Audio CD review:
Venom - At War with Satan

Venom - At War with Satan

Band: Venom Title: At War with Satan Rating: Release Date: 01 July, 1991 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: At War With Satan 2: Manitou 3: Rip Ride 4: Genocide 5: Cry Wolf 6: Stand Up (And Be Counted) 7: Women Leather and Hell 8: Woman 9: Aaaaargghh

Customer Reviews Great early BM-classic A bit more sophisticated and diverse, and a clearer production. This underappreciated classic differs a bit from its 2 predecessors, Welcome To Hell and Black Metal. It contains only 7 songs (the original version), but the title track lasts well over 15 minutes; a great collection of riffs and different styles, this track alone already justifies the purchase of this album. Other great tracks include "Cry Wolf" "Genocide" "Stand Up And Be Counted" and my alltime favourite Venom song "Rip Ride. " That baby shreds! When this album, their 3rd, was released in 1984, Venom was the top extreme act, but the band was already competing with young Slayer and Metallica. Both Slayer and Metallica released thrash classics in and around 84. (Both were opening for Venom on their completely over-the-top gigs around that time). But when listened to now, it is quite clear that Venom played a different style of music. Slayer and Metallica both evolved into supertight, dark thrash and Venom more or less stayed sloppy, raw and black. They remain the true pioneers of the black metal genre, but after 85 however they had lost it completely and Slayer and Metallica were still progressing considerably. Not their greatest album perhaps, but still essential. Fans of black metal, 80s metal, thrash metal, whatever, your collection should include this album. The last true classic by one of the greatest metal bands of the 80s. . An excellent, somewhat underappreciated album OK, "Women Leather and Hell" isn't very good, and the last track is little more than Venom fooling around in the studio, but the rest of the album is excellent. Some Venom fans were disappointed when this album was released way back in 1985; I really don't know why. The highlight is undoubtedly the 18 minute title track, which is an epic sort of like Rush's "2112" with an evil Satanic theme. If nothing else this proved that critics of the band who said that Venom had little songwriting ability and could barely play their instruments were very mistaken. Also, the production on this album is much clearer and sharper than on the previous two releases, which surprised some (including myself). This is an important addition to any 1980's black metal collection; unfortunately, this CD is becoming hard to find. If you can find one, I recommend the remastered CD that Castle Communications released in 2002; the sound is somewhat better, and it includes several bonus tracks, including the classic "Seven Gates of Hell". . addendum originally, it looked as if you were opening some evil spell book - pretty amazing to a 12 year old, which i was when i first saw it. oh, this release was more impressive in lp form. the first track filled up the entire first side of the lp! it would be great if whatever company venom now have distributing this stuff would release "at war . . . " with an artwork layout more reminiscent of the original. . You can see a complete list of all Venom discography, or go back to the Venom tabs