Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell (1981) and Black Metal (1982)—are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general. Venom's second album proved influential enough that its title was used as the name of an extreme metal subgenre: black metal.
Venom is a British heavy metal band that emerged in the late 1970s and is considered one of the pioneers of the black metal genre. The band consists of original members Conrad "Cronos" Lant on vocals and bass, Jeffrey "Mantas" Dunn on guitar, and Anthony "Abaddon" Bray on drums.
Venom's music is characterized by fast, aggressive guitar riffs, pounding drums, and harsh, guttural vocals. Their lyrics often explore themes of Satanism, occultism, and anti-Christian sentiment, which has earned them a reputation for being controversial and provocative.
The band's debut album, "Welcome to Hell," was released in 1981 and helped define the black metal sound with its raw, intense energy and bleak, anti-establishment lyrics. The album was met with mixed reviews at the time, with some critics praising its unapologetic aggression and others condemning its nihilism and controversial themes.
Despite the backlash, Venom's influence on the metal scene continued to grow, and they released several more albums throughout the 1980s, including "Black Metal" and "At War with Satan." These albums further cemented Venom's place in metal history, with their dark, menacing sound and provocative lyrics pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in popular music at the time.
In addition to their music, Venom's image also played a significant role in their success. The band members often wore black leather and spiked wristbands, and their album covers featured disturbing and graphic images, such as a goat's head on a spike and a nun being whipped. These visuals helped to create an aura of danger and rebellion around the band, which appealed to their fans and helped to solidify their place in the metal pantheon.
Despite their success, Venom faced numerous setbacks throughout their career. The band members' drug and alcohol abuse led to several lineup changes and periods of inactivity, and they were often criticized for their controversial lyrics and imagery. However, despite these challenges, Venom continued to push the boundaries of metal and inspire new generations of musicians.
Today, Venom's legacy continues to live on in the world of metal. Their influence can be heard in the music of countless bands across various sub-genres, and their uncompromising attitude and dedication to their vision have inspired countless fans and artists alike.
Bernett Records SB 18008 , 1984 , France
"At War with Satan" is the third album by heavy metal band Venom. With this album, they went back to the more raw, unpolished sound of Welcome to Hell after the more refined albeit darker and heavier sound of Black Metal. This is especially emphasized with the raspy vocals.
At War with Satan 12" Vinyl LP
N.E.W. Musidisc 2387 , Year , Country
Venom's "Calm Before The Storm" represents a significant departure from the band's earlier work, offering a more polished, melodic sound while still retaining their trademark aggression and intensity. The album may not be as well-known as some of their earlier releases, but it still holds an important place in the history of the metal genre.
Calm Before The Storm 12" Vinyl LP
Big Thumb Records WEN 1102 , 1984 , USA
"Doomed to Hell" was not recorded during the "American Assault" tour, nor was it recorded in the Netherlands. In fact, "Doomed to Hell" is not an actual Venom live album, but rather a bootleg recording that was falsely attributed to the band. The recording is often mislabeled as being from a live show in 1984, although the exact location and date of the recording remain unknown.
Doomed to Hell 12" Vinyl LP
NEAT Records RR 9639 , 1986 , Holland
"Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" is the live album released by English heavy metal band Venom in 1986. It contains partial recordings of two different concerts with two different setlists. The first disc contains a show recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in London on 8 October 1985 and the second disc recorded at The Ritz in New York City on 4 and 5 April 1986.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 12" Vinyl 2LP
Under One Flag FLAG 36 , 1989 , England
"Prime Evil" is a landmark album in the history of metal music. It marked a significant shift in Venom's sound and lyrical content, showcasing the band's growth as musicians. The album's polished sound and refined songwriting demonstrated the band's ability to evolve and adapt to changing musical landscapes.
Prime Evil 12" Vinyl LP
Roadrunner RR 125516 , 1983 , Holland
Warhead is a classic extreme metal album, featuring a raw and aggressive sound and dark and violent lyrical themes. The album helped to define the thrash and black metal genres and remains a fan favorite and significant influence on subsequent metal bands.
Warhead 12" Vinyl LP