Rock Notes from Monty Python's Contractual Obligations Album
Newscaster:
Rex Stardust, lead electric triangle with Toad the Wet Sprocket
has had to have an elbow removed following their recent
successful worldwide tour of Finland. Flamboyant ambidextrous Rex
apparently fell off the back of a motorcycle. "Fell off the back
of a motorcyclist, most likely," quipped ace drummer Jumbo
McCluney upon hearing of the accident. Plans are already afoot
for a major tour of Iceland.
Divorced after only eight minutes, popular television singing
star, Charisma, changed her mind on the way out of the registry
office, when she realized she had married one of the Donkeys by
mistake. The evening before in LA's glittering nightspot, the
Abitoir, she had proposed to drummer Reg Abbot of Blind Drunk,
after a whirlwind romance and a knee-trembler. But when the
hangover lifted, it was Keith Sly of the Donkeys who was on her
arm in the registry office. Keith, who was too ill to notice,
remained unsteady during the short ceremony and when asked to
exchange vows, began to recite names and addresses of people who
also used the stuff. Charisma spotted the error as Keith was
being carried into the wedding ambulance and became emotionally
upset. However, the mistake was soon cleared up, and she stayed
long enough to consummate their divorce.
Dead Monkeys are to split up again, according to their manager,
Lefty Goldblatt. They've been in the business now ten years, nine
as other groups. Originally the Dead Salmon, they became for a
while, Trout. Then Fried Trout, then Poached Trout In A White
Wine Sauce, and finally, Herring. Splitting up for nearly a
month, the re-formed as Red Herring, which became Dead Herring
for a while, and then Dead Loss, which reflected the current
state of the group. Splitting up again to get their heads
together, they reformed a fortnight later as Heads Together, a
tight little name which lasted them through a difficult period
when their drummer was suspected of suffering from death. It
turned out to be only a rumor and they became Dead Together, then
Dead Gear, which lead to Dead Donkeys, Lead Donkeys, and the
inevitable split up. After nearly ten days, they reformed again
as Sole Manier, then Dead Sole, Rock Cod, Turbot, Haddock, White
Baith, the Places, Fish, Bream, Mackerel, Salmon, Poached Salmon,
Poached Salmon In A White Wine Sauce, Salmon-monia, and Helen
Shapiro. This last name, their favorite, had to be dropped
following an injunction and they split up again. When they
reformed after a recordbreaking two days, they ditched the fishy
references and became Dead Monkeys, a name which they stuck with
for the rest of their careers. Now, a fortnight later, they've
finally split up.
(telephone ringing)
Hello.
"Hello"
Yes?
"What do you think of Dead Duck?"
What do I think of Dead Duck?
"or Lobster?"
Lobster?...
HIDDEN ARTICLE FOUR
VENOM DISCOGRAPHY
by Richard Karsmakers
This discography totals to 93 entries. Thanks, among others, to
the researchers of "The Best of Venom - In Memorium" and the
Dutch "Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Encyc
lopedie". It was hidden because, well, it had already been
featured before and there really was no other place to put it. I
wanted to use it again because this issue has the ultra-amazing
Venom interview, and this discography has also been enhanced and
improved a bit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICIAL ALBUMS & MINI LPs
-----------------------------------------------------------------
61 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.
- Standard version, Castle Classics CLACD 254. 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.
- Standard version, Castle Classics CLACD 256. 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.
- Castle Classics CLACD 246. 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
Hickey (guitar), Jim Clare (guitar).
Calm Before the Storm
Featuring "Black XMas", "The Chanting of the Priests", "Metal
Punk", "Under A Spell", "Calm Before the Storm", "Fire", "Krackin
Up", "Beauty and the Beast", "Deadline", "Gypsy" and "Muscle".
- Filmtrax Moment 115 (released January 1987). Vinyl.
- Filmtrax Mom CD 115 (released November 1987). CD.
- Filmtrax UN 632-2 (1987), Canada. CD.
- Titles "Metal Punk", Soundwings 111.1101-2. 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, featuring "Tribes", "Even in
Heaven", "Trinity MCMXLV 0530", "In Memory of (Paul Miller 1964-
1990)", "Faerie Tale", "Playtime", "Acid", "Arachnid", "Speed
King" and "Temples of Ice".
- Under One Flag MFLAG 51 (released May 1991). Vinyl.
- Under One Flag FLAG CSD 37 (released May 1991). CD.
- Under One Flag CDFLAG 56. CD.
Line up: Abaddon (drums), Mantas (guitar), Tony "Demolition Man"
Dolan (bass and vocals), Steve "War Maniac" White (guitar) and
VXS/VHS (keyboard and effects).
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". Released 1992. Music For
Nations CDFLAG 72. CD.
Compilations of classic Venom line-up.
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 16089 CD. 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.
Line-up with Tony Dolan, Mantas and Abaddon (most likely).
Old, New, Borrowed and Blue
A compilation featuring "Countess Bathory", "Skeletal Dance",
"Speed King", "Welcome to Hell", "Playtime", "Die Hard",
"Clarisse", "Hell Bent for Leather", "Prime Evil", "Teacher's
Pot", "School Daze", "Megalomania", "Temples of Ice", "Witching
Hour". Music for Nations CDBLEED 7. CD.
Compilation with varying line-up.
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.
Unknown line-up.
Kissing the Beast
New Venom playing old Venom songs, so probably released in 1988
or beyond. CD.
The reunited classic line-up of Cronos, Mantas and Abaddon.
Venom '96
An EP with no catalogue number or label specification, known to
have been sold at least at the Dynamo Open Air 1996 site. Tracks
are "7 Gates of Hell", "Welcome to Hell", "In Nomine Satanas",
"Black Metal" and a new song snippet, "The Evil One". All songs
re-recorded April 1996. CD.
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7" & 12" VINYL SINGLES
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CASSETTE SINGLES
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
VIDEOS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
BOOTLEGS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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,
bad English, youthful arrogance, insults, bravura, over-crediting and
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
kind should be regarded as outdated. Due to the fact that these pages are
not actually contained in an Atari executable here, references to scroll
texts, featured demo screens and hidden articles may also be irrelevant.