Dumb, But Entertaining
Cave Eyes | 02/23/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I was never into Venom, but this album really caught my attention after hearing "Beauty and the Beast" on the radio. And even though it's incredibly stupid overall (check out "Muscle"), I found myself almost loving it. Plus, I think the band was in on the joke, which makes it even better. It's not a Must-Own by any means, but if you happen to find it for cheap, it's good for a few laughs."
Buy their early work instead!
Jackson | 01/11/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is just not worth it. Plain, cliche songs that completely lack the unique and grinding Venom-sound of their older work.My advice is to check out their first two albums, and make sure you also listen to the fantastic, grossly underestimated "At War with Satan" and the even better "Possessed" (a genuine masterpiece), but don't get caught buying their later work or the numerous collections..."
Venom Progresses...
Lumazu | California | 02/26/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"What we have here is an album that progressed one step forward and two steps back. While the price of experimentation can often be the loss of your fan base, usually you find a new fan base...the problem with Calm Before The Storm is that the only people who could find this album bearable or, as I do, enjoyable, are part of the old fan base.
There are a few very good songs on this album (Black Xmas, the title track, Under a Spell, Beauty and the Beast) that do hold up to their previous albums. Something is lacking without Mantas, however.
But listen to this album and compare it to Resurrection. This album sounds like what Resurrection would have sounded like without Mantas. Which is why it is a step forward. Venom did what they came to do on the first four albums and killed it, so it was about time they did something different. I just wish it was slightly better than this, but it is not a bad effort."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1