The UK trio Venom parlayed a thunderous and malevolent brand of thrash metal that wielded an enormous influence on black metal—a genre term that they themselves coined with the title of their sophomore album. The band's gruesome aesthetic hinged on a lyrical fascination with all things Satanic, delivered in howling vocals over a sludgy mix of distortion, volume and speed that was equal parts Black Mass and air raid drill. Venom's singularly morbid focus and abrasive sound found little critical support, but enjoyed a dedicated kvlt following among the black metal faithful.