Once an all-girl heavy rock outfit, System of Venus have been infiltrated by a testosterone-driven being in the form of drummer, Josh. No longer can we say that all band members represent the goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility and prosperity, but we can still definitely say that they, as a music-making unit, personify the hottest world in the solar system and the brightest object in the sky. System of Venus was released in July last year, revealing seven tracks that take listeners on a journey of ethics and morals that would make Mother Teresa cry. But rather than brow beat us into submission, the music weaves its way through tempo changes and we rise and fall along with adept instrumentation.
Our education isn’t the least bit painful. It’s amazing what this trio can achieve with few instruments. The production is super smooth for a first major release, and the sounds are layered as thick as cream on an Opera Slice. You get the voice of a woman by the name of Fatima Basic, whose vocals are knife-edge sharp, and whose warbling melds with other sounds to compliment rather than compete with the music.
Described variously as a stoner rock band, a doom metal band and proponents of sludge, a listen will convince you that all these styles are present in the tracks on this CD along with many others. Hear the ripping guitar riffs in Dancing In Hell’s Garden, paying particular attention to the shredding strings at the end. Be lulled into a gentle false security by the track Nothing, and hear the lyrics of Monster Ego tear apart the egotists, narcissists and all the other ‘ists’ who are way too big for their ultra stylish boots.
BY SHARON BROOKES
Best Track: Dancing In Hell’s Garden
If You Like These, You’ll Love This: WITCH MOUNTAIN, KYLESA, SCREAMING FEMALES
In A Word: Burning
