List of Venom band members explained

Venom is an English heavy metal band from Newcastle upon Tyne. Formed in 1979, the group originally featured drummer Anthony Bray, rhythm guitarist Conrad Lant, lead guitarist Jeffrey Dunn, vocalist Clive Archer and bassist Alan Winston. The band currently consists of Lant (on lead vocals and bass since 1980, who was absent between 1988 and 1995), guitarist Stuart "Rage" Dixon (since 2007) and drummer Danny "Dante" Needham (since 2009).

History

Early on, bassist Winston left and Lant switched to bass.[1] Each band member soon adopted a stage name for use in Venom – Bray as "Abaddon", Lant as "Cronos", Dunn as "Mantas" and Archer as "Christus".[2] Archer was credited as "Jesus Christ" on the band's first demo tape Demon, released in 1980.[3] Shortly after the demo's release, the decision was made to dismiss the vocalist and continue Venom as a three-piece, as Cronos had begun taking over the role. The band's lineup remained stable for the release of four studio albums between 1981 and 1985, before Mantas left in 1986.[4]

For 1987's Calm Before the Storm, Abaddon and Cronos brought in guitarists Mike Hickey and Jim Clare.[2] The following year, however, the frontman decided to leave Venom and form his own eponymous band, with both new members joining him in the group's initial lineup.[5] Cronos was replaced by former Atomkraft frontman Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan early the following year, as Mantas returned and Al Barnes was added on rhythm guitar and bass.[2] After the release of Prime Evil, Tear Your Soul Apart and Temples of Ice, Barnes left Venom; he was replaced by Steve "War Maniac" White, who joined alongside keyboardist Dave "VXS" Young for 1992's The Waste Lands. Dolan, Mantas and Abaddon continued performing as a trio,[6] before Cronos returned in time for a headlining show at Holland's Waldrock Festival on 24 June 1995.[7]

Abaddon, the only remaining constant member of Venom, left the group in 1999 and was replaced by Cronos' brother Anthony "Antton" Lant.[4] In February 2002, Venom was put on hiatus after Cronos was injured in a climbing accident.[8] The group returned in 2004, with Hickey (now under the name "Mykvs") returning to replace the departed Mantas.[9] Mykvs was later replaced by Stuart "La Rage" Dixon in early 2007.[10] Antton then left to focus on his other band Def-Con-One in 2009,[11] with Danny "Dante" Needham taking his place a month later.[12]

Members

Current

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Conrad "Cronos" Lantall Venom releases from Demon demo (1980) to Calm Before the Storm (1987), and from Venom '96 (1996) onwards
Stuart "Rage" Dixon2007–present
Danny "Dante" Needham2009–present

Former

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Anthony "Abaddon" Bray1979–1999all Venom releases from Demon demo (1980) to Cast in Stone (1997)
Jeffrey "Mantas" Dunnall Venom releases from Demon demo (1980) to Resurrection (2000), except Calm Before the Storm (1987)
Clive "Jesus Christ" Archer1979–1980lead vocalsDemon demo (1980)
Alan Winston1979bassnone
Mike "Mykvs" Hickey
Jim Clare1986–1988Calm Before the Storm (1987)
Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan1989–1995
Al Barnes1989–1991
Steve "War Maniac" White1991–1992rhythm guitarThe Waste Lands (1992)
Trevor "VSX" Sewellkeyboards
Anthony "Antton" Lant1999–2009

Lineups

PeriodMembersReleases
1979
  • Anthony Bray – drums, backing vocals
  • Conrad Lant – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeffrey Dunn – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Clive Archer – lead vocals
  • Alan Winston – bass
none
1979–1980
  • Anthony "Abaddon" Bray – drums, backing vocals
  • Conrad "Cronos" Lant – bass, backing vocals
  • Jeffrey "Mantas" Dunn – guitars, backing vocals
  • Clive "Jesus Christ" Archer – lead vocals
  • Demon demo (1980)
1980–1986
  • Abaddon – drums, backing vocals
  • Cronos – bass, lead vocals
  • Mantas – guitars, backing vocals
1986–1988
  • Abaddon – drums, backing vocals
  • Cronos – bass, lead vocals
  • Mike "Mykvs" Hickey – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jim Clare – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
1988–1991
  • Abaddon – drums, backing vocals
  • Mantas – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan – bass, lead vocals
  • Al Barnes – rhythm guitar, bass
1991–1992
  • Abaddon – drums, backing vocals
  • Mantas – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Demolition Man – bass, lead vocals
  • Steve White – rhythm guitar
  • Trevor "VSX" Sewell – keyboards
1992–1995
  • Abaddon – drums, backing vocals
  • Mantas – guitars, backing vocals
  • Demolition Man – bass, lead vocals
none
1995–1999
  • Abaddon – drums, backing vocals
  • Mantas – guitars, backing vocals
  • Cronos – bass, lead vocals
1999–2002
  • Mantas – guitars, backing vocals
  • Cronos – bass, lead vocals
  • Anthony "Antton" Lant – drums, backing vocals
Band on hiatus 2002–2004
March 2004 – January 2007
  • Cronos – bass, lead vocals
  • Antton – drums, backing vocals
  • Mike "Mykvs" Hickey – guitars, backing vocals
January 2007 – April 2009
  • Cronos – bass, lead vocals
  • Antton – drums, backing vocals
  • Stuart "La Rage" Dixon – guitars, backing vocals
May 2009 – present
  • Cronos – bass, lead vocals
  • La Rage – guitars, backing vocals
  • Danny "Dante" Needham – drums, backing vocals

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wiederhorn . Jon . 16 June 2015 . Venom's Cronos Reflects on the Band's Career and New Album, 'From the Very Depths' . 14 October 2017 . . NewBay Media.
  2. Web site: Venom: Centuries Of Sin . Barton . Geoff . TeamRock . 5 January 2005 . 14 October 2017 .
  3. Demon . . 1980 . Venom . 14 October 2017 .
  4. Web site: Venom Albums Ranked . Rivadavia . Eduardo . . 10 January 2017 . 14 October 2017 .
  5. Web site: Cronos: Biography & History . Rivadavia . Eduardo . . 14 October 2017 .
  6. Web site: Venom: Biography & History . Ankeny . Jason . . 14 October 2017 .
  7. Book: McIver, Joel . Joel McIver . Extreme Metal II . 4 March 2010 . London, England . . 978-0857122247 . 332 . 14 October 2017 .
  8. News: Venom Frontman Out Of Commission After Climbing Accident . . 25 February 2002 . 14 October 2017 .
  9. News: Venom Announce New Lineup . . 21 March 2004 . 14 October 2017 .
  10. News: Venom Parts Ways With Guitarist, Announces Replacement . . 29 January 2007 . 14 October 2017 .
  11. News: Venom Drummer Quits . . 15 April 2009 . 14 October 2017 .
  12. News: Venom Announces New Drummer . . 23 May 2009 . 14 October 2017 .