

Before they solidified their signature black-metal sound, Venom exhibited lingering traces of ‘70s hard-rock swagger: The 1981 track “Sons of Satan” is powered by an adrenalized gallop that follows a trail blazed by Motörhead's roadhouse rave-ups. Even more out of character is the early live favorite “Teacher's Pet,” whose sleazy stomp is leavened by bluesy breakdowns and rare flashes of horndog humor from this otherwise severe band.