Venus 5 - Venus 5 (2022) Hi-Res

A disparate group of singers, brought together by the label, definitely not for their looks, we are assured, no way.

At times it’s a stretch to accept that the 5′s attractive appearance doesn’t take precedence over content, as their voices, individually and collectively, frequently come close to being swamped by Aldo (Secret Sphere/ Sweet Oblivion) Lonobile’s heavily programmed, symphonic pop metal arrangements. As producer and arranger, he mixes a variety of influences, blurring the line between pop and metal, but his objective seems unclear.

Almost without exception, each track is full on, overwhelming metal melting pots of contrasting yet related sounds. It doesn’t always work. Good songs like the catchy ‘I’m A Lioness’ and the operatic ‘Bride With Blackened Eyes’ are suffocated by overdone arrangements.

But on those occasions where Lonobile strikes a perfect equilibrium, it works a treat. ‘The Simulation’s slightly deprogrammed production – still big, still with a tightly packed arrangement – has attitude and edge, mainly thanks to whoever handles the vocals here… a little bit Avril Lavigne, a little bit Gwen Steffani.

And he goes on to show that cutting edge programming can work if you pare it down a little. The infectious pop metal chorus of ‘Monster Under Your Bed’ along with the big, airy, Eurorock sound of ‘Inside’ suggests that if he’s aiming for Amaranthe and Evanescence territory, then at last his aim is true.