Venom | Blackened Priests | Dissonance Productions

 

Formed in 1978 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Venom emerged as a volatile blend of punk urgency and early heavy metal, helping lay the foundations for what would later become known as black metal. Their early trio of albums—"Welcome To Hell" (1981), "Black Metal" (1982), and "At War With Satan" (1984)—quickly earned cult status for their raw aggression and confrontational image, even as critics dismissed them. Internal tensions and uneven output led to a split by 1986. However, a new phase of Venom began in 1988, when drummer Abaddon reformed the band with Tony "The Demolition Man" Dolan (ex-Atomkraft) handling vocals and bass. He was joined by returning guitarist Mantas and second guitarist Al Barnes, forming a four-piece that would go on to record three full-length albums between 1989 and 1992.

"Blackened Priests" compiles these three albums—"Prime Evil," "Temples Of Ice", and "The Waste Lands"—in a comprehensive 3-CD set. It serves as a chronicle of Venom’s evolution during the period when Cronos was no longer involved. This collection also includes the "Tear Your Soul Apart" EP and several bonus tracks, with some notable live recordings and covers of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Deep Purple material.

Disc one, "Prime Evil", marked a significant recalibration. The production is tighter, and the performances more disciplined. Dolan’s vocals bring a different edge—less unhinged than Cronos, but forceful in a more grounded way. The material is varied in pacing and tone, yet remains firmly within the band’s chaotic thrash approach. Bonus tracks from the "Tear Your Soul Apart" EP are included, adding value and historical context to the disc.

Disc two, "Temples Of Ice," sees the band shifting further into a streamlined thrash direction. The songwriting carries less of the spontaneous chaos that earlier Venom albums were known for. A mix of mid-tempo chugging and bursts of speed is paired with more accessible structures. The inclusion of a cover of Deep Purple’s "Speed King" is a clear nod to their influences but doesn't distract from the album’s consistency.

Disc three, "The Waste Lands," has a darker tone and slightly more experimental feel. The production leans towards a denser atmosphere, and the band pushes the pacing into more varied terrain. There’s a more dystopian feel here, perhaps reflective of the state of the band as the lineup neared dissolution. Songs like "Cursed" and "Need To Kill" reveal a shift into themes of decay and disillusionment, and while the energy never fully collapses, it’s apparent the group was nearing the end of this chapter.

The package is well-curated, enhanced by liner notes from Darren Sadler, who conducted new interviews with Tony Dolan and Al Barnes, and rare photos from Barnes’ archive. As a reissue, it offers a detailed document of a significant but often overlooked phase of Venom’s history.

Score: 7.5