With the arrival of May, we witnessed the return of a band that could be described as a milestone and starting point for the darker side of Metal—Venom. A band that has inspired countless Thrash, Black, and even Death Metal acts, Venom existed in metal history even “before Christ,” so to speak. And their comeback was not one of those watered-down, lifeless returns that we, unfortunately, see too often these days. On the contrary, Hell is an album that proves the devil’s child Cronos has added even more to his sound over the years, delivering a clear message: “Aging is not for me.”
Cronos is nothing short of a God for many—whether it's for Saint Anselmo himself or us old-school die-hards—and in Hell, released in the blessed year of 2008, he once again demonstrates his godlike, infernal power.
Being this ruthless after almost 30 years in the scene sets a serious example for us younger folks who often can’t be bothered to even lift a finger. One could probably create an entire website just to praise Cronos (and he’d fully deserve it), but let’s stick to reviewing one of the few good reasons to love the UK—Venom’s “Hell” album. It features 13 tracks and the lineup is: Cronos (vocals & bass), Rage (guitar), and Antton Lant (drums). As always, the lyrics revolve around the holy trinity of Venom themes: God, the Devil, and Evil. What really stood out to me is how much more aggressive the vocals and guitar tone are compared to earlier Venom records. This diversity is precisely why the band can’t be boxed into a single subgenre—the purest, rawest veins of metal can be felt in this record.
Tracklist:
01 - Straight To Hell
02 - The Power And The Glory
03 - Hand Of God
04 - Fall From Grace
05 - Hell
06 - Evil Perfection
07 - Stab U In The Back
08 - Armageddon
09 - Kill The Music
10 - Evilution Devilution
11 - Blood Sky
12 - USA For Satan
13 - Dirge - The Awakening
This album is packed with what we’d call “hits.” Each track stands on its own, so I can’t single one out as the highlight. Still, a few deserve some commentary.
The opening track, Straight to Hell, immediately throws you into another world. After a brief coma-like intro, Cronos starts creeping in with “You’re going straight to hell,” drilling into your mind. He doesn’t forget to seal the deal with a twisted grin: “Satan starts to laugh.” The short bass and guitar solos in the song bring the full spirit of the ’80s back to life. (Honestly, I’m obsessed with the sinister grin he brings to his performances.)
Tracks like The Power and the Glory, Evil Perfection, and Fall From Grace (especially that “Sake - sake - fall from grace” energy burst) hit with raw intensity. Hand of God is especially noteworthy for its scathing lyrical attack and a guitar solo that enters with a reverb-drenched vocal line, creating a full-blown witches’ cauldron atmosphere.
The title track Hell is practically a sonic painting of its namesake. Even Picasso in his Blue Period couldn’t dream up a depiction this vivid. You can practically feel the heat of hellfire on your neck, as Cronos calls us to join his infernal ranks amid blood, war, and flames. If you’re still sitting calmly by this point, this song is your wake-up call.
Track 8, Armageddon, is one of my personal favorites. The guitar tone is so perfectly dialed in, you could spend an entire week just looping this song. Right after that, Kill (Fucking) the Music comes in swinging—easily one of the most aggressive tracks on the album.
As the album winds down, we’re hit with two final blows. USA for Satan is a blunt, politically charged piece that speaks for itself, while Dirge – The Awakening is composed of fragmented drum and guitar parts layered under Cronos’ tortured screams. It’s an unholy and haunting closer.
This is an album that absolutely deserves a place in your collection. Even if the file size scares you—download it anyway. This is a live broadcast from hell, and you don’t want to miss it.