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Without a doubt a metal classic, Venom's first album is still hailed by many as one of the best metal albums of all times. This album has inspired quite a number of bands over the years, with its mixing of heavy metal with punk, with aggressive raw vocals (not as common back then as they are today), the chaotic result not without reminding me of some of Motörhead's stuff. The playing is quite simplistic, I even remember the band saying they didn't play very well, but this is far offset by the end result - catchy yet aggressive songs with that "old, warm" sound of early metal bands, the kind of stuff that you can't stop headbanging to. The sound is definitely not polished but, like I often say for some Black Metal bands, it is very fitting to the raw music played by the band and I don't think a cleaner sound would make it justice. Venom are just one more proof that good music is not just about musicianship (and vice versa... I won't name any band - hehe. ;))

While the satanic lyrics pale in comparison to what some extreme metal bands sing today, 20 years ago they were the nightmare of many religious and censorship organization. Nevertheless, I can't shake the feeling that Venom's satanic image was just that - for show. Just an opinion - not that I care much about that anyway. ;) This album is simply mandatory.