Guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn and drummer Anthony "Abaddon" Bray, two of the three co-founders of the pioneering black metal band, have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help fund their ongoing legal battle with former bandmate Conrad "Cronos" Lant. The dispute centers on authorship of Venom's iconic artwork and fair compensation from decades of merchandise sales tied to the albums they co-wrote and performed, including Welcome To Hell, Black Metal, At War With Satan, and Possessed.
In a joint statement, Mantas and Abaddon said: "We're simply asking for what is rightfully ours. After decades of avoidable conflict, we want peace and closure. It was the honor of a lifetime to create music that inspired a genre. Your support has carried us through the best and hardest times."
They stressed that any surplus funds will be donated to the MacMillan Cancer Charity, following Abaddon's recent recovery from cancer. "If every fan bought us a pint, we could see this through," they added. Donate to the cause here.
The legal conflict escalated in June 2024, when Cronos sued Abaddon and distributor Plastic Head Music Distribution Ltd., claiming infringement of his Venom designs. Bray filed a counterclaim, asserting he was the true author of the early band logo.
On July 31, 2025, High Court Recorder Amanda Michaels issued a key judgment that partially sided with both camps. According to court documents:
- Bray was recognized as the author of the first Venom logo (used on the Welcome To Hell drum riser in early 1980), based on corroborating testimony from Mantas and early associate Stephen Ash.
- Lant was deemed the creator and copyright owner of all other disputed designs, including the satanic imagery of goat heads, pentagrams, and inverted crosses that became synonymous with Venom.
The ruling acknowledged the murkiness of the band's early years. While Cronos produced sketches supporting his claims, questions over authorship of the first logo lingered, with the judge ultimately siding with Bray's evidence.
Mantas testified that he once believed all members shared equal rights to Venom's visual identity, pointing to old releases that carried the notice "© Venom". But without formal agreements in place, the courts have instead drawn a strict line around individual authorship.
For Mantas and Abaddon, both now in their 60s, the fight is not only about legacy but about ensuring their families can benefit from the enduring influence of Venom — a band whose early records effectively laid the foundation for black metal.
The legal proceedings are ongoing, with significant financial costs still mounting. Mantas and Abaddon are asking the global Venom "Legions" to contribute to their campaign, hosted with the support of Plastic Head.
Despite the bitter dispute, the two expressed gratitude to fans for standing by them: "Your support makes music happen, because you inspire souls. After all these years, we're still here because of you."
