Review by Brian McLean
Reversing the title from their 1982 landmark sophomore release Black Metal, Venom, the England based trio that created the foundation of extreme metal as well as terming the Black Metal genre, have laid down their first studio record since 2000 with the release of Metal Black through Sanctuary Records.
Even though bassist / vocalist Cronos is the only remaining member from the classic Venom lineup, the disc stays true to standard Venom form. It’s rough, raw, and to the point Venom style metal with no fancy production. There’s plenty of death and dark lyrical content.
For those wanting a repeat back to the classic days of Welcome to Hell, Black Metal and At War with Satan will surely be disappointed for Metal Black doesn’t approach that era of Venom. Metal Black can be summed up as new Venom.
Standouts like “Antechrist,” “Burn in Hell,” “Darkest Realms, “ “Assassin,” “Lucifer Rising,” “Blessed Dead,” “Sleep when I am Dead,” title track “Metal Black,” and “A Good Day to Die” with the nice slowed tempo change will pull the evil grin out of any laid back Venom fan.
Unfortunately there are several cuts such as “Burn in Hell” and ‘House of Pain” that just become annoying with the repetitive pinch harmonics measure after measure. The tracks should be tucked towards the end of the disc and not in the number two and three slots. The two can easily be skipped to get towards the meaty portion of the disc.
A Venom release just wouldn’t be the same without numerous references to Satan. That’s the way Venom is. Take it for what it’s worth.
The disc may not be the right purchase for the first timer Venom fan but for those who have been around the block a few times, add it to the collection.