Venom’s “Calm Before the Storm” – The Shocking 1987 Metal Shift You Never Expected #vinylrecords

"Calm Before the Storm" Album Description:

Vinyl albums have long been a popular medium for music, and the Venom album "Calm Before The Storm" is no exception. Released in 1987, the album represents a departure from the band's previous work, offering a more polished and melodic sound while still retaining their signature heavy metal edge. In this web-page, we will explore the album in more detail, discussing its history, musical style, and legacy within the metal genre.

History

Venom, formed in Newcastle, England in 1978, quickly became known for their aggressive, no-holds-barred approach to metal. Their first three albums, "Welcome to Hell" (1981), "Black Metal" (1982), and "At War With Satan" (1984), established the band as pioneers of the black metal genre, inspiring countless bands to follow in their footsteps. However, by the time "Calm Before The Storm" was released in 1987, the band had undergone some significant changes. Original guitarist Mantas had left the band, and the remaining members - vocalist/bassist Cronos and drummer Abaddon - had decided to take a different approach to their music.

Musical Style

"Calm Before The Storm" represents a departure from Venom's earlier work, with a more polished, melodic sound that leans more towards traditional heavy metal than black metal. The album features catchy, anthemic choruses and melodic guitar solos, while still retaining the band's trademark aggression and intensity. Songs like "Black Xmas" and "Shadow King" showcase the band's newfound melodic sensibilities, while tracks like "Resurrection" and "Muscle" demonstrate their continued dedication to heavy riffs and pounding rhythms.

Legacy

While "Calm Before The Storm" may not be as well-known as Venom's earlier albums, it is still considered a classic within the metal genre. The album's more polished sound and melodic sensibilities may have alienated some of the band's earlier fans, but it also gained them a new following among metalheads who appreciated the band's ability to evolve and grow. Venom's influence on the metal genre is undeniable, and "Calm Before The Storm" represents an important chapter in the band's history.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal

A transitional Venom album mixing their NWOBHM roots with sharper heavy metal and early thrash tones. The sound is less raw than their early releases, leaning into a cleaner production that highlights speed and precision.

Collector Notes / Liner Notes

1: "Calm Before the Storm" is the fifth album by Venom and the first after the departure of Jeff "Mantas" Dunn.

Label & Catalognr:

N.E.W. Musidisc 2387 / Filmtrax

Album Packaging

Standard sleeve.

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Record

Year & Country:

1987 – France

Producers:

Nick Tauber – Producer
Nick Tauber is a British record producer best known for his work in the 1970s and 1980s with major rock and metal acts. He produced landmark albums for Thin Lizzy, Toyah, and Marillion (including their breakthrough album Script for a Jester’s Tear), helping define the sound of UK hard rock and progressive metal. His reputation was built on crafting powerful, radio-friendly productions that balanced accessibility with a raw live energy.
Venom – Producer
Venom themselves took co-production credit on Calm Before the Storm, ensuring the record retained their distinct identity despite lineup changes. The band’s involvement reflected their determination to maintain control over their evolving sound, blending their NWOBHM roots with speed and thrash influences. This hands-on approach gave the album a unique edge compared to more polished contemporaries.

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Keith Nichol – Sound Engineer
Keith Nichol: Producer, Sound Engineer,musician has been in-house producer for the NEAT Record label. He has been responsible for the production and sound engineering of many NWOBHM bands during the 1980s. Most notable these bands include: Atomkraft, Blitzkrieg, Fist, Raven, Venom, Warfare, and many others.
Andy Lovell – Sound Engineer
Andy Lovell worked as a studio engineer during the 1980s, contributing to several heavy rock and metal sessions in London. Known for his technical precision, he often supported projects at Marquee Studios, bringing clarity and balance to aggressive recordings.
Stuart Brown – Sound Engineer
Stuart Brown was active as an engineer in the mid-to-late 1980s, often assisting larger production teams. His role on Calm Before the Storm added valuable support in managing complex multi-guitar arrangements and Venom’s fast-paced recording style.
Nigel Broad – Sound Engineer
Nigel Broad contributed engineering expertise during sessions at Marquee Studios. He became known for his collaborative work on various hard rock and metal projects, ensuring a consistent, powerful studio sound.

