VENOMIN JAMES Announces New Vocalist, Single Release

July 23, 2013

Cleveland, Ohio doom rockers VENOMIN JAMES have announced the addition of vocalist Mike Martini (UNIFIED CULTURE, STATE OF CONVICTION, THE ALTER BOYS, MUDFOOT, SPELLCHUCKER) to the group's ranks. A new single, "Sailor's Grave", was released on July 23 via Auburn Records and is available through iTunes, Amazon and other major digital distributors.

"'Sailor's Grave' marks the beginning of the second phase of VENOMIN JAMES," says guitarist and founding member Joe Fortunato. "This is the first time Eric's [Matthews] drumming has appeared on one of our recordings, and our first collaboration with new vocalist Mike Martini. I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised by the direction we're going."

He continues: "This time around, we're going to be releasing a few singles instead of waiting to make an album — especially since we're amped for our fans to check out the new songs. There's no shortage of crushing riffs being thrown around at rehearsals these days, so expect more tunes very, very soon."

VENOMIN JAMES parted ways with singer Jim Meador last December, citing a change in vocal direction and Meador's availability as the reasons. In a statement issued at the time, Fortunato said: "We felt like a new direction was needed. There is no ill will towards Jim, he's a natural talent and a genuinely good guy. It's not an easy thing to make this big of a change after six years, but we feel like this is the right thing for VENOMIN JAMES at this point in time. This decision wasn't taken lightly."

Meador plans to continue making music, and will be seeking or forming a new project in the near future.

VENOMIN JAMES, founded in 2006, is a doom metal band, known for heavy riffs and intricate musical arrangements in the vein of BLACK SABBATH and "desert rock" bands like KYUSS and UNIDA. They have released two full length albums, "Crowe Valley Blues" and "Left Hand Man", and are currently signed to Auburn Records. The band's third album, "Unholy Mountain", which was completed last fall, will be released later this year with Meador's last vocal contributions, marking the end of his tenure in the band. It will also include the final recordings of drummer Jared Koston, who passed away from cancer in 2010.

VENOMIN JAMES is:

Joe Fortunato - Guitar
Tomasz Scull - Guitar
Erin Corcoran - Bass
Eric Matthews - Drums
Mike Martini - Vocals

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