Venamoris announce new album ‘To Cross Or To Burn’

January 12, 2025 James Weaver

VENAMORIS have announced a new album!

Titled To Cross Or To Burn, the upcoming album from the band helmed by Paula and Dave Lombardo is the follow-up to 2023’s Drown In Motion, and is scheduled to be released in February this year, via Ipecac Recordings.

Speaking about the upcoming album, vocalist Paula Lombardo shares, “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.”

Alongside the announcement of the new album, VENAMORIS have released a new music video for a new song lifted from the upcoming album; Animal Magnetism. The new song is a cover of the SCORPIONS song and features a guest appearance from Gary Holt of EXODUS/SLAYER.

Speaking about the new song, Dave Lombardo shares, “my first concert was May 25, 1980. 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.

The idea to re-create Animal Magnetism came to me late one night. 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 really incredible to see this idea come to life.

We recorded this track without knowing if/when it would ever see the light of day. To release this at the same time this iconic band is celebrating 60 years is a perfect way for me to thank them for an inspiring first show in 1980… and for all they have contributed since.”

Watch the official music video for Animal Magnetism here: