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JEFF ‘MANTAS’ DUNN Doesn’t Rule Out New Music From His Band Featuring Fellow VENOM Co-Founder ANTONY ‘ABADDON’ BRAY
VENOM co-founder and guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn has said he would not rule out recording new music with fellow founding member Antony "Abaddon" Bray, having recently reunited on stage to mark the 45th anniversary of the band's 1981 debut album, "Welcome To Hell". Speaking on "The Tampa Morgue" podcast, Mantas said he was initially opposed to the idea of a new album but had been swayed by fans and collaborators pointing to his and Abaddon's role as the band's original songwriters, calling their reunion "overwhelming" and describing how a once-strained relationship had healed with time.
Mantas also addressed the wider confusion caused by three acts currently performing under variations of the VENOM name: his and Abaddon's collaboration (which also features bassist/vocalist Blake "Bulldözer" Arendell), the Conrad "Cronos" Lant-led lineup, and VENOM INC., fronted by former bassist Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan. He dismissed talk of a "VENOM situation", insisting there was no dispute beyond several bands performing the band's music, and said a reunion of all three classic-era members remained highly unlikely.
In short
- Mantas doesn't rule out new music with Abaddon and Blake Arendell.
- Pair reunited live for "Welcome To Hell" 45th anniversary shows.
- Mantas downplays rivalry between three bands using the VENOM name.
Explained simply
VENOM is a British heavy metal band formed in 1981, known for pioneering the thrash metal genre and influencing countless musicians over four decades. Their debut album "Welcome To Hell" became a landmark release that helped define the aggressive sound of extreme metal music.
The band no longer operates as a unified entity. Instead, three separate acts currently perform under variations of the VENOM name, each featuring different members from the band's history, which has caused confusion among fans about which lineup represents the "true" band or its original vision.
The three versions include a collaboration featuring founding guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn and co-founder Antony "Abaddon" Bray, the lineup led by Conrad "Cronos" Lant (the original vocalist), and VENOM INC., fronted by former bassist Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan. Each group maintains its own separate performances and recording projects.