Temptations for the Weak return stronger than ever with The Venom Inside, described by the band as their most ambitious and versatile work to date. Blending thrash metal, metalcore, and aggressive melodies, the album channels raw energy, intensity, and emotion in every track, exploring themes of resilience, darkness, and personal struggle. With top-notch production by Scott Atkins in the UK and international collaborations including Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage, the record showcases a band that has not only honed their sound but also elevated their artistic vision. 

By Sandra Pinto

In this interview, Djoni Tregub and Jadran Beauprez discuss their songwriting process, the inspirations behind tracks like Your Own Suffering, the creative freedom of releasing independently, and how their live experience shapes the energy and honesty of their music.

The Venom Inside is described as your most ambitious and versatile work to date. How do you define this evolution compared to previous albums?
Djoni : This is definitely an album we couldn’t have made 5 years ago. Last couple of years were very busy for the band so we all felt like we needed to step up with this one. We left no stones unturned, worked really hard on the songs and just being honest about certain parts of the songs that were not working yet but had potential.

The album combines thrash metal, metalcore, and melodic aggression. How do you balance these elements to create a cohesive sound?
Djoni : It kind of happened naturally this time around as we had a clear vision of what the sound of the band should be. In the past it was kind of forced at times to really follow the “metalcore” sound (screams on the verses/singing during choruses). Now we just let the song dictate what it needs.

Your Own Suffering has been called the hardest and meanest track on the album. What was the inspiration behind this song, and how does it fit into the overall theme of the record?
Djoni : Musically it all kind of fell in its place after the intro riff was written. It took about a day or 2 to finish it. Lyrically it was a bit of a struggle. The chorus took about 4 different versions after we finally settled with something with a great hook and powerful lyrics. Originally the lyrics were written about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the aftermath of that.

How did the band decide on the title The Venom Inside, and what does it represent conceptually?
Jadran : The snake is something that comes back in all of TFTW’s artwork. For me it resembles ‘temptation’ Like the ancient story of Adam and Eve where the snake hisses in the ear of Eve to ‘ just take the bite ’ In our new artwork that same serpent is representing ‘the venom’ coiled tightly around a human heart. “The Venom Inside” represents the hidden darkness the human race can carry or hide without showing a trace on the surface.

You worked with producer Scott Atkins in the UK. How did his approach shape the sound of the album?
Jadran :Every member of TFTW is a die-hard fan of the UK metalband Sylosis. We’ve been absorbing their crushing riffs, precision, and massive productions for years. That sound shaped us more than we can put into words. The force behind the Sylosis sound is Scott Atkins. His work set the benchmark for power, clarity, and raw aggression.
When we started writing our new album, the songs were demanding that same intensity, heavy, honest, and unpolished where it needed to be. From the very first conversations, the connection was there: clear communication, mutual understanding, and a shared vision of what this record had to become.

The single Crossroads features Jesse Leach from Killswitch Engage. How did this collaboration come about, and what was it like working with him?
Djoni : We were finishing up the recording session but we felt like we needed something special for the album. During that time Jesse Leach was accepting some session work so we took a chance and sent him out demo’s, thinking we would be buried in all the emails. The very next day we got a very generous reply from him about how much he liked the songs and would love to work with us and the rest is history! Sweetheart of a guy, always very friendly and true to his word. He really gave it his all during the performances.

Did the international collaborations influence the songwriting or musical direction in any unexpected ways?
Djoni : Not really, we just knew that we needed to step it up and cut no corners with this one. Nothing worse for a professional like Scott to receive bad performances and try to save it in the mix.

Modern metal can be both aggressive and melodic. How do you ensure your tracks hit hard while still engaging the listener emotionally?
Djoni : I think if you’re being honest in what you do, people will gravitate towards it and find themselves in certain songs.

Your band has a strong live reputation and has played major festivals. How does performing live influence the way you write or arrange songs for the album?
Djoni : For us it’s all about the energy we bring during our live shows so we really tried to bring the same level of energy in those tracks. Also it’s very important for us to have variety so that it doesn’t feel like you’re listening to the same song over and over again.

Some tracks like Crawl Through the Ashes and Legacy suggest darker themes. How do you approach lyrical storytelling in your music?
Djoni : Usually the music tells you what you should sing about. If that doesn’t happen, the lyrics just won’t come. I always start off with a few sentences and let it marinade for a long time and really walk around with the themes in my head. Some days I’m not able to write a single sentence but then suddenly you just pour out a whole page in 15 minutes. Just have to live with it and torture yourself with it for a while.

You chose to release The Venom Inside independently. How did having full creative freedom affect the songwriting and production process?
Djoni : It didn’t, really. I just start writing with the thought of creating my very best work as it could be my last.

Over the years, how has the band’s approach to blending thrash, metalcore, and melodic metal evolved?
Jadran : Our way of cooking music hasn’t really changed. What has evolved are the ingredients. They’ve become more uncut, raw, and essential than on our previous releases. Over time, we’ve stripped things back to what truly matters, keeping the aggression honest and the
melodies purposeful. The finishing touch has grown more unique and, in a way, more stubborn.

Looking forward, what do you hope listeners take away from The Venom Inside, both musically and emotionally?
Jadran : I hope listeners really feel the groove and the power we experience when we perform these songs live! More than that, I hope people can hold on to these songs when they’re going through rough times. That they find something familiar in the lyrics, a reminder that everyone is fighting their own battles, even when it doesn’t show. The Venom Inside is about resilience. About pushing forward, no matter how heavy it gets. Keep your head up, keep moving, and keep fighting — all the way to the end.

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