"When you can't find anyone else to blame but yourself, it's
time to hire help."
Eileen Mason
VENOM DISCOGRAPHY
by Richard Karsmakers
Because this issue features an interview with Abaddon, drummer
of thrash/speed/death/black/doom metal gods/originators Venom, I
reckoned it might be wise to include a discography here. Some of
the information is hard to get, and even other sources sometimes
miss out on stuff. So here it is, made completely without the
help of people in the Internet.
If I hadn't had the Dream Theater dedication, I think it's
pretty obvious who the dedication would have gone to.
This discography totals to 86 entries. Thanks, among others, to
the researchers of "The Best of Venom - In Memorium" and the
Dutch "Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Encyclopedie".
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OFFICIAL ALBUMS & MINI LPs
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54 entries
Original line-up: Cronos (bass & vocals), Abaddon (drums),
Mantas (guitar).
Welcome to Hell
Featuring "Sons of Satan", "Welcome to Hell", "Schizo", "Mayhem
with Mercy", "Poison", "Live like an Angel", "Witching Hour",
"One Thousand Days to Sodom", "Angel Dust", "In League with
Satan" and "Red Light Fever".
- Original version with poster and lyric sheet, NEAT 1002
(released January 1981). Vinyl.
- Limited Edition picture disc, NEAT P1002 (released January
1981). Vinyl.
- USA version with bonus tracks "In Nominae Satanas" and
"Bursting Out", Combat MX 8032 (released January 1985). Vinyl.
- Standard version, Castle Classics CLACD 255 (released 1992).
CD.
Black Metal
Featuring "Black Metal", "To Hell and Back", "Buried Alive",
"Raise the Dead", "Teachers Pet", "Leave me in Hell",
"Sacrifice", "Heavens on Fire" and "Countess Bathory / At War
With Satan (Intro)".
- Original version with poster and lyric sheet, NEAT 1005
(released January 1982). Vinyl.
- Limited Edition picture disc, NEAT P1005 (released January
1982). Vinyl.
- USA version with bonus tracks "Acid Queen", "Blood Lust", "Die
Hard", Combat MX 8030 (released January 1985). Vinyl.
- Standard version, re-issue, Road runner Rr 9708 (released April
1989). Vinyl.
- Standard version, Neat CD1005 (released June 1985). CD.
- Standard version, Roadracer RO 9708 2 (released 1990). CD.
Warfare - Pure Filth
Initial copies of this thing came with a free single including
the songs "This Machine Kills" and "Burn the Kings Road".
- Standard version, NEAT 1021 (released January 1984). Vinyl.
At War With Satan
Featuring "At War With Satan", "Rip Ride", "Genocide", "Cry
Wolf", "Stand Up and be Counted", "Women Leather and Hell" and
"Aaaaaarrghh". Vinyl versions are all gatefold sleeves.
- Original copy with lyric sheet. First 19,000 with poster, NEAT
1015 (released June 1984). Vinyl.
- Limited Edition picture disc, NEAT P1015 (released June 1984).
Vinyl.
- Standard version, re-issue, Road Runner 349869 (released April
1989). Vinyl.
- Standard version, NEAT CD1015 (released June 1985). CD.
- Standard version, Road Runner RR 349869 (released May 1989).
CD.
Possessed
Featuring "Powerdrive", "Flytrap", "Satanachist", "Burn This
Place (To the Ground)", "Harmony Dies", "Possessed", "Hellchild",
"Moonshine", "Suffer not the Children", "Voyeur", "Mystiqeu" and
"Too Loud (For the Crowd)".
- With printed inner sleeve and free poster order form, NEAT 1024
(released January 1985). Vinyl.
- Limited Edition picture disc, NEAT P1024 (released January
1985). Vinyl.
- Limited Edition on blue vinyl, NEAT P1024 (released January
1985). Vinyl.
- Standard version, re-issue, Roadrunner RR 9794 (released April
1989). Vinyl.
- Standard version, Castle CLACD 402 (released in 1994). CD.
