COVEN ”BLESSED IN BLACK”8L9 (1987)P

GENRE: Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal
COUNTRY: US
YEAR: 1986
STAND-OUT TRACK(S): 6669

Coven, a Heavy Metal/Thrash band from Seattle, US remain as one of the earlier and more notorious shock-comedy-Thrash bands. They formed in the mid 1980's just north of Seattle Washington. The classic lineup featured Dean Babbitt & Paul Hash on Guitars, Neal Babbitt on drums, Gary Peebles on bass and Jay Clark on vocals.

They recorded and produced their debut 'Blessed Is The Black’ (the one here down below) between June and October of 1986. The album was eventually released in 1988 on the Ever Rat label. Musically, the band offered straight ahead Thrash mixed with some of the the most vile and offensive lyrics imaginable. No target was spared the bands caustic brand of humour but a particular favorite seemed to be organized religion... and more specifically Christianity.

The debut album was marketed and distributed by Medusa and soon a second self-produced album, 1989's 'Death Walks Behind You', appeared as the band jumped directly to the Medusa label. The lyrics were toned down very slightly for this release and the band enjoyed small-scale touring in North America.

A long delay ensued and a third album, 'Boneless Christian', was released in 1993 on the Ever Rat label in conjunction with the Red Light group. At this point founding drummer Neal Babbitt had been replaced by Jason Moody. Bassist Gary Peebles also left as the band trimmed down to a four piece with Dean Babbit handling the bass on the album.

When they later reunited in 1999, they changed their name to COVEN 6669.