Venom

Formation

Venom, a British heavy metal band, was formed in 1978 in Newcastle upon Tyne, emerging from the remnants of three local bands: Guillotine, Oberon, and Dwarfstar. The original lineup included Jeff "Mantas" Dunn and Dave Rutherford on guitars, Dean Hewitt on bass, Dave Blackman on vocals, and Chris Mercater on drums. Over time, the band underwent several lineup changes, with Conrad Lant, who later adopted the stage name "Cronos," joining and eventually taking over bass duties. The band adopted the name Venom in 1979, inspired by a suggestion from a roadie, and began to incorporate dark themes and imagery into their music, often for shock value.

Breakthrough

Venom gained prominence during the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) with their first two albums, "Welcome to Hell" (1981) and "Black Metal" (1982). The latter album was particularly influential, giving its name to the black metal genre and solidifying Venom's place in the history of extreme metal. Their music, characterized by a blend of speed, thrash, and black metal, laid the groundwork for many future bands in these genres, including the legendary "Big Four" of thrash metal: Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth.

Legacy

Throughout their career, Venom has been recognized as a pioneering force in heavy metal, influencing countless artists and bands. Their raw sound and provocative lyrics helped shape the development of extreme metal, and they have been credited with helping to invent both thrash and black metal. Venom's legacy continues to resonate, with their music being celebrated by fans and musicians alike, including notable mentions from bands like the Beastie Boys and Metallica, who have cited Venom as a significant influence on their own work.