Recording Location:

Marquee Studios – London, England (1987).

Marquee Studios was one of London’s most important recording spaces during the 1970s and 1980s, connected to the legendary Marquee Club. Countless rock and metal bands recorded here, taking advantage of its modern equipment and central location. The studio became a hub for NWOBHM acts and international artists alike, capturing the raw power of the era while providing a professional sound that helped bands like Venom transition to a broader audience.

Mastering Engineer & Location:

Aaron Chakravit – Mastering Engineer at The Master Room, London
Aaron Chakravit was a respected mastering engineer at The Master Room in London. His work in the 1980s spanned multiple genres, but he became especially recognized for giving heavy metal albums a crisp, dynamic finish that translated well onto vinyl. His mastering touch on Calm Before the Storm brought added punch to Venom’s evolving sound.

NWOBHM Roots vs. Heavy Metal Shift: Venom’s Calm Before the Storm

Venom will always wear the NWOBHM badge, but by the time "Calm Before the Storm" hit in ’87, that wave had already crashed. This isn’t the raw chaos of Black Metal — it’s sharper, cleaner, almost respectable. Whether you call that progress or betrayal depends on how much noise and blood you like with your metal.

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So yeah, technically Venom are stamped forever with the NWOBHM tag — they were right there in the greasy pubs of Newcastle, vomiting feedback and goat’s blood while Def Leppard were busy blow-drying their hair. But by the time “Calm Before the Storm” crawled out in ’87, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal wasn’t waving anymore — it was a memory, a tattered denim patch on a jacket now smelling faintly of mothballs.

This record is Venom trying to be a band instead of a cartoon apocalypse, trading the caveman sludge of Black Metal for something closer to trad heavy metal and proto-thrash — sharper, cleaner, maybe even suspiciously listenable.

Is it NWOBHM? Well, in the way that your high-school photos are still you, even if you no longer look like that kid with the bad haircut. Venom can’t escape their roots — but this album is a different beast, one with less blood on its shirt and a slightly better guitar tone. Whether that’s an upgrade or a betrayal depends on how much chaos you demand in your diet.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:

Cronos – Vocals, Bass Guitar

Conrad "Cronos" Lant , born on 15 January 1963, is a British musician best known as the founder, bassist, and vocalist of the influential black metal band Venom. Born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Cronos played a significant role in shaping the sound and aesthetics of extreme metal during the 1980s.

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In 1979, Cronos co-founded Venom alongside guitarist Jeffrey "Mantas" Dunn and drummer Anthony "Abaddon" Bray. The band quickly gained attention for their raw and aggressive style, which laid the groundwork for the emerging genre of black metal. With their debut album, "Welcome to Hell" (1981), and follow-up "Black Metal" (1982), Venom cemented their place in metal history, influencing countless bands with their dark and aggressive sound.

Cronos, known for his distinctive raspy vocals and menacing stage presence, became the face of Venom. His aggressive bass playing style, characterized by heavy distortion and rapid riffing, added a unique dimension to the band's sound. Songs like "Black Metal", "Countess Bathory", and "In League with Satan" became iconic anthems of the genre.

In 1986, Cronos left Venom to pursue a solo career, releasing his debut album, "Dancing in the Fire". However, his solo endeavors did not reach the same level of success as his work with Venom. In 1995, he rejoined the band for a brief period before departing again to focus on other musical projects.

Throughout his career, Cronos has collaborated with various musicians and bands, and he has released several albums under his own name. His musical style has evolved over the years, incorporating elements of thrash metal and industrial influences. Cronos has remained an influential figure in the metal community, revered for his contributions to the genre.

