Blackened Priests - Deluxe Digipak 3-CD

37-track, three-disc set from extreme metal icons Venom.

Formed in 1978 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, Venom pioneered a raw hybrid form of punk and metal, wrapped in an overtly satanic image that is now credited with starting the black metal genre, as well as influencing the thrash and speed metal scenes that followed.

Ridiculed by the media but loved by fans who wanted a harder and faster fix of metal, Venom released three classic LPs in quick succession: 'Welcome To Hell' (1981), 'Black Metal' (1982) and 'At War With Satan' (1984).

After a couple of patchy albums, the band split in 1986, but returned two years later with drummer Abaddon, former Atomkraft frontman Tony Dolan on bass and vocals, and returning original guitarist Mantas, backed by new recruit Al Barnes. The four-piece signed to Music for Nations' Under One Flag imprint and released 'Prime Evil', which included a Black Sabbath cover. This album is supported here by the addition of six tracks from 1990's 'Tear Your Soul Apart' EP, including a Judas Priest cover.

This release is enhanced by the addition of liner notes by writer Darren Sadler, who has conducted brand new interviews with Tony Dolan and Al Barnes. Barnes has also contributed photos from his personal archive.

Dolan, Abaddon and Mantas formed Venom Inc in 2015 from the ashes of Mpire of Evil, and have released two albums to date. The band continues to tour worldwide, although Mantas recently left the line-up. Cronos, meanwhile, tour under the Venom name with an alternative line-up, with the two acts coexisting uneasily, but both keeping the Venom name alive and active.