Venom: Into Oblivion (Clear & Black Smoke Vinyl) (2LP)

Venom was founded in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1979. They rose to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Their first two albums - "Welcome to Hell" (1981) and "Black Metal" (1982) - are considered formative for thrash metal and extreme metal in general. The second album was so influential that its title was used as the name for the extreme metal subgenre black metal. Often cited as major influences by bands like Metallica, Behemoth, Celtic Frost and Mayhem, they are one of the most revered bands of their generation. "Into Oblivion" is Venom's sixteenth studio album and features the long-standing line-up of Cronos (bass/vocals and founding member), Rage (guitar) and Dante (drums). Their first new recordings since 2018's "Storm The Gates", the new album features thirteen songs in the typical Venom style: heavy, dark and catchy. It combines their classic 80s sound with a more modern, progressive approach, but without losing the old energy and unbridled drive.