Description

Venom – At War With Satan – Compact Disc

Venom’s album At War With Satan, released in 1984, represents a bold and ambitious chapter in the band’s evolution, further solidifying their influence in the heavy metal genre, particularly within the emerging black metal scene. This album is noted for its experimental approach compared to their earlier works, featuring more complex song structures and thematic depth.

The title track, At War With Satan, is a standout feature of the album—a 20-minute epic that narrates an apocalyptic battle between Heaven and Hell, showcasing the band’s foray into more elaborate storytelling and musicianship. This track is a departure from the more straightforward, aggressive style of their previous album, Black Metal, and demonstrates a narrative complexity that was unusual for the genre at the time.

At War With Satan incorporates faster tempos, thrashier guitar riffs, and a greater emphasis on atmosphere. The rest of the album maintains Venom’s characteristic sound with raw, powerful tracks that continue to explore themes of darkness and rebellion, but with a noticeably more developed and dynamic approach to composition and performance.

The album was both a critical and a conceptual leap for Venom, illustrating their willingness to push the boundaries of heavy metal music. While it received mixed reviews due to its ambitious scope and departure from their established style, At War With Satan is revered among fans for its boldness and has earned a cult status for its unique place in Venom’s discography and the wider metal genre.

Track Listing

1. At War With Satan
2. Rip Ride
3. Genocide
4. Cry Wolf
5. Stand Up (And Be Counted)
6. Women, Leather And Hell
7. Aaaaaaarrghh

Bonus Tracks:
8. At War With Satan (TV Adverts)
9. Warhead (12′ Version)
10. Lady Lust (12′ version)
11. The Seven Gates Of Hell (12′ Version)
12. Manitou (12′ Version)
13. Woman (12′ Version)
14. Dead Of Night (12′ Version)
15. Manitou (Abbey Road uncut)