Beyond music, Cronos has shown an entrepreneurial spirit, founding his own record label called Cronos Records. He has also ventured into other areas, such as tattooing, and has showcased his artwork in galleries.

Cronos's impact on the metal scene is immeasurable. His uncompromising approach to music and his contributions to the development of black metal have left an indelible mark on the genre. He continues to perform and create music, captivating audiences with his intense energy and his distinctive growls. Conrad "Cronos" Lant remains an iconic figure in the history of extreme metal.
Mike "Mykus" Hickey – Guitar
Mike Hickey, often credited as "Mykus," joined Venom during the mid-1980s, stepping in after the departure of Mantas. A versatile guitarist, Hickey later became a long-time collaborator with Ozzy Osbourne, serving in his touring band and contributing to solo projects. His career is marked by a blend of NWOBHM roots and classic heavy metal credentials.
James Clare – Guitar
James Clare was brought in as a second guitarist for Calm Before the Storm, helping expand Venom’s sound with tighter harmonies and a dual-guitar attack. While less known outside the Venom circle, his contributions gave the album a more structured heavy metal edge compared to the raw chaos of earlier records.
Abaddon – Drums
Anthony "Abaddon" Bray was Venom’s founding drummer, known for his primal, relentless style that heavily influenced early thrash and black metal drumming. His playing on classics like Welcome to Hell and Black Metal became a blueprint for countless extreme metal bands. On Calm Before the Storm, he anchored the band’s stylistic shift with a mix of traditional heavy metal beats and raw power.

Venom "Calm Before the Storm" Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo

This is the front cover of Venom’s 1987 studio album “Calm Before the Storm”. The design immediately catches the eye with a large central frame dominated by a near-black sky.

A single bolt of lightning cracks down from the top right, rendered in luminous white with faint violet edges, bringing movement and drama to an otherwise stark and minimalist background. The surrounding area is a pale white border, giving the impression of a window into a violent natural scene.

Above the frame, the unmistakable Venom logo is displayed prominently in metallic, stylized lettering. The logo’s sharp, interlaced strokes resemble both demonic calligraphy and heavy metal iconography, instantly identifying the band while adding an aggressive visual edge.

Beneath the storm image, the title “Calm Before the Storm” is printed in bold, angular black capital letters. The font feels heavy and deliberate, emphasizing solidity and impact. Together, the elements create a juxtaposition of calm framing and explosive energy, visually echoing the band’s shift from chaotic blackened soundscapes to a more polished heavy metal presence.

Close-up of Record Label

This image shows a close-up of Side A’s record label from Venom’s 1987 album “Calm Before the Storm”. The label is printed in white text against a deep brown-grey background.

At the top is the N.E.W. triangle logo with the word MUSIDISC in a rectangular frame beneath it. On the left-hand side, the catalog number 2387 is printed, followed by 33 T. Face A to indicate speed and side. To the right sits the SACEM SDRM rights society mark, confirming French licensing.

The tracklist for Side A is centrally displayed in a neat block: Black Xmas, The Chanting of the Priests, Metal Punk, Under a Spell, and Calm Before the Storm. Below, text confirms that all songs were composed and arranged by Venom.

At the bottom edge, the label credits © 1987 Filmtrax and Distribution Musidisc, while the outer rim contains standard duplication and performance rights notices, including “Made in France.” Collectors value this label for its precise catalog identifiers and distinctive French pressing details.

Minimalism, Disk Space, and Venom’s Lightning Economy

Back when disk space was as pricey as a small yacht, I couldn’t waste precious bytes archiving every square inch of album packaging. Luckily, Venom did me a favor with Calm Before the Storm by serving up one of the most minimalist covers imaginable — a logo, a lightning bolt, and enough empty space to make you wonder if the printer ran out of ink.

So no alternate cover here… just the raw economy of design, saving collectors both shelf space and sarcasm.