Venom

Venom is a British heavy metal band from Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Formed in 1979, Venom is regarded as the forerunner of so-called "extreme" heavy metal and, as such, is considered the most important of the groups that pioneered black metal, with its eponymous album. The band was disbanded in 2026, shortly after the death of Conrad "Cronos" Lant, its last founding member.

Music historians, however, tend to file Venom under the NWOBHM movement (a scene that brings together bands such as Iron Maiden, Saxon, Def Leppard and Diamond Head), a movement Venom also claims to belong to. Alongside Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motörhead and Iron Maiden, Venom is also considered one of the most influential bands in the evolution and history of heavy metal.

Venom's discography is one of the most confusing in the history of heavy metal, and indeed of rock in general. The band often turned a blind eye to bootlegging and to compilations released without its authorisation, in order to maintain its image as a popular act. The studio albums are very clearly identified within this discography, but even these (notably the most famous ones, such as Welcome to Hell or Black Metal) exist in a great many pirate versions, issued by the numerous labels that acquired their reproduction and distribution rights. Some are more sought after by collectors than others. Add to this numerous 7-inch records, singles, more or less official live recordings, assorted compilations and bootlegs, some of which are more famous than certain official releases.