Venom stands as an undisputed pioneer of extreme music and a cornerstone of the underground metal movement. Formed in 1979 in Newcastle, the trio — Cronos (bass/vocals), Mantas (guitar) and Abaddon (drums) — shook the foundations of traditional heavy metal with a harsher sound, satanic imagery and a rebellious attitude that inspired generations to come.

Their 1982 album Black Metal did more than define a sound — it gave an entire subgenre its name. Though musically closer to thrash and speed metal, Venom’s dark aesthetic and provocative themes laid the groundwork for the Scandinavian black metal scene that would follow, influencing iconic bands such as Bathory, Mayhem and Darkthrone.

On MusikMachine, old-school metal fans can find an official embroidered patch featuring the legendary Black Metal artwork — a true emblem of rebellion and innovation within the metal universe, resonating with the dark power of bands like Cradle of Filth and Immortal.