Hidden Gems & Guilty Pleasures: Venthiax (Sweden)

Photo credits: Turborock Productions

Venthiax (Blackened Thrash Metal // Sweden)

Hailing from Sweden, Venthiax are a speed/thrash metal band that was formed in March 2021 with the goal of becoming the loudest and most ruthless metal band in the region of Huskvarna/Jönköping. The band consists of bass-player Wendy Juneström, who also creates and distributes the old-school thrash metal fanzine Black Pages since 2019; guitarist Viggo Heinonen, who also played in the black metal band Pyrrha; and drummer Emil Borg, who is recognized as the roaring percussionist, embracing the true old-school spirit when whipping the toms. Thus armed, Venthiax let free a flurry of releases, including a first demo, EP, and not one, but two live albums.

Keeping that iron burning hot, Venthiax strike with their meanest and most assured recording yet: the mini-album »Rites Of Ra«. While those prior short-lengths indeed laid their noble foundation – old Slayer, Sodom, Nifelheim, Celtic Frost, Death, Agent Steel, Törr, and Blessed Death – on »Rites Of Ra« is where Venthiax blaze beyond the gates with maximum efficiency…and maximum overdrive! Said influences might mostly reside in the ‘80s, and there’s certainly no disputing the power-trio’s authenticity, but Venthiax exude the sort of charisma and songwriting acumen that elevates »Rites Of Ra« above another retro-retread exercise. Dungeonic in its atmosphere but fighting tooth & nail to emerge from those dungeons with righteous plunder aplenty, this six-song/21-minute record rips forth with a memorability that commands repeat plays – and repeat possession. Not for nothing is one of the mini’s most emblematic songs titled »Speed Metal Mayhem«!

Dying Victims Productions will release Venthiax’s highly anticipated debut mini-album, »Rites Of Ra«, on February 27th, 2026 on CD and 12” vinyl formats. Pre-order HERE.

Courtesy of Dying Victims Productions

Discography:
• »Demon Attack« Demo (2022)
• »Demon Attack In Huskvarna« Live (Black Pages Records, 2022)
• »Venthiax« EP (Black Pages Records, 2023)
• »The Omens Arrival« Live (Black Pages Records, 2025)
• »»Rites Of Ra« EP (Dying Victims Productions, 2026)

Venthiax is:
Wendy Juneström – Bass
Emil Borg – Drums, Vocals
Viggo Heinonen – Guitars

FFO: Slayer, Sodom, Nifelheim, Celtic Frost, Death, Agent Steel, Törr, Blessed Death

Links:
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp1 | Bandcamp2 | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well