It all started here. Before Mayhem, Emperor and Burzum terrorized Norway with a murder/suicide/arson spree while creating black metals infamous second wave, there was Venom. The U.K. trios essential 1982 album not only coined the genres name, but also laid the foundation for its sound and ethos. Though they were totally kidding about being Satanists, Venoms music was no joke. Cavernous, raw and hellish, Black Metal influenced everyone from Metallica and Slayer to any black-metal band youd care to name. J. Bennett