What makes Possessed by Venom notable?

This album is notable for its impact on the burgeoning thrash metal scene, influencing countless bands that emerged in the late 80s. It also peaked at number 35 on the UK Albums Chart, showcasing Venom's commercial appeal while maintaining their underground ethos. Released in January 1985, 'Possessed' was Venom's third studio album, following their influential release 'Black Metal' in 1982. By this time, the band had solidified their reputation as pioneers of extreme metal, pushing boundaries with heavy riffs and provocative imagery.

Who is Possessed for?

Possessed works well if you're into relentless energy from start, occasional haunting vocal contrasts and short bursts of aggression.

How many songs are on Possessed?

Possessed has 13 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Possessed

Venom · 1985

42 min · 13 tracks · heavy metal

Raw energy and aggression fuel this relentless speed metal assault, blending dark themes with frenetic guitar work.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Powerdrive — Opening with a frenzied pace, this track sets the tone for the album with its aggressive riffs and powerful vocal delivery, encapsulating Venom's raw energy.
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Possessed — The title track merges haunting melodies with relentless speed, exemplifying the band's ability to blend dark themes with intricate musicianship.
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Satanachist — With its driving rhythm and blasphemous lyrics, this song represents Venom's thematic preoccupation with Satanism and rebellion against mainstream culture.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

Possessed showcases aggressive speed metal with frenetic guitar work, influencing the thrash scene while maintaining its raw energy.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tempo, maintaining high energy through the first half before introducing slower moments in the latter tracks.
Guitar solos are frequent and often chaotic, with multiple tracks featuring rapid shifts in rhythm and intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

relentless energy from start
occasional haunting vocal contrasts
short bursts of aggression
steady pace for headbanging
for late-night intensity

Maybe skip if you

prefer softer musical experiences
seek lengthy atmospheric pieces

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in January 1985, 'Possessed' was Venom's third studio album, following their influential release 'Black Metal' in 1982. By this time, the band had solidified their reputation as pioneers of extreme metal, pushing boundaries with heavy riffs and provocative imagery.
Stylistic neighbors: Metallica· Slayer· Megadeth