In a recent interview with Canada’s The Metal Voice, VENOM co-founders Jeff “Mantas” Dunn and Anthony “Abaddon” Bray opened up about the unique position they hold in the legacy of the legendary black metal band.
As the duo gears up to celebrate the 45th anniversary of VENOM’s groundbreaking debut, Welcome to Hell (1981), at festivals in 2026—including Germany’s Keep It True—they addressed a growing point of confusion for fans: the existence of three separate acts currently performing under variations of the VENOM name.
Alongside Mantas and Abaddon’s new project, there is the Cronos-led incarnation of VENOM, featuring sole original member Conrad “Cronos” Lant, as well as VENOM INC., fronted by former VENOM bassist and vocalist Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan, who contributed to the band’s late ’80s and early ’90s albums.
Mantas said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “I’m just gonna speak the truth, the absolute truth. I’m the founder member [of VENOM]. If there’s a co-founder, it’s Abaddon. Cronos was the last one to join. Everyone knows that. I wrote all the early material, blah, blah, blah. And at this very moment in time, the way I look at it is there isn’t a VENOM out there. There’s bands out there who are playing VENOM material. And that’s the honest way that I look at it.”
On why he and Abaddon decided to reunite for these shows at this moment, Mantas explained: “Myself and Abaddon, we said, ‘Look, why don’t we just do something to celebrate this f**king band?’ And that’s all we’re doing. It’s a celebration of ‘Welcome To Hell’, 45 years of that album. And this stupid f**king band has missed every major anniversary in its history. We’ve never celebrated an anniversary of this band. So I spoke to the guys at Keep It True, Oliver Weinsheimer in particular, the owner of the festival. And I said, ‘Right, here’s an idea. Why don’t we get some special guests, people who have been influenced by the band? All that kind of thing.’ And he said, ‘Great. Let’s do it.’ So that’s how it all came about. And now we’re getting offers from other places to do the same thing. So, yeah, if nobody else will do it, we’re gonna go out and celebrate this band.”
When asked which name he and Abaddon will use for their performances, Mantas replied: “As far as I’m concerned, there’s no f**king name to it. There’s Abaddon‘s VENOM logo, which is his. And underneath it, it says, ‘Mantas and Abaddon.’ And then special guests. And that’s what we’re doing.”
Expanding on why he and Abaddon decided to revisit VENOM’s music together, Mantas said: “I know it’s not gonna be the PANTERA thing, and I know it’s not a f**king KISS reunion or anything like that, but this band has had, for whatever reason, and it still amazes me to this day, but this band has had so much influence on the metal scene from day one, especially when that album [‘Welcome To Hell’] came out. And then [VENOM‘s second album] ‘Black Metal’ — black metal, as a genre, is still alive and kicking today. Extreme metal is around, people say, because of us.”
Abaddon also weighed in on the VENOM name controversy, stating: “My take on that is very straightforward. If you’ve got three bands using the word VENOM to sell the music… Originally, VENOM were a three-piece. Unless you’ve got two members of that three-piece, you can’t call it VENOM because it’s Cronos and some other blokes, or it’s Dolan and some other blokes. If you’ve got me and Jeff, you’ve got two-thirds of the original f**king band. That’s as straightforward as you can get.”
Mantas and Abaddon are also currently involved in a legal dispute with former bandmate Conrad “Cronos” Lant over rights connected to VENOM’s early catalog and imagery. The pair are seeking recognition for their contributions to the band’s classic releases, including Welcome To Hell, Black Metal, At War with Satan, and Possessed, as well as a fair share of merchandise profits.
In a statement, they said: “We’re simply asking for what is rightfully ours,” they said in a joint statement. “After decades of avoidable conflict, we want peace and closure.”
The legal battle intensified in June 2024, with Cronos suing Abaddon and Plastic Head Music Distribution Ltd, claiming ownership of VENOM’s iconic Satanic imagery.
In their public appeal, the musicians emphasized that their efforts are aimed at securing long-term recognition and support for their families, as well as closure after decades of disagreements within the VENOM camp. Both are now in their 60s, and Bray recently overcame a battle with cancer, after which he and Dunn pledged to donate any surplus funds raised during their campaign to the MacMillan Cancer Charity.
The pair have launched a crowdfunding initiative to support their legal fight, with proceeds intended to cover the substantial costs associated with the case. They also expressed appreciation to their fan base, often referred to as “the Legions,” and to Plastic Head for logistical support in facilitating the campaign.
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