Possessed

Venom's song 'Possessed' delves deep into themes of darkness, rebellion, and the embrace of evil. The lyrics are a vivid portrayal of a character who is consumed by malevolent forces, specifically aligning with Satanic imagery and anti-religious sentiments. The opening lines, 'Look at my eyes and you will see / Fire is burning inside of me,' set the tone for the entire song, suggesting an inner turmoil and a powerful, destructive force within the narrator.

The song continues to paint a picture of a being born from evil, 'Born of evil thus defiled / Brought to life through Satanic birth / Raised in Hell to live on Earth.' This character is not just influenced by dark forces but is a product of them, living among mortals with a mission to spread chaos and destruction. The lyrics 'We drink the vomit of the priests / Make love with the dying whore' are particularly graphic, emphasizing a complete rejection of religious and moral norms, reveling in blasphemy and sacrilege.

Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of defiance against religious symbols and figures, 'Though crucifix doth burn my flesh / I shall not yield to you unless I die!' This defiance is not just passive but active, with the narrator demanding 'the death of your God' and expressing loyalty to Satan. The song's imagery and language are designed to shock and provoke, reflecting the band's style and the broader cultural context of the early 1980s heavy metal scene, which often explored themes of rebellion and anti-establishment sentiments.

'Possessed' is a powerful example of Venom's influence on the development of extreme metal genres, using provocative and controversial themes to challenge societal norms and express a raw, unfiltered form of artistic rebellion.