Venom was formed in 1979 in Newcastle, England, with the original lineup consisting of Conrad “Cronos” Lant (bass/vocals), Jeffrey “Mantas” Dunn (guitar), and Tony “Abaddon” Bray (drums). This pioneering trio created a raw, aggressive sound that would go on to influence countless metal bands and essentially birth the black metal genre. Their unholy trinity combined elements of punk, heavy metal, and theatrical Satanic imagery to create something truly groundbreaking in the metal world.
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The formation of Venom: A turning point in metal history
When Venom emerged from the gritty industrial landscape of Newcastle in 1979, few could have predicted the seismic impact they would have on heavy music. The band formed during a pivotal moment when the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was gaining momentum, yet Venom’s approach was decidedly more extreme and unpolished than their contemporaries.
Originally, the band began life under the name “Dwarfstar” before briefly adopting “Venom” and then “Militia” before finally settling permanently on Venom. Their early rehearsals took place in a small, dingy room at Church House in Wallsend. These humble beginnings belied the influential force they would become.
What set Venom apart was their deliberate rejection of technical proficiency in favour of atmosphere, aggression and sheer volume. While other bands were focusing on musical virtuosity, Venom was crafting a nightmarish sonic assault that prioritised mood and menace over musicianship—a philosophy that would later become fundamental to black metal aesthetics.
Who were the original members of Venom?
The unholy trinity that formed the original Venom lineup brought together three distinctly different personalities united by their desire to push metal to its most extreme limits.
Conrad “Cronos” Lant joined as the bassist and eventually took over vocal duties, bringing his distinctive growling style that would influence generations of extreme metal vocalists. Before Venom, Cronos worked as a studio engineer at Impulse Studios, which gave the band valuable recording knowledge and access.
Jeffrey “Mantas” Dunn provided the razor-sharp guitar work that defined Venom’s early sound. His chaotic, buzzsaw approach to riffing rejected the technical soloing popular at the time in favour of atmosphere and aggression. Mantas crafted riffs that emphasised speed and darkness rather than traditional heavy metal structures.
Tony “Abaddon” Bray completed the lineup on drums, bringing a primal, almost tribal approach to percussion that prioritised power over precision. His thunderous drumming style became a blueprint for extreme metal drummers who followed.
Together, they created a chemistry that was less about musical virtuosity and more about creating a theatrical, menacing atmosphere that would become the template for black metal.
How did Venom influence modern metal music?
Venom’s influence on modern metal cannot be overstated. Their 1981 debut album “Welcome to Hell” and 1982 follow-up “Black Metal” (which literally named the genre) established the template for extreme metal that countless bands would follow.
Their unholy mix of Satanic imagery, lightning-fast tempos, and deliberately lo-fi production created a blueprint that directly inspired the Norwegian black metal scene of the early 1990s. Bands like Mayhem, Darkthrone, and Emperor have all cited Venom as a primary influence.
Beyond black metal, Venom’s speed and aggression heavily influenced the emerging thrash metal scene. The “Big Four” of thrash—Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax—all acknowledge Venom’s impact on their sound. Metallica even covered Venom’s “Bloodlust” in their early days.
What’s particularly remarkable about Venom’s influence is how a band with relatively modest technical skills managed to change metal forever through sheer attitude, atmosphere and boundary-pushing extremity. Their willingness to sacrifice polish for power created a new paradigm in heavy music that continues to resonate today.
