VENOM's Founding Titans Unite for 'Welcome To Hell' 45th Anniversary Bash
In a move that sends shockwaves through the metal underground, Jeff "Mantas" Dunn and Anthony "Abaddon" Bray, the legendary co-founders of VENOM, have joined forces with a cadre of heavyweights including David Vincent (I AM MORBID, ex-MORBID ANGEL), Diva Satanica (BLOODHUNTER, ex-NERVOSA), and Blake "Bulldözer" Arendell (INTERCEPTOR) to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the iconic debut album, "Welcome To Hell." This monumental event is set to unfold at Pitfest in Emmen, Netherlands on June 5, 2026, and promises to serve as a thunderous tribute to the roots of black metal.
In a candid conversation with Canada's The Metal Voice last October, Mantas and Abaddon laid bare the convoluted state of the VENOM legacy, with three distinct entities claiming the name. The original duo’s resurgence highlights the convoluted history surrounding the band, which now includes Cronos’ iteration as the last standing relic of the classic era, and VENOM INC. fronted by Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan, a veteran of the band's later years. Mantas, firm in his stance, declared, "I wrote all the early material... there isn’t a VENOM out there. There are bands playing VENOM material." The truth is out, and it’s as raw as the riffs that birthed an entire genre.
With a burning desire to finally honor their own history, Mantas and Abaddon launched this venture to rectify the band's long-ignored anniversaries. Mantas recalled, "We’ve never celebrated an anniversary of this band. So I spoke to the guys at Keep It True... and he said, 'Great. Let’s do it.'" The duo’s mission is clear: to pay homage to the groundbreaking impact of "Welcome To Hell" and remind the world why VENOM's sound ignited a movement that continues to rage today.
As for the band name under which they’ll perform? Mantas was refreshingly blunt: “As far as I'm concerned, there's no fucking name to it.” With Abaddon’s VENOM logo leading the charge, they’re set to present themselves as the true architects of the music that shaped the metal landscape, with special guest appearances further amplifying the celebration.
Mantas underscored their significance in metal history, challenging the notion that this is merely a nostalgic cash grab. “Extreme metal is around, people say, because of us,” he asserted. The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, with the majority rallying behind the reunion, while a vocal minority whines about Cronos’ absence. Mantas dismissed such criticisms with a sharp tongue, equating them to the uninformed rants of basement dwellers who fail to grasp the intricacies of band dynamics.
In a world filled with corporate reunions and manufactured nostalgia, Mantas and Abaddon are forging their own path, committed to celebrating the undying legacy of VENOM. It’s a reminder that, while the years may pass, the spirit of heavy metal burns eternal.