegas icon Wayne Newton, performing multiple shows in the demanding Vegas circuit before relocating to Nashville to further her musical career. A dynamic musical force, she combines impressive vocal prowess, a deftness on piano and synthesizers with a natural instinct for crafting alluring lyrics, melodies and arrangements.
(Photo - Hannah Verbeuren)
