Venom's original personnel came from three different bands: Guillotine, Oberon and Dwarfstar. The original Guillotine featured Jeffrey Dunn and Dave Rutherford on guitars, Dean Hewitt on bass guitar, Dave Blackman on vocals, and Chris Mercater on drums who replaced Paul Burke, the original drummer when the band was founded. Blackman and Mercater were later also replaced by drummer Anthony Bray and vocalist Clive Archer. Later, Dean Hewitt was replaced by Alan Winston on bass. Around that time a number of personnel changes occurred. Clive Archer, Eric Cook, Tony Bray and Ian Kell formed a band while working at Reyrolles. Ian Kell was replaced in mid-1978. In late 1979, Conrad Lant replaced Dave Rutherford. Lant later switched to bass after the departure of Winston. The band members took on new stage names. Archer became "Jesus Christ", Lant "Cronos", Tony Bray "Abbadon", and Jeff Dunn "Mantas".
Prime influences of the formative band were Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Kiss. Other musicians that have influenced Venom are Deep Purple, Sex Pistols, the Who, the Tubes, Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley.
'Welcome to Hell' influenced several later bands. Venom's music helped shape the development of many thrash metal bands, specifically the "Big Four of Thrash" (who in turn were highly influential): Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth (Metallica opened for Venom on an early 1980s tour, and Venom opened for Metallica and Slayer on the Ride the Lightning tour, and Slayer played with them and Exodus on the Combat Tour in 1985). Venom would also be of extreme importance to the black metal scene and even the early death metal scene, with numerous bands copying styles, themes, and imagery from the band, such as the Swiss band Hellhammer (later to become Celtic Frost), whom also helped pioneer the genres. Music critic Bradley Torreano wrote that Venom "caught the attention of both metalheads and punks, the band was emulated by the former and turned into camp icons by the latter." Henry Rollins once compared the band to Spinal Tap.
Leave Me In Hell
Venom Lyrics
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Torment beastial sex
Mother screaming in pain
Father rules hell's domain
I don't want to be born
I don't want it
Leave me in hell
Danger gold pentagram
Karma Hell bears its child
Reaper sharpens his scythe
I don't want to be born
I don't want it
Leave me in hell
Hail Satanic Majesties
Sabbath my crucifix
Evil chief satanist
Danger possessed by hell
Master cast me a spell
I don't want to be born
I don't want it
Leave me in hell
The lyrics to Venom's "Leave Me In Hell" depict a dark and disturbing image of a child's birth into a Satanic world. The song begins with the date of June 6, 1966, which is commonly known as the "Number of the Beast" in reference to the biblical book of Revelation. The lyrics then describe the act of bestial sex and a mother screaming in pain, giving birth to a child in a demonic underworld ruled by the father. The child expresses his desire to not be born into this world, pleading to be left in hell instead.
The second verse recounts a sacrifice, presumably performed to appease the demonic forces at play. The lyrics mention a gold pentagram and a full-blooded ram being sacrificed, further emphasizing the dark and ritualistic nature of the song. The child is described as a product of the consequences of the Satanic karma, and the reaper, or death, is sharpening his scythe to claim him.
Next, the chorus repeats the child's plea to be left in hell, indicating that he views it as a preferable alternative to living in this Satanic environment. The song then references the "Satanic Majesties" and the Sabbath, further reinforcing the Satanic overtones. The final verses describe the evil chief satanist casting a spell on the child, solidifying his place in this hellish existence. The child's repeated refrain of "I don't want to be born, I don't want it" signifies a deep-seated desire to escape this hellish existence.
Overall, "Leave Me In Hell" offers a disturbing and graphic depiction of life in a Satanic underworld. The lyrics describe birth, death, sacrifice, and dark rituals, evoking a feeling of horror and dread. The repeated chorus emphasizes the child's desire to escape this environment and the deeply rooted sense of despair and hopelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight six sixty six
Referring to the concept of the devil's number, 666, and signaling the start of dark rituals at midnight.
Torment beastial sex
The intense and violent sexual rituals that often take place during satanic worship.
Mother screaming in pain
The agony and pain felt by a woman in labor, representing the suffering and turmoil of human life.
Father rules hell's domain
The presence of Satan, or a satanic figure, as the ultimate ruler of the underworld and all its inhabitants.
I don't want to be born
The rejection and disgust of existence, and a desire not to be born into human life.
I don't want it
Further emphasis on the singer's strong desire to avoid existence and human life.
Leave me in hell
The ultimate plea to be left in the fiery depths of hell, where the singer feels at home.
Danger gold pentagram
The gold pentagram, a powerful symbol in satanic worship, representing danger and the potential for evil.
Sacrifice full blooded ram
The ritualistic sacrifice of an animal, often a full-blooded ram, as a way to appease Satan and gain favor in hell.
Karma Hell bears its child
The idea that one's actions on earth will lead to inevitable consequences in hell, making it the 'child' of karma.
Reaper sharpens his scythe
The unavoidable presence of death, and the symbolism of the reaper sharpening his scythe to claim more souls.
Hail Satanic Majesties
The act of showing reverence to Satan as a powerful, majestic figure.
Sabbath my crucifix
The use of a crucifix, a religious symbol, in a sabbath or satanic ritual as a symbol of rebellion and blasphemy.
Evil chief satanist
The figurehead and leader of a group of Satanists, who may hold great power and influence over the rest of the group.
Danger possessed by hell
The risk and danger of being possessed by demons, who may bring hellish consequences to the individual.
Master cast me a spell
The placement of the artist under a powerful spell by a master of the dark arts, further tying them to the hellish realm.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANTHONY C. BRAY, CONRAD THOMAS LANT, JEFFREY DUNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind