Venom (8) – Black Metal

Original released in U.K. on the 1st of November in 1982.

Recorded in 7 days, during the flourish of the N.W.O.B.H.M. in the UK, Cronos shaped its sound as heavy as it could get.
It became the most important release of the band.

''Black Metal'' gave birth (and name) to the genre, also influenced the creation of other Extreme Metal styles such as Thrash, Speed and Death.

The emblematic artwork was created by Cronos.

First pressings have embossed front sleeve (artist + title), black album title, insert and poster.
"Bloodlust" is added to the 2 slightly different Italian pressings (NEAT 1005, 1982), placed between Raise the Dead (misspelled as Raise the Need on made in Italy by Base Record version) and Teacher's Pet.
Silver album title can be found in represses.

Side B Neat Records label with "Printed as made by Sleeveprint LTD Bedford" on the bottom right of the back sleeve released on the following label colors: red (only red has a pressed embossed circle on labels)

For unknown reason yet (repress or not) a variation appears on side B Neat Records label with "Printed as made by Sleeveprint LTD Bedford" on the bottom left of the back sleeve released on the following label colors: red.