Hails headbangers and brew lovers! The Meista here tonight with another dark pairing for ya... how's 'bout some "Black Metal" from Venom and a Squatters Black Forest Schwarzbier from the Utah Brewers Cooperative?! I say, "hells yeah!!" This pairing goes out to my metal brother in arms, Jerm... cheers buddy!!
Recorded at Impulse Studios in Newcastle, England and released on November 1st, 1982, "Black Metal" is the 2nd studio album by the proto-thrash metal monster trio known as Venom. The classic lineup that recorded "Black Metal" was of course made up of Conrad Lant (aka Cronos) on bass guitar and lead vocals (artwork on the original album cover), Jeffery Dunn (aka Mantas) on guitars, and Anthony Bray (aka Abaddon) on drums. The influence from "Black Metal" is insanely widespread; multiple thrash metal, death metal, and black metal bands have sited this album as having inspired their work... a plethora of mayhem! Although musically more in the vein of thrash (maybe the first), lyrically speaking, "Black Metal" profoundly influenced the entirety of the Norwegian black metal scene in the early 1990s. Marked by raw, powerful, and unadulated aggressiveness, "Black Metal" is a wonderful punch in the eardrums! Songs like title track "Black Metal", "To Hell And Back", "Buried Alive", the strangely bluesy "Teacher's Pet", "Heaven's On Fire", and "Countess Bathory" (maybe my favorite on the album) demand every ounce of your attention and seem to torment your very soul!
The Squatters Black Forest Schwarzbier is a lovely, 6% ABV dark and punchy beer brewed in the traditional Schwarzbier style. Made with Pilsner, Munich, Special B, and black malts, and 100% German Noble hops, the Squatters Black Forest Schwarzbier is a very drinkable, yet in-your-face dark lager. It pours a very, very burnt umber (almost ink black) with a frothy, cream-colored head that leaves intricate spider web lacing. The nose is marked by rich and malty aromas. There are notes of hearty, dark bread, burnt toffee, and sweet Greek coffee. The mouthfeel is crisp and refreshing, yet also creamy, sticky, and smooth. The taste is a richly textured blend of solid and aggressive roasty and toasty malts, dark chocolate, black coffee, rich soil, light hops, and a splash of vanilla and a hint of smokiness. The finish is characterized by roasted malts and a subtle bitterness. It goes down easy and is a great companion of the metal insanity that is "Black Metal"!!
PROST!!
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