Formation of the Black Metal Legions

VENOMs debut album Welcome to Hell arrived with a bang in 1981. Nobody heard such a harsh production on a Heavy Metal record so far. Some say it sounded only that extreme because of the cheap equipment they used during the three day recording session at Neat Records studio. Nonetheless Welcome to Hell paved the way to the term Black Metal used on VENOMs second album. Messrs. Chronos, Mantas and Abaddon of Newcastle upon Tyne scorched out a unique blend of very dark, very distorted and very unusual music. Tracks like Witching Hour or One Thousand Days in Sodom are still very impressive today. At the time the metal community was extremly impressed by their visual presence. Pics first released in Kerrang magazine or on their records had them always caught in over the top poses. Almost all their lyrics contained some satanic Hints. All in all, they were a breed apart but today Welcome to Hell is a classic. Best Tracks: Live like an Angel (Die like a Devil), Witching Hour, In League with Satan. Released in 1981. Be sure to buy the 2002 release on Castle/Sanctuary with 11 bonus tracks. 666