Venom Members, Gear & Sound
British metal band
Members
Select a Venom band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.
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About
Venom is a pioneering English heavy metal band formed in 1978 in Newcastle, England. They are renowned for their raw and aggressive sound that laid the groundwork for several subgenres of metal, including thrash, death, and black metal. The core lineup that defined their influential early years includes Conrad "Cronos" Lant (vocals, bass), Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (guitar), and Tony "Abaddon" Bray (drums). Venom's early works, such as their debut album Welcome to Hell and follow-up Black Metal, are considered seminal albums that inspired a wave of extreme metal bands with their blend of speed, aggression, and dark themes.
How to Sound Like Venom
Venom's sound is a relentless assault characterized by savage, high-gain guitar riffs and thunderous bass lines, delivering an aggressive and unpolished vibe. The use of gear like the Marshall JCM800 2203 by Mantas is crucial in achieving their piercing, distorted guitar tone that slices through the mix with ferocity. Cronos’s bass work often employs the Aria Pro II SB-1000, paired with the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver Direct Input, to create a growling low-end presence that complements the chaotic drumming. The overall sonic landscape of Venom is both aggressive and raw, with a tendency to push the boundaries of speed and intensity, embodying the primal energy of early metal and punk influences.
Discography
In League With Satan
1981
Welcome to Hell
1981
Black Metal
1982
At War with Satan (Bonus Track Edition)
1984
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
1986
Prime Evil
1989
Temples of Ice
1991
The Waste Lands
1992
Skeletons In the Closet
1993
Possessed (Bonus Track Edition)
2002
Kissing the Beast
2002
Under A Spell
2003
MMV
2005
Witching Hour (Live)
2009
Fallen Angels (Special Edition)
2011
From The Very Depths
2015
Live From The Hammersmith Odeon Theatre
2017
Storm The Gates
2018
Bitten (Live)
2022
Lay Down Your Soul (Remastered Studio Rehearsal)
2022
US Possession Tour 86
2024
Dying Hard In London: London, June 1st, 1984
2024
Get the Venom Sound
Want to sound like Venom? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.
