Venom's original personnel came from three different bands: Guillotine, Oberon and Dwarfstar. The original Guillotine featured Jeffrey Dunn and Dave Rutherford on guitars, Dean Hewitt on bass guitar, Dave Blackman on vocals, and Chris Mercater on drums who replaced Paul Burke, the original drummer when the band was founded. Blackman and Mercater were later also replaced by drummer Anthony Bray and vocalist Clive Archer. Later, Dean Hewitt was replaced by Alan Winston on bass. Around that time a number of personnel changes occurred. Clive Archer, Eric Cook, Tony Bray and Ian Kell formed a band while working at Reyrolles. Ian Kell was replaced in mid-1978. In late 1979, Conrad Lant replaced Dave Rutherford. Lant later switched to bass after the departure of Winston. The band members took on new stage names. Archer became "Jesus Christ", Lant "Cronos", Tony Bray "Abbadon", and Jeff Dunn "Mantas".
Prime influences of the formative band were Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Kiss. Other musicians that have influenced Venom are Deep Purple, Sex Pistols, the Who, the Tubes, Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley.
'Welcome to Hell' influenced several later bands. Venom's music helped shape the development of many thrash metal bands, specifically the "Big Four of Thrash" (who in turn were highly influential): Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth (Metallica opened for Venom on an early 1980s tour, and Venom opened for Metallica and Slayer on the Ride the Lightning tour, and Slayer played with them and Exodus on the Combat Tour in 1985). Venom would also be of extreme importance to the black metal scene and even the early death metal scene, with numerous bands copying styles, themes, and imagery from the band, such as the Swiss band Hellhammer (later to become Celtic Frost), whom also helped pioneer the genres. Music critic Bradley Torreano wrote that Venom "caught the attention of both metalheads and punks, the band was emulated by the former and turned into camp icons by the latter." Henry Rollins once compared the band to Spinal Tap.
Nemesis
Venom Lyrics
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Nemesis leaves you lying there
Nemesis takes you to your limit
Nemesis eats at your despair
Left dying, screaming and crying
Unsympathizing, nemesis
Nemesis marriage made in hell
Nemesis spending all your money
Nemesis steals what's yours to sell
Nemesis motherfucking bitch
C'mon, you motherfuckers
Nemesis never gives you an inch
Nemesis pulls your fucking hair
Nemesis stabs you in the bollocks
Nemesis leaves you standing bare
The lyrics of Venom's song "Nemesis" describe a force or person who guides the listener into darkness and despair. This Nemesis takes pleasure in causing pain and suffering to their victim, leaving them lying there and screaming in agony. The lyrics paint a picture of a true villain, one who not only delights in causing chaos but also steals from their victim, spending all their money and leaving them with nothing.
The words of the song suggest that Nemesis is not only ruthless but also sadistic, enjoying playing with madness and stabbing their victim in the bollocks. The use of the word "motherfucking bitch" conveys the anger and frustration of the victim towards this relentless tormentor. It's clear that the subject of the song is trapped in a never-ending cycle of abuse and despair at the hands of Nemesis.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nemesis" are raw and visceral, painting a picture of a powerful and all-consuming force. Whether interpreted as a metaphor for addiction or an abusive relationship, this song speaks to the human experience of being trapped in a cycle of pain and suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
Nemesis guides you into darkness
Nemesis leads you towards a state of obscurity and confusion
Nemesis leaves you lying there
Nemesis abandons you in a helpless position
Nemesis takes you to your limit
Nemesis pushes you to the extent of your capability
Nemesis eats at your despair
Nemesis consumes and feeds on your hopelessness
Left dying, screaming and crying
Abandoned and neglected, one is left in agony and distress
Unsympathizing, nemesis
Nemesis does not show any compassion or concern
Nemesis loves to play with madness
Nemesis enjoys manipulating and playing with one's craziness
Nemesis marriage made in hell
The relationship with nemesis is doomed and cursed
Nemesis spending all your money
Nemesis wastes away and exhausts all of your resources
Nemesis steals what's yours to sell
Nemesis illegally takes your possessions to profit from them
Nemesis motherfucking bitch
Nemesis is an extremely vile and contemptible creature
C'mon, you motherfuckers
Addressing the audience to engage in the song
Nemesis never gives you an inch
Nemesis does not make any allowance or compromise
Nemesis pulls your fucking hair
Nemesis yanks on your hair in a painful way
Nemesis stabs you in the bollocks
Nemesis inflicts severe agony by attacking one's genitalia
Nemesis leaves you standing bare
Nemesis abandons one, leaving them exposed and vulnerable
Writer(s): Conrad Lant, Conrad T. Lant Copyright: Notting Hill Music (Uk) Ltd.
Contributed by Hannah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.