Lisbon’s sludge metal wrecking crew Vaneno have returned with Chaos, Hostility, Murder, their most aggressive and unrelenting release yet. Out now via Raging Planet Records, the album delivers eight tracks of pure sonic punishment that cement Vaneno as one of Portugal’s most vital underground forces.
Formed in 2017, Vaneno emerged from a group of longtime and newfound friends who came together with one goal: to make heavy, uncompromising music. Over time, their sound evolved into a molten blend of sludge, doom, stoner, and death metal. Their music thrives on raw intensity: slow, punishing grooves and a filthy guitar tone that sounds like it was dragged through the dirt.
Chaos, Hostility, Murder is not interested in subtlety. From the eerie opening instrumental to the frantic closer “Yeti,” the record moves with purpose, drowning listeners in wave after wave of distortion, feedback, and bloodied vocals. “Eldritch Truth” kicks off the onslaught, immediately setting the tone with dense, sludgy riffs and a vocal delivery that sounds more like a weapon than a melody.
The title track follows suit: it is thick, grimy, and unflinching. While many of the songs favor blunt force over variety, the album finds moments of contrast through pacing and structure. “God Complex” stands out with its slightly more dynamic groove, offering a momentary break from the grind without softening the impact. “Sludgehammer” lives up to its name with a jackhammer rhythm section and riffs that land like falling concrete.
“Necropotent” and “Dark Lord” bring relentless chugs and guttural intensity, trading complexity for sheer power. It’s not about tricks or surprise. Vaneno lock into their zone and stay there, dragging the listener deeper with each track.
Closer “Yeti” picks up the tempo with a savage burst of speed, charging toward the end with chaotic urgency. It’s a final blow in an album full of them.
Chaos, Hostility, Murder is no-frills sludge at its finest. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, it just reinforces it with maximum weight. If you like your metal thick, ugly, and loud, Vaneno’s got you covered.
