Venom (8) – Welcome To Hell

I traded my copy of Led Zeppelin IV for “Welcome To Hell” with a friend at school in 1985. Literally did the trade at school. I think he purchased the Venom record not knowing what it was. I was 16 years old just getting into Slayer and the like. Even though this record came out in 1981, Black Metal and Thrash Metal were just starting to gain momentum around 1984-85. It was fucking exciting and still created shock value. You could wear a Venom or Slayer shirt in public and get stares. People were scared which made me love it all the more. Upon first listen of “Welcome To Hell” I have to it I was slightly confused. It was such a heavy sound that I could barely make out the melodies. After a few listens combined with the imagery, lyrics, etc it quickly became one of my favorites. I still think this is their best record hands down. Fast forward a few month later, I saw Venom, Slayer and Exodus at the Hollywood Palladium in April of 1985. I had just turned 17 years old. Incredible fucking night. Too much detail to go into here but I will simply share that there was 3 slam pits the entire night with people throwing fireworks off the balconies. When Venom hit the stage the whole place exploded even more. Abaddon had “Fucking” written on one kick drum and “Cunt” written on the other in huge block letters. About half way into their set Cronos did a 5-10 min bass solo that consisted of making his bass sound like a revving motorcycle while forking his tongue at the audience. They walked off stage at the end of their set with everyone going ballistic yelling for them to come out again. After a long pause they came out and did their encore with “Witching Hour”. At the end of the song they FULLY destroyed ALL their equipment. Over turned stacks, guitars trough the speakers, smashed drums and actual electrical smoke coming up from all the broken gear after the house lights came on. And by the way, I stand by my conviction that Venom ARE the fathers of Black Metal. They fucking coined the term. Does “Venom-Black Metal” (1982) ring a bell?? Long before Burzum and other bands that people claim to be the originators. Nope, sorry. If you were around in the early-mid 80’s then you know differently. It was a glorious time—the best.

Looking for the sleeve and poster for this release. Does anyone out there have one to part with?

Looking to buy just a sleeve preferably from one of the 81 pressings from Italy to go with my Italian pressing. But would take petty much any 80's sleeve that's vg.