MPIRE OF EVIL – Creatures Of The Black

The founder of the old British devilish beast Venom is a guitarist known as Mantas (real name Jeff Dunn). He and other ex-Venom mates Tony “The Demolition Man” Dolan (vocals/bass) and and Antony “Antton” Lant (drums) have joined forces to form Mpire Of Evil (once called PrimEvil), and these three individuals have become one blistering unit of hellish rage.

With an album on the works, the trio of Mpire Of Evil have released their debut EP as a promotional dish for fans to taste their own malice. Creatures Of The Black introduces the band to the world with four covers and two original tracks that will possibly be included on their eventual debut full-length album. The production of this EP seems to have longed for that dark and murky sound of the classic Prime Evil album, but with a modernized twist. The EP sounds a bit rough at first, but it is assumed old Venom fans will get addicted once again.

The covers presented on Creatures Of The Black scour the main influences that have been touching the members’ mind since childhood. Mpire Of Evil chose to cover Judas Priest, Kiss, Motorhead, and AC/DC … all giants in the industry. The band sounds good when playing these songs, but when it came down to the vocals The Demolition Man didn’t quite fit when trying to replicate Rob Halford’s high pitched shrieks – he’s more of a Lemmy, Simmons, or a rougher Bon Scott. “God Of Thunder” was by far the best cover this trio made. Even though this song’s nature is a bit repetitive, Mpire Of Evil played it with the honor it deserved and made it through with an unholy grace.

Mpire Of Evil also included two fresh tracks entitled “Reptile” and “Creatures Of The Black”. Overall, the direction of this duo is somewhat different than what Venom is showing off today, but there is a resemblance when it comes to the themes and a part of the atmosphere that surrounds the material. “Reptile” was pretty decent. It is a straightforward Heavy / Speed Metal track in the vein of the ’80s with a harshness that only members of Venom would know how to create. “Creatures Of The Black” was even better, and besides sounding tainted with malevolence and being pretty simple, it is one tough heavy-riffed maniacal track. There were a few modern elements that made this one resemble ’90s Machine Head, but when the bell of evil chimed and chanting began to rise, it was a brute service that Machine Head could not have written.

This EP is a nice gesture by the band to let everyone get to know them before their release. It was well made and the covers were “ok” … overall this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Tracklist

1. Exciter (Judas Priest Cover)
2. Motorhead (Motorhead Cover)
3. Reptile
4. God Of Thunder (Kiss Cover)
5. Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be (AC/DC Cover)
6. Creatures Of The Black

Lineup

Jeff “Mantas” Dunn – Guitars
Tony “The Demolition Man” Dolan – Vocals / Bass
Antony “Antton” Lant – Drums