VENOM/AT WAR WITH SATAN/1983 NEAT RECORDS
Hey all…..The Dark Orb here with a another review. Today I review a very epic album. An album that defines the true meaning of black metal. Since their debut album “Welcome To Hell” was released (1981/Neat Records), Venom has been in my top favorties list since high school. This Newcastle England based trio has been aptly named “The Kings Of Black Metal” for their blatant disregard for christianity and all that is holy and pure(nothing about christianity is pure really or holy for that matter). With the second album titled “Black Metal” (many debates have been discussed on this topic about the authenticity of the genre being based on this album title), Venom continued to offend and arouse at the same time. While religious groups wanted their music banned,Venom’s fan base continued to grow and the cries of Jesus freaks fell on deaf ears. Enter 1983, metal was on the rise and the music got more dark and brutal. With the release of “At War With Satan”, Cronos and Co. have acquired icon status and honorable mention among the metal elite. The opening title track is an enduring 20 minutes covering an entire album or cassette side (if you downloaded this and got a 5 minute song, you got ganked son), and was also based on the novel “Paradise Lost” by John Milton depicting the casting out of Lucifer and his angels and the revenge they take on the heavens. Side two opens with the blistering “Rip Ride” ( an honorable mention), that takes the listener on just that, one of the fastest tracks for you speed heads out there. Following up is “Genocide”, a rather dismal look at extinction before there was a count down to it, “Cry Wolf ” is the ultimate guide to lycanthropic living before Twilight came along and fucked it up for everybody. Since I’m halfway through the tracklist I might as well continue on. Continuing this onslaught is “Stand Up And Be Counted” a nice little ditty telling their bloody legions to come forth and wreak havoc. “Women, Leather, And Hell” well that doesnt need much explanation does it? Ending this album is the track affectionately called “AAAAaaaarrrghhh” so you can guess what thats about. In 2002 “At War” was given a major makeover and re-release which included 8 more tracks from different releases some of which never hit the states until now. On that note I would have to say that this album is most definitely a must have, if for nothing else than the extra tracks and the FULL title track. So to all black metal fans who need a classic fix, look no further. 9.5/10
| Side A |
| No. |
Title |
Length |
| 1. |
“At War with Satan” |
19:57 |
| Side B |
| No. |
Title |
Length |
| 2. |
“Rip Ride” |
3:09 |
| 3. |
“Genocide” |
2:59 |
| 4. |
“Cry Wolf” |
4:19 |
| 5. |
“Stand Up (And Be Counted)” |
3:32 |
| 6. |
“Women, Leather and Hell” |
3:21 |
| 7. |
“Aaaaaarrghh” |
2:25 |
| Bonus tracks in 2002 re-release by Castle Music/Sanctuary Records Group |
| No. |
Title |
Length |
| 8. |
“At War With Satan (TV Adverts)” |
1:04 |
| 9. |
“Warhead” |
3:40 |
| 10. |
“Lady Lust” |
2.48 |
| 11. |
“The Seven Gates of Hell” |
5:28 |
| 12. |
“Manitou” |
4:42 |
| 13. |
“Woman” |
2:56 |
| 14. |
“Dead of the Night” |
4:09 |
| 15. |
“Manitou (Abbey Road uncut mix)” |
|
