British black metal pioneers Venom have set "Hell" as the title of heir new album, due in May via Universal. According to a posting on the band's web site, the CD is "packed with 13 brand new malevolent tracks from the masters of black metal," including "Armageddon", "Straight To Hell", "Hand Of God", "USA For Satan", "The Power & The Glory", "Evil Perfection", "Kill The Music", and the title track, "Hell".

Venom last year parted ways with guitarist Mykvs (a.k.a. Mike Hickey; ex-Carcass, Cathedral). "Personal unavoidable commitments in the U.S. have forced Mykvs to announce that he cannot commit 100% to Venom's schedule," the band previously wrote in a statement. A new guitarist by the name of Rage has been drafted in to replace Mykvs.

With regards to the direction of the band's next album, Venom frontman Cronos previously said, "Venom will be even darker and heavier for the next release. The new song ideas that Antton and I have been composing over the last year will be exactly what the 'legions' expect from us, and will really test the abilities of the band members. There's going to be a lot of blood spilled making the next album. This band belongs to the fans and I'm going to stay true to the spirit of Venom no matter what sacrifices have to be made."