Originally released in 1987,
Calm Before the Storm
(also known as
Deadline
) was the first
Venom
studio album following the departure of original guitarist
Mantas
. The main difference isn't so much in the sound -- which is as crude as ever -- as in the subject matter; the Satanic posturing has been greatly toned down in favor of general swords-and-sorcery and rock & roll themes. As such, it's not quite as over the top as early period
-- one of the band's most important qualities -- but it's worth checking out by more devoted fans. ~ Steve Huey