Ventrue’s latest track, “Would it be a Crime,” hits hard right out of the gate with a finely tuned blend of modern rock precision and old-school rock metal sensibilities (is that a comparison that works?). The track opens with a catchy, clean riff before escalating into a riff of crunchy distortion, sharp drumming, and vocals that ride the line between anguish and rage.
Vocally, the band delivers a captivating duality. There’s a haunting quality to the cleaner vocal passages, reminiscent of early 2000s metal acts (or even 80s and 90s!), yet they inject an undeniably fresh energy, especially as the chorus crescendos. Lyrically, “Would it be a Crime” dives deep into emotional turmoil, questioning morality in the face of despair—a familiar theme, yet handled with enough nuance to keep it compelling. The delivery is solid and honest leaving you with more few more questions than answers.
The production is tight, giving every instrument space to breathe without losing any of the track’s overall intensity. There’s a slickness to the mix that’s almost too polished, but that’s part of the charm here—Ventrue clearly wants their message to hit as cleanly as possible without muddying up the energy. The drums snap, the bass punches, and the guitars soar when needed, particularly in the breakdown. And let’s talk about that breakdown—cathartic, and well-placed. I did have qualms with the vocal sounding sometimes to be over-processed and verges on auto-tuned at points.
As a complete package, “Would it be a Crime” showcases a band that’s evolving. The track is as introspective as it is hitting, making it a must-listen for fans of emotionally charged metal with an edge.

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