Metal legend Dave Lombardo and vocalist Paula Lombardo open up about their musical partnership Venamoris and their upcoming album "To Cross or to Burn," set for release on February 28, 2025 via Ipecac Records.
The husband-wife duo's creative journey began unexpectedly during the pandemic when Paula, who had taken a decade-long break from music, shared some of her demos with Dave. What started as casual collaboration evolved into their debut album "Drown in Emotion" in 2023, and now their sophomore effort pushes further into experimental territory.
"Everything is an experiment," Dave explains, describing their home recording process. "There is nothing that we do in this house that is by an engineer that studied engineering. This is all just her and I, applying everything we've learned in our careers."
The new album showcases their diverse musical influences, from Paula's background in songwriting to Dave's expertise in metal and experimental music. "I think everything Venamoris does should be unexpected," Dave notes. "Everybody expects me to do something metal or hardcore, but this is just another side of me."
Paula reveals that industrial music played an unexpected role in shaping tracks like "Numb" and "To Cross or to Burn." "I'm mostly influenced by old school songwriters like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash," she says. "So for me to be influenced by sounds more than lyrics is very interesting."
The creative process often begins with Paula's late-night songwriting sessions. "I'll wake up in the middle of the night and sometimes a lyric will come to me," she describes. Dave then helps develop the arrangements in their home studio, carefully crafting drum rhythms that allow the songs to breathe.
Looking ahead, the couple shows no signs of slowing down. With approximately 15 songs already in development and four to five new tracks specifically for Venamoris, they've found their groove as musical partners. "We found our kind of family business," Dave reflects. "After dinner, maybe watch a little bit of TV and then go up to the studio and work a little bit."
"As long as it feels good and the ideas keep coming and we're enjoying it, it'll just continue to grow," Paula adds, emphasizing their organic approach to creating music together.
"To Cross or to Burn" promises to be a compelling blend of ambient, experimental, and industrial elements, showcasing the unique chemistry between these two distinct musical voices.