From Hell to the Unknown
Raw Power RAW LP001, released January 1985.
- Standard version. Vinyl.
- Limited edition version on red vinyl. Vinyl.
The Official Bootleg / Live Official Bootleg
Featuring "Leave Me in Hell", "Countess Bathory", "Die Hard",
"Seven Gates of Hell", "Buried Alive", "Don't Burn the Witch",
"In Nomine Satanas", "Welcome to Hell", "Warhead", "Stand up and
be Counted" and "Bloodlust". These are versions recorded live at
the Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, on June 1st 1984.
Basically it's just an inferior-sounding audio mix of the "7th
Date of Hell" video.
- Picture Disc, APK PD12, released January 1985. Vinyl.
- Magnum Music Group, CDTL 04, released July 1987. CD.
Canadian Assault
Canadian mini LP, Banzai BAM 1002, released January 1985. Vinyl.
French Assault
French mini LP, NEW NW2817, released January 1985. Vinyl.
The Singles 80-86
Featuring "In League with Satan", "Live Like an Angel", "Blood
Lust", "In Nomine Satanus", "Die Hard", "Acid Queen", "Bursting
Out", "War Head", "Lady Lust", "Seven Gates of Hell", "Manitou"
and "Dead of the Nite".
- Raw Power RAW LP024 (released January 1986). Vinyl.
- Raw Power RAW CD024 (released September 1986). CD.
Live 1984-1985
Metalworks Records APK 12, released February 1986.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Featuring (recorded 1985, Hammersmith Odeon, London, probably in
October) "Intro", "Too Loud (for the Crowd)", "7 Gates of Hell",
"Leave me in Hell", "Nightmare", "Countess Bathory", "Die Hard",
"Schizo", "Guitar Solo Mantas", "In Nomine Satanas", "Witching
Hour" and (recorded at The Ritz, New York, March or April 1986)
"Black Metal", "The Chanting of the Priests", "Satanachist", "Fly
Trap", "Warhead", "Buried Alive", "Love Amongst the Dead" (i.e.
"Love Dead"), "Bass Solo Cronos", "Welcome to Hell" and
"Bloodlust".
- Standard version, double LP, NEAT 1032 (released December
1986). Vinyl.
- Standard version, double LP, re-issue, Roadrunner RR 9639
(released April 1989). Vinyl.
- Standard version, Neat Records XSO 132 (released November
1987). CD.
- Standard version, Neat Records CD 1032 (released before 1989
somewhere). CD.
Here Lies Venom
A boxed set containing "Welcome to Hell", "Black Metal", "At War
With Satan" and "American Assault". American picture disc import.
Released January 1987. Vinyl.
German Assault
German mini LP. Road Runner, RR 9659 (released January 1987).
Vinyl.
Scandinavian Assault
Scandinavian mini LP, Sonx S100 (released January 1987). Vinyl.
Italian Assault
Italian mini LP, Neat Records (released January 1987). Vinyl.
Line up change: Cronos (bass & vocals), Abaddon (drums), Mike H.
(guitar), Jim C. (guitar).
Calm Before the Storm
Complete track listing unknown, but includes "Deadline", "Black
Christmas", "Metal Punk", "Calm Before the Storm". A total of 11
tracks.
- Filmtrax Moment 115 (released January 1987). Vinyl.
- Filmtrax Mom CD 115 (released November 1987). CD.
Line up change: Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan (bass & vocals),
Abaddon (drums), Mantas (guitar).
Prime Evil
Featuring "Prime Evil", "Parasite", "Blackened Are the Priests",
"Carniverous", "Skeletal Dance", "Megalomania" (Black Sabbath
cover), "Insane", "Harder than Ever", "Into the Fire", "Skool
Daze" and "Live Like An Angel - Die Like A Devil".
- Standard version, Under One Flag MFLAG 36 (released January
1989). Vinyl.
- Limited Edition picture disc, MFLAG PD36 (released January
1989). Vinyl.
- Standard version, Under One Flag MFLAG CSD36 (released October
1989). Vinyl.
Japanese Assault
Japanese mini LP, still with the original line-up. Code 35177 25
(released January 1989).
- Standard version. Vinyl.
- Version with lyric sheet. CD.
Line up change: Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan (bass & vocals),
Jeff Mantas (guitar), Al Barnes (guitar), Abaddon (drums).
Tear Your Soul Apart
A mini LP featuring "Skool Daze", "Burstin' Out", "The Ark",
"Civilised", "Angel Dust", "Hellbent" (track by Judas Priest).
- Under One Flag MFLAG 50 (released November 1990). Vinyl.
- Under One Flag CDM 50 (released November 1990). CD.
Temples of Ice
The latest full-length studio LP.
- Under One Flag MFLAG 51 (released May 1991). Vinyl.
- Under One Flag FLAG CSD 37 (released May 1991). CD.
Skeletons in the Closet
A compilation of rare (and not so rare) stuff. Featuring "Tour
Intro Tapes ('83/'84) + Welcome to Hell" (remix), "Dead on
Arrival", "Snots Shit", "Black Metal" (remix), "Hounds of Hell",
"At War with Satan" (TV adverts), "At War With Satan" (full re-
edited version), "Bitch Witch", "Intro Tapes Tours '85/'86",
"Possessed" (remix), "Sadist (Mistress of the Whip"), "Manitou"
(Abbey Road Uncut Mix), "Angel Dust", "Raise the Dead", "Red
Light Fever" and "Venom Station" (IDs for America and Spain).
- Castle CCSCD 367 (released 1993), CD.
The Best of Venom - In Memorium
Another compilation. Featuring "Angel Dust", "Raise the Dead",
"Red Light Fever", "Buried Alive", "Witching Hour", "At War With
Satan" (partly), "Warhead", "Manitou", "Under a Spell"
(unreleased version from the "Calm before the Storm" session),
"Nothing Sacred" (idem), "Dead Love" (idem), "Welcome to Hell",
"Black Metal", "Countess Bathory" (live version, with Tom Dolan
on vocals and bass), "1000 Days in Sodom", "Prime Evil", "If You
Wanna War" (new track) and "Surgery" (new track). Released 1993
(Music Club MCCD 097). CD.
The Waste Lands
Featuring "Cursed", "I'm Paralysed", "Black Legions", "Riddle of
Steel", "Need to Kill", "Kissing the Beast", "Crucified", "Shadow
King", "Wolverine" and "Clarisse". Music For Nations CDFLAG 72.
CD.
Kissing the Beast
New Venom playing old Venom songs, so probably released in 1988
or beyond. CD.
Leave me in Hell
Cheap compilation CD featuring, "Leave me in Hell", "Black
Metal", "Burn this Place (to the Ground)", "Buried Alive",
"Schizo", "Witching Hour", "Teachers Pet", "Too Loud (for the
Crowd)", "Welcome to Hell", "Satanachist", "Fly Trap", "Sons of
Satan", "Poison", "Hellchild", "Angeldust" and "Powerdrive",
SUCCESS 1608 CD. CD.
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7" & 12" VINYL SINGLES
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20 entries
In League With Satan
With "Live Like An Angel" on the B side. NEAT 08, released
February 1982. 7" vinyl.
Blood Lust
With "In Nominae Satanas" on the B side. NEAT 13, released
August 1982. 7" vinyl.
Die Hard
With "Acid Queen" on the B side.
- NEAT 27, released May 1983. 7" vinyl.
- Limited edition of 1,000 copies for the American market,
picture disc. Megaforce LOM 1, released May 1983, 7" vinyl.
- With extra track "Bursting Out", NEAT 2712, released May 1983,
12" vinyl.
Warhead
With "Lady Lust" on the B side.
- Extremely limited with mauve vinyl, picture sleeve. NEAT 38,
released March 1984. 7" vinyl.
- With Cronos picture sleeve, NEAT 38, released March 1984. 7"
vinyl.
- With Mantas picture sleeve, NEAT 38, released March 1984. 7"
vinyl.
- With Abaddon picture sleeve, NEAT 38, released March 1984. 7"
vinyl.
- With extra track "Seven Gates of Hell", NEAT 3812. Released
January 1984. 12" vinyl.
- With extra track, limited edition blue vinyl, NEAT 3812,
released January 1984. 12" vinyl.
Manitou
With "Woman" on the B side.
- NEAT 43, released February 1985. 7" vinyl.
- Picture disc, NEAT P43, released February 1985. 7" vinyl.
- With extra track "Dead of Night", NEAT 4312, released September
1985. 12" vinyl.
Nightmare
With "Satanachist" on the B side.
- NEAT 47, released September 1985. 7" vinyl.
- Limited Edition shaped picture disc, NEAT P47, released
September 1985. 7" vinyl.
- With extra track "FOAD" ("Fuck Off And Die"), NEAT 4712,
released September 1985. Venom picture sleeve. 12" vinyl.
- With extra track "FOAD" ("Fuck Off And Die"), NEAT 4712,
released September 1985. Devil and Nude Girl picture sleeve.
12" vinyl.
- With extra tracks "FOAD" and "Warhead" (live), NEAT P4712,
released September 1985. 12" vinyl.
Hell at Hammersmith Live EP
Featuring "Witching Hour", "Teachers Pet" and "Poison".
- NEAT 5312, limited edition (10,000 copies). Released February
1986. 12" vinyl.
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CASSETTE SINGLES
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2 entries
Manitou
Featuring "Manitou", "Woman", "Dead of Night", "Dutch Radio
Interview". NEAT C43, released January 1984. Cassette.
Nightmare
Featuring "Nightmare", "Satanachist", "FOAD", "Radio Intro to
Warhead", "Warhead (live)", "Venom Legions Telephone Message".
NEAT C47, released January 1985. Cassette.
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VIDEOS
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9 entries
7th Date of Hell
Recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, June
1st 1984. Featuring "Leave me in Hell", "Countess Bathory", "Die
Hard", "7 Gates of Hell", "Buried Alive", "Don't Burn the Witch",
"In Nomine Satanus", "Welcome to Hell", "Warhead", "Stand Up And
be Counted" and "Bloodlust". Video.
Hell at Hammersmith
Recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, England,
probably October 1985 (at same gig as "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik").
Track listing unknown, but should at least include "Witching
Hour", "Teachers Pet" and "Poison". Video.
Alive in '85
No details known. Video, released in 1985.
Video Nightmare
No details known. Video.
Bloodlust
No details known. Video.
At War with Satan
No details known. Video.
Venom Victory
No details known. Video.
Video Singles
No details known. I guess it includes video clips. I know of
only one, i.e. that for "Nightmare". Video.
Combat Tour - The Ultimate Revenge
No details known other than that this video is rare and that
Slayer and Exodus are also on it. The Exodus gig was taped at
Dynamo Club, Eindhoven, Netherlands, so the rest might be too.
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BOOTLEGS
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1 entry
Doomed to Hell
Recorded at the Aardschokfestival, Ijsselhal, Zwolle,
Netherlands, February 11th 1984. Featuring "Die Hard", "Leaf me
in Hell", "Countess Bathory", "Someday to Hell", "Teachers Pet",
"Poison", "Burried Alive", "Don't Burn the Witch At War With
Satan", "In the Name of Satan", "Angel Dust", "Warhead (long
destructive version)", "Stand Up", "Wreck the Wright", "Schizo",
"Black Metal Maniac" and "In League with Satan" (these are the
tracks as mentioned on the sleeve - figure out yourself which
common tracks these are!).
- Big Thumb Records WEN 1102, released in 1984. vinyl.
Disclaimer
The text of the articles is identical to the originals like they appeared
in old ST NEWS issues. Please take into consideration that the author(s)
was (were) a lot younger and less responsible back then. So bad jokes,
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tastelessness should be taken with at least a grain of salt. Any contact
and/or payment information, as well as deadlines/release dates of any
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