Review of the Mini Album "The Venom Within" by Irish Thrash Metal Band Animator

“The Venom Within” is the first of two Extended Play or mini-albums released by Irish thrash metal band Animator. That’s right, these guys are originally from Dublin, Ireland and they began as a band way back in 2005 under the name of Heresy from 2005 through 2011.

Musically I see a little bit of Slayer combined with an Annihilator feel to create a very enjoyable 4 song album. It is short, being just a little bit over 20 minutes and it can be very tough to write a review for an album that is this short.

The first song called No Consequence is very addictive and you will more than likely find yourself hitting the back button to listen to it again and again. The song is about the fact that in this age of technology we are faced with lies and half-truths as we try to live a life of mystery in order to escape the constant brainwashing otherwise we risk getting depressed. The song is saying that media is designed to manipulate the public. If we live our lives asleep and not aware of what is going on we will lose our liberties as the song says. These guys are really socially and politically aware!

This small Northwestern European nation has given birth to a relatively new thrash metal group in terms of volume of work even though they have been around since 2005. Ireland is known for groups such as U2 and not much else but for an avid thrash metal fan, Animator is a most welcome addition to their heavy metal collection!

Then comes the title track which continues that mid 2000’s Annihilator influence. The song lyrically is about what happens when the pressure builds up in life and screaming won’t help us recover from these wounds. Someone that loves money so much to the point of it being an obsession will only be led to ruin eventually.

Sticks and Stones in its beginning remind me of “The Eye of the Beholder.” Lyrically the song is about not knowing why the man cries as he considers himself a sort of king among skeletons.

Throwing It Away is a song about how some people waste their lives. We either rise or fall and we have so far to go to grow as humans on this planet. The song also tries to send the message that the system is designed to break us especially economically so that we do not succeed. Move over Megadeth because you had your golden years and it’s time to welcome Ireland’s Animator into the thrash metal community.