Following the release of their latest, eleventh studio album, Reader Of The Runes – Rapture released in April 2023, heavy metal, pagan, folk and melodic death metal fusionists Elvenking surprise everyone by releasing a cover version of Venom‘s ‘Prime Evil’.
Despite which, it’s not only the choice of song that takes one aback, but the revelation that it also features guest appearances of former Venom singer and bassist Tony Dolan, and Snowy Shaw (ex-Mercyful Fate and King Diamond).
“It is a special song in many ways, starting from the fact that it is a love letter to a band and to a specific moment in time when metal was in fact imprinting our lives indefinitely. The second special aspect of this recording is the lineup. It is a surprise and a metal-dream come true for us since it sees Tony Dolan, Demolition Man, on vocals and bass (he was the original singer and bass player of Venom in the era in which this album was released and now he is still kicking with Venom Inc), Snowy Shaw (ex-Mercyful Fate, ex-King Diamond, ex-Memento Mori, etc.) on drums, Damna on vocals and rhythm guitars, Aydan on solo guitar + keyboards and Lethien on the violin.”
Ever since their inception in 1997, Elvenking forged their own identity, leaving behind the shackles of genres step by step, breaking most keenly with 2014’s The Pagan Manifesto. With Rapture, the Italian collective unleashed part two of their Reader Of The Runes trilogy, and an epic metal quest of woe and despair, wrought with mysterious figures, dark magic and an altogether mesmerizing autumnal flair reminiscent of a forest glade during an Indian Summer. A musical story bridging the gap between fantasy and reality.
The band is currently in the studio, working on a new album and has recently announced an extensive US and Canadian tour as special guests of Alestorm.
