Venom › Similar Artists

Sodom - 100% match to Venom

This German black metal/thrash trio was formed in 1983 by Tom Angelripper (bass, vocals), Aggressor (vocals, guitar) and Chris Witchhunter (drums), drawing inspiration from bands such as Motörhead, Anvil and Venom. Aggressor was replaced by the similarly pseudonymous Grave Violator on the agenda-setting debut EP, In The Sign Of Evil. By the time Obsessed By Cruelty emerged Read more

Hellhammer - 98% match to Venom

Formed in 1982, seminal Swiss extreme heavy metal band Hellhammer toyed with Satanic imagery, but were chiefly concerned with generating morbid intensity. Generally considered to be formless noise at the time, Hellhammer attracted a cult following nonetheless. They appealed to the youthful grass-roots of the heavy metal scene, who coveted the most bombastically abrasive sounds Read more

Possessed - 90% match to Venom

Formed in San Francisco, California, USA, in 1983, this heavy metal band comprised Jeff Becerra (bass/vocals), Mike Torrao (guitar), Larry Lalonde (Lawrence Lalonde, 12 September 1968, Richmond, California, USA; guitar) and Mike Sus (drums). Through early demos and their inclusion on the Metal Massacre VI compilation album, released on Metal Blade Records in 1984, the band a Read more

Bathory - 87% match to Venom

This Swedish death/black-metal project was masterminded by the enigmatic multi-instrumentalist Quothorn (Thomas Forsberg, 1966, d. 7 June 2004, Stockholm, Sweden; vocals/guitar). Formed in 1983, the band originally comprised Black Spade aka Quothorn, Kothaar (bass) and Vvornth (drums), but the latter two left after recording just a single track for a heavy metal compilation Read more

Celtic Frost - 82% match to Venom

Formed in Switzerland in 1984 from the ashes of the thrash metal-inspired Hellhammer, Celtic Frost’s focal point was Thomas Gabriel Warrior (Thomas Gabriel Fischer, 19 July 1966, Zurich, Switzerland; guitar, vocals). Together with Martin Eric Ain (bass) and Stephen Priestly (drums), the group’s 1984 debut was a thrash metal landmark, with guttural vocals splinterin Read more

Mercyful Fate - 81% match to Venom

This seminal black metal act was formed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1980 by vocalist King Diamond (Kim Bendix Petersen, 14 June 1956, Copenhagen, Denmark) and guitarist Hank Shermann (b. Rene Krolmark, Denmark; ex-Brats). Benny Petersen (guitar), Old Nick (drums), and C. Volsing (guitar) appeared on early demos, but the original line-up coalesced around Diamond, Shermann, Mic Read more

Destruction - 80% match to Venom

Along with Kreator, this speed metal band was at the forefront of the 80s German thrash scene, although Destruction never quite achieved the former’s level of success. Destruction was formed in 1983 in Weil am Rhein, Germany by Schmier (Marcel Schmier Schirmer; bass, vocals), Mike Sifringer (guitar) and Tommy Sandmann (drums) made a rather raw debut with 1984’s min Read more

Nuclear Assault - 74% match to Venom

Formed in New York, USA, in 1985, this extreme and influential outfit initially comprised John Connelly (guitar/vocals), Dan Lilker (18 October 1964, USA; bass), Mike Bogush (guitar) and Scott Duboys (drums), although Anthony Bramante and Glenn Evans quickly replaced the latter pair. Lilker formed Nuclear Assault while still a member of Anthrax, making them one of the earlie Read more

Darkthrone - 68% match to Venom

Along with Mayhem, Burzum, Immortal and Emperor, Darkthrone played a major role in the rise of Norwegian black metal in the 90s. The band was originally formed in 1986 as a death metal outfit by Ivar Enger (guitar), Dag Nilsen (bass) and Gylve Nagell (drums), under the name Black Death. The trio changed their name to Darkthrone in 1988 and, following the release of the demo Lan Read more

Overkill - 68% match to Venom

This thrash metal quartet was formed in New York, USA, in 1984 by vocalist Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth, guitarist Bobby Gustafson, bass player D.D. Verni and drummer Rat Skates. Together they self-financed the recording of a mini-album. Desperately short of cash and exposure, they sold the rights to the small Azra label and made a net loss. They were soon picked up by Meg Read more

Exciter - 66% match to Venom

Dark Angel - 62% match to Venom

Formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1981, Dark Angel specialize in ‘ultra-heavy thrash metal’. The original line-up comprised Don Doty (vocals), Jim Durkin (guitar), Eric Meyer (guitar), Rob Yahn (bass) and Mike Andrade (drums), although the latter was quickly replaced by Jack Schwartz. Early demos saw the band sign to Azra Records, resulting in the release of Read more

Kreator - 59% match to Venom

Formed in Essen, Germany, in 1984, under the name Tormentor, this heavy metal band originally comprised Milan ‘Mille’ Petrozza (guitar/vocals), Rob Fioretti (bass) and Jürgen ‘Ventor’ Reil (drums). Their vicious thrash style was inspired by the filth and industrial pollution problem that Essen, on the River Ruhr, was experiencing. After changing their n Read more

Exodus - 56% match to Venom

Slayer - 49% match to Venom

This intense death/thrash metal quartet was formed in Huntington Beach, Los Angeles, USA, during 1982. Comprising Tom Araya (Thomas Araya, 6 June 1961, Valparaiso, Chile; bass/vocals), Kerry King (b. 3 June 1964, Los Angeles, California, USA; guitar), Jeff Hanneman (b. 31 January 1964, Oakland, California, USA; guitar) and Dave Lombardo (b. 16 February 1965, Havana, Cuba; dr Read more