Description
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In 2025, noted composer Chris Hunt and Korn guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer reignited the music scene with their second album, ‘Exinfinite’ under the band ‘Venera’. The album serves as a testament to their adventurous spirit, unflinchingly exploring the ambiguous cosmos of sonic design, and showcasing their ability to paint musical landscapes that are both familiar yet alien at the same time, reminding listeners of the likes of Trent Reznor.
Unlike their maiden project in 2023, ‘Exinfinite’ is a departure from the ambient and metal interplay. Infusing heavy percussive elements with nuanced ambient melodies, they orchestrated a breathtaking symphony intensified by overdriven rhythmical patterns and bursts of sentient guitar resonances. An underlying intimacy is scattered throughout the album, bringing a sense of something mystical and melancholic to the pulsating beats and tonal experiments.
Among the guest artists contributing to this sonic masterpiece are FKA twigs, Chelsea Wolfe, and Dis Fig. They lent their unique vocal capabilities, resulting in an unforgettable collage of time-dilated euphonies that beautifully contrasted with Shaffer’s tortured riffs. Their contributions enriched the experimental groundwork laid by Shaffer and Hunt, pushing the musical boundaries and shaping the texture of the album.
Venera’s new musical direction struck listeners as bold, with Shaffer and Hunt not only recreating their musical identity, but also infusing unexpected elements into the mix. They entrusted their vision to a diverse array of fellow musicians, with the likes of LA noise rock icons HEALTH, post-punk duo VOWWS, and others participating in this artistic endeavor, imparting their distinctive styles into Venera’s musical DNA.
‘All Midnights’ is one of the standout tracks in this album, with Chelsea Wolfe’s rich vocals providing a touch of gothic Americana. Her enigmatic presence is set against a multi-layered sonic landscape of pulsating rhythms and celestial synthesizers, showing the potential of the Hunt and Shaffer partnership, and confirming their status as avant-garde music pioneers. Another remarkable track is ‘Caroline’, where FKA twigs hits the high notes in an operatic performance, beautifully entwined with Shaffer’s dense guitar tones and Hunt’s cybernetic beats.
In summary, Venera’s ‘Exinfinite’ beautifully highlights their musical evolution, from their debut album under Mike Patton’s guidance in 2023 to their standalone works two years later. While acknowledging their past successes, Venera has crafted an album that challenges the norm and sets a new benchmark for their future endeavours. It serves as a testament to their ability to deliver thought-provoking music that incorporates elements of pop, metal and ambient genres, while also welcoming contributions from talented artists from the world over.
