British black metal pioneers VENOM have decided to re-record some of the already completed tracks for their upcoming album and push back the CD's projected release date to early 2008. Drummer Antony "Antton" Lant (brother of VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant) explains: "During the Scandinavian tour [which took place in May 2007] we played through some of the new tracks in the soundchecks. There's something about the energy you deliver when playing on a stage that differs greatly from recording in a studio. All fired up, we tore the tracks to shreds. We tried to organize a mobile studio to get to the next shows, but it was way too late notice, so on our return to the U.K. Cronos hired some small venues for us to record some new backing tracks to work on. At the end of the day it's all about recording a great album, and this new album is sounding absolutely awesome."

In other news, work has started on a special DVD release of VENOM's classic videos. The Hammersmith show from 1984 ("The 7th Date of Hell") and the "Nightmare" video, along with new interviews with various members and never-before-seen footage from the musicians' personal archives will be included.

VENOM recently parted ways with guitarist Mykvs (a.k.a. Mike Hickey; ex-CARCASS, CATHEDRAL). "Personal unavoidable commitments in the U.S. have forced Mykvs to announce that he cannot commit 100% to VENOM's 2007 schedule," the band previously wrote in a statement. A new guitarist by the name of Rage has already been drafted in to replace Mykvs.

With regards to the direction of the band's next album, VENOM frontman Cronos previously said, "VENOM will be even darker and heavier for the next release. The new song ideas that Antton and I have been composing over the last year will be exactly what the 'legions' expect from us, and will really test the abilities of the band members. There's going to be a lot of blood spilled making the next album. This band belongs to the fans and I'm going to stay true to the spirit of VENOM no matter what sacrifices have to be made."

Watch video footage of VENOM performing its classic song "At War with Satan" on May 27, 2007 at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland: