On this day November 7 1987, Venom released Calm Before The Storm, their fifth studio album and a turning point in the band’s evolution. Known for pioneering extreme metal, Venom shifted toward a cleaner sound on this record while still maintaining their aggressive energy and dark themes.
Calm Before The Storm introduced new guitarist Jim Clare and showcased a slightly more melodic approach compared to their earlier raw style. Songs like The Chanting Of The Priests and Under A Spell displayed the band’s effort to expand creatively while keeping their heavy roots intact.
80s insight: Calm Before The Storm reflected the experimentation of 1980s metal, when even the heaviest bands explored new sounds without losing their power or identity.