Photo courtesy of Enemy Inside
Enemy Inside are bringing their latest record, Venom, to the masses on February 28 via Reigning Phoenix music. The metalcore/industrial/weirdo band shared a track-by-track breakdown of the forthcoming album with us.
1. Venom is the title track of the album and definitely one of the heavier songs, packed with intense screams and powerful energy. The idea for this track actually started with the vocal melody—It came to me while I was on vacation at the beach. Once I was back in Germany, we took that inspiration into the studio and developed the song from there.
Lyrically, “Venom” deals with toxic people—those who mistreat you, manipulate you, and drag you down. It’s about breaking free from that victim mentality and reclaiming your power. The song reflects that moment when you stop being passive and start fighting back, transforming from prey into a predator. It carries a message that every person we encounter leaves some kind of mark on us. Even if we overcome the challenges and move on, a trace of their “venom” remains. But instead of letting it weaken you, it becomes a source of strength.
2. Should Have Known Better is a full-on revenge anthem. It dives into the sting of betrayal, especially when it comes from people you once considered close friends—those who stabbed you in the back when you least expected it. The song is a powerful reminder to be cautious about who you trust in life because not everyone has good intentions. It’s also a bold statement to those who wronged you: They should have known better than to cross you in the first place.
Musically, it’s one of our absolute favorites on the album. The energy, the raw emotion, and the unapologetic attitude behind the lyrics make it a standout track. It’s the kind of song that empowers you to rise above betrayal and come back stronger than ever.
3. Sayonara is a cheeky, playful response to all the hate comments we’ve encountered online over the years. The song sends a clear message in four different languages: If you don’t like it, if it doesn’t suit you—goodbye, au revoir, adios, hasta luego, sayonara. It was inspired not only by the negativity we’ve seen directed at us but also by the unnecessary hate thrown at other bands. In today’s world, it’s so easy for people to spread negativity online, but “Sayonara” flips that on its head with humor and confidence. It’s one of my favorite sets of lyrics because it doesn’t take the haters seriously—It just brushes them off with a smile.
A fun fact about the song: When we first started working on the demo, the iconic Sayonara chorus—Sayo, sayonara—wasn’t originally in the lyrics. During the demo phase, I usually sing placeholder texts before the final lyrics come together, and at first, it was actually “Fuck Yeah” instead of “Sayonara.” So, the working title of the song was “Fuck Yeah” for a while. It’s funny how it evolved into something so catchy and bold.
4. What We Used to Be is a song about relationships falling apart—when you reach that inevitable point where you have to admit it’s just not working anymore. It’s about realizing that you’re no longer the people you once were, and the connection you had has faded beyond repair.
Interestingly, this is actually one of the oldest songs on the album. The idea for it first came to life back in 2014 during my time at university. Originally, it was a dance track, and the vocal melody stuck in my head for years. I couldn’t shake it, and I knew I didn’t want it to just sit in a drawer and be forgotten. So, we revived it with Enemy Inside, completely rearranged it, and gave it new life in the form you hear today. Fun fact: the original version of this song was actually a university assignment!
5. Fuck That Party (Ft. Zak Tell) came to life during a songwriting session in Hamburg with Pi Stoffers from Lord of the Lost. Evan and Pi started working on the instrumental, and the track just had this wild, in-your-face energy. Funny enough, “Fuck That Party” was originally just a working title—like we often give to songs before we have the final lyrics—but the vibe was so perfect that we decided to keep it. The song was so direct and chaotic that the story started to form around this idea of an old lady crashing a Halloween party.
To take it up a notch, we brought in Zak Tell from Clawfinger for a feature, which made the song a thousand times cooler. He even starred in the music video! Speaking of the video, the shoot was one of the most fun experiences we’ve ever had. The atmosphere was electric—I dressed up as the old lady, headbanging and dancing around, and the whole vibe was just amazing. It’s a song and video that really captures the wild, rebellious spirit we were aiming for.
6. Dirt on My Name (Ft. Mirza Radonjica) is a song about judgment and the assumptions people make without knowing your story. It’s a reminder that no one has the right to judge you unless they’ve walked in your shoes and truly understand what you’ve been through. Too often people are quick to throw shade or make assumptions without realizing the struggles and experiences that shape who you are.
We had the incredible opportunity to feature Mirza Radonjica from Siamese on this track, and our voices blend together in such a powerful way. His contribution adds a whole new dynamic to the song, emphasizing the message of resilience and not letting others’ opinions define you.
7. Don’t Call Me an Angel is one of the most personal songs on the album. It delves into the topic of depression and was inspired by a period in my life when I was really struggling. The song captures the raw emotions of what it feels like to be in that dark place, but it also reflects on how those feelings ripple out and affect the people around you. This is one of my absolute favorite songs on the album, and also the one where I’m at my most vulnerable.
8. Innocent
Innocent is the only song from the album that won’t be available digitally on Spotify—it will be exclusive to the physical release. The song is inspired by the biblical phrase, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” It’s a powerful reminder that no one is without fault, and we all have skeletons in our closets. It’s easy to point fingers at others, but sometimes we need to look at ourselves first. Musically, Innocent balances heavy, aggressive elements with a melancholic undertone, making it both intense and emotionally resonant.
9. Unburn came to life during a songwriting session in Hamburg with Benjamin Mundigler from Lord of the Lost. Benjamin and I laid the foundation for the track, and then Evan and I expanded it in the studio—tweaking the instrumentals and refining the lyrics. The result is a powerful song with a strong chorus and a killer breakdown that really packs a punch. It’s one of those tracks that just keeps building in intensity.
10. I’d Rather Be Dead (Ft. Davey Suicide) features Davey Suicide from the U.S., and having him on this track was such an exciting collaboration. I’ve been following his band for years, and a mutual fan actually connected us. I reached out to ask if Davey would be interested in contributing, and luckily, he was! This song is one of the rare love songs on the album—or even in our entire discography. It explores that intense feeling of not wanting to live without a certain person, of feeling like life wouldn’t be the same without them.
11. Let Me Go is about being stuck in a relationship that no longer serves you, but feeling unable to break free from the comfort of familiarity. In the song, you’re asking your partner to be the one to let go—If they truly love you, they’ll understand that you’re better off apart. It’s one of the poppiest songs on the album and the only true ballad, offering a softer, more emotional close to the record.
“Venom” – European Tour 2025
Special Guests: Letters Sent Home
Presented by Seaside Entertainment
20.02.2025 DK Copenhagen – Rust
21.02.2025 DE Hamburg – headCRASH
22.02.2025 DE Berlin – Privatclub
23.02.2025 DE Hanover – Béi Chéz Heinz
27.02.2025 DE Bochum – Rockpalast
28.02.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal
01.03.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Club)
06.03.2025 DE Cologne – Helios 37
07.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann (Studio)
08.03.2025 CH Aarburg – Musigburg
13.03.2025 DE Leipzig – Hellraiser
14.03.2025 CZ Prague – Storm Club
15.03.2025 PL Kraków – Klub Zaścianek
16.03.2025 PL Warsaw – Klub Gwarek
21.03.2025 NL Utrecht – De Helling
22.03.2025 NL Maastricht – Muziekgieterij
28.03.2025 FI Tampere – Olympia-kortteli *
29.03.2025 FI Helsinki – On the Rocks *
* w/o LSH
31.03. – 05.04.2025 AT Mayrhofen – Full Metal Mayrhofen
11. – 14.06.2025 DE Gardelegen – Metal Frenzy Open Air
30.07. – 02.08.2025 DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air *SOLD OUT* *NEW*
