metallifeline V

Venom are an English extreme metal band, formed in late 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Considered a seminal influence for thrash and black metal and coming to prominence towards the end of the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal', Venom have found little mainstream success or critical acclaim, but are widely regarded as highly influential, particularly for their first two albums, Welcome to Hell (1981) and Black Metal (1982). The title of Venom's second album would become influential and definitive enough to describe an entire subgenre called black metal, a category under which the band is most commonly referred. The nature of Venom's high-pitch guitars, harsh vocals, use of pseudonyms, and unrelenting emphasis on Satanic lyrics and imagery is considered the template for the subgenre's later successes, and arguably for the broader extreme metal movement in general.
Members: Conrad "Cronos" Lant - bass guitar and vocals (1979–1987, 1995–present) Rage - guitar (2007–present) Antony "Antton" Lant - drums (2000–present)
Former members
Guitar: Jeffrey "Mantas" Dunn - guitar (1979–1985, 1989–2002) Mike "Mykvs" Hickey - guitar (1987-1988, 2005–2007) James Clare - guitar (1987-1988) Alastair "Big Al" Barnes - guitar (1989–1991) Steve "War Maniac" White - guitar (1992)
Drums: Anthony "Abaddon" Bray - drums (1979–1999) (b. 17th September 1960 in Newcastle)
Vocals: Clive "Jesus Christ" Archer - vocals (1979-1980) Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan - vocals, bass guitar (1989–1992)