Enemy Inside returns with their third studio album, Venom, released via Reigning Phoenix Music on February 28, 2025. The German metal outfit, led by the powerful and charismatic vocalist Nastassja Giulia and rounded out by guitarists Evan K and Dave Hadarik and bassist Dominik Stotzem, continues to evolve their sound, blending modern alternative rock, industrial influences, and metalcore’s intensity into a cohesive, electrifying experience. Following the success of Phoenix (2018) and Seven (2021), Venom cements the band’s identity, pushing their sonic boundaries while staying true to their melodic and heavy roots.
From the moment the title track “Venom” kicks in, the album asserts itself as Enemy Inside’s most confident and expansive work yet. The band leans heavily into their signature mix of haunting melodies, anthemic choruses, and crushing breakdowns, refining their ability to balance aggression and accessibility. “Sayonara” is a standout, tackling online criticism with a fiery blend of metalcore riffs and infectious pop-laced hooks, while “Should Have Known Better” encapsulates their knack for fusing explosive instrumentation with catchy songwriting.
The album also offers a more introspective side, with the melancholic ballad “What We Used to Be” evoking the emotional weight of bands like Holding Absence and early Paramore. This track provides a beautiful contrast to heavier moments like the track “Dirt On My Name,” which features Siamese's Mirza Radonjica. “Dirt On My Name” introduces R&B elements into the mix, but it's the deathcore elements on the song that further demonstrate the band’s genre-blurring ambition.
Enemy Inside has never been afraid to experiment, and with Venom, it's no exception. The high-energy groover “Fuck That Party” features Zak Tell of Clawfinger, a fusion of electrifying synths and hard-hitting drum beats that feels like a club anthem reimagined for the metal scene. Meanwhile, the track “I’d Rather Be Dead,” featuring darkwave and melancholic riffing, adds another layer of sonic depth to the band's eclectic sound, and guest vocals from Davey Suicide inject an eerie, theatrical energy into the mix.
One of the album’s strongest elements is its production—every breakdown hits with surgical precision, and the synth elements are seamlessly woven in without overpowering the instrumentation. The closing track, “Let Me Go,” leans further into alternative rock territory with an early 2000s pop influence sprinkled in, proving the band’s ability to shift between styles without losing their core identity.
Since their debut, Enemy Inside has drawn inspiration from acts like Bring Me The Horizon, Bad Omens, and Electric Callboy, and Venom sees them standing confidently alongside their influences rather than merely echoing them. Tracks like “Sayonara” directly confront the comparisons and criticisms they’ve faced, while “Fuck That Party” and “Dirt On My Name” show their willingness to defy expectations and expand their creative reach.
With Venom, Enemy Inside delivers their most ambitious and well-rounded release yet. The album is a masterclass in blending melody with heaviness, and its fearless approach to genre fusion makes it an exhilarating listen from start to finish. As they embark on their February and March 2025 headline tour with openers Letters Sent Home, one thing is certain—Enemy Inside is here to stay, and Venom is the statement piece that proves it.
Venom is Enemy Inside at their most confident, creative, and compelling. It’s an album that both longtime fans and newcomers will find exhilarating, and it showcases a band that refuses to be confined by genre limitations. Whether through its crushing breakdowns, ethereal synths, or anthemic choruses, Venom leaves a lasting impact and firmly establishes Enemy Inside as one of modern metal’s rising powerhouses.
Check out more from Enemy Inside: