Search - Venom :: Black Reign

Black Metal Gods

07/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I held the cover in my hands-feeling somewhat concerned about what lay within. In demonic form the master himself displayed on the front in embossed glory...three anti gods adorn the back.Should I play this? I place the CD in...and retreat to the furthest corner of the room! So begins my journey to the realms of Hades!Cronos growls and spits the words "Lay down your souls to the Gods Rock N Roll", there is no turning back as we journey on together "Too Hell and Back". "Buried Alive" slows the pace , an atmospheric classic complete with own burial service....but you cant keep a good/bad man down and we "Raise the Dead!" They decide to "Leave Me In Hell" to observe a "Sacrifice". This classic album is rounded out by "Heavens On Fire", the legendary "Countess Bathory" and "Dont Burn The Witch." A masterful demonic delight- and my hand still trembles twelve years later when I lift the cd and return it to the safety of the rack!"

There is no alternative...

10/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blasting forth with the awesome opening track, Venom unleashes the prototype black/death metal album; the blueprint that has been followed for the past 17 years and counting. Raw, raging and dripping with atmosphere and attitude, Venom had absolutely no idea what kind of musical monster they had contributed to history. They were a band with very little musical proficiency and mostly worked with rage, presentation and attitude, but rarely has such a musical combo worked the magic that Venom did. Mantas(guitar, and the best musician of the bunch),Abbadon (a hapless drummer that tried very very hard) and Cronos (ALL attitude and outrageousness, oh and by the way, the bass player!)churn out sounds of torture, anguish and stories of demons and Satan, and on one memeorable tune, sexual debauchery/decadence taught to them by their favorite teacher(!). "Black Metal", while a bit primitive and "old" sounding nowadays, is THE prototype thrash/black/death metal album, one that will continue to influence next generations for as long as there are people interested in metal."

A Mighty Sinister Slab

03/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is as much death punk as black metal. The record actually benefits from the murky production and loose playing. This is where it all began; blame them if you will. An undisputed classic. The extra single tracks like "Die Hard" and "Acid Queen" make it indespensible for fans of darkened chaos. EEEAAAARRRGGHHHH!!!!!!"