Legendary Guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn Parts Ways With Venom Inc.
Health and Personal Reasons cited in His Emotional Farewell
[City, State] – The world of heavy metal was shaken this past Sunday (December 1), when legendary guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn announced his departure from Venom Inc. Despite the unfortunate news, Dunn assures fans that this is not the end of his musical journey.
Taking to his social media platforms, Destroyer
Dunn penned a heartfelt message detailing his reasons for stepping away. It ran as follows:
"Greetings my friends, The last few months have been incredibly difficult on every level, and to cap it all, only a few days ago one of my most beloved cats, Spooky, passed away in front of me after a short but very aggressive illness. I was with him every step of the way.
"After I suffered the second heart attack, the outpouring of love and concern from you guys via a multitude of messages and calls has been overwhelming, and a simple thank you seems so insignificant.
"So my friends, it is now time to address the situation. I wