Prime Evil

"Prime Evil" is the sixth studio album by the English heavy metal band Venom. Released on October 9, 1989, it marks a significant period in the band's history due to changes in its lineup. This album is notable for introducing a new vocalist and bassist, Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan, formerly of the band Atomkraft. He replaced original frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant, who departed the band to pursue a solo career.

The album features a blend of thrash metal influences while retaining the signature black metal style that Venom pioneered in the early 1980s. "Prime Evil" was produced by Kevin Ridley and Venom, and it showcases a raw and energetic sound with aggressive riffs and dark thematic elements typical of Venom's work.

Some of the standout tracks on the album include "Prime Evil," "Blackened Are the Priests," and "Parasite." The album is respected for its vigorous approach and as a rejuvenation of the band's earlier energies, partly because of Dolan's distinctive vocal style and bass playing.

The lineup change and the album itself are seen as a revitalization of the band at a time when metal was evolving with the rise of thrash and death metal influences. Despite these transitions, "Prime Evil" managed to retain a fanbase appreciative of Venom's legacy and their contributions to the heavy metal genre.

Venom continued to perform and release new material following "Prime Evil," although lineup changes would remain a recurring theme for the band in the years to come. This album is often remembered as a pivotal moment that kept the band's momentum going through the late 1980s into the 1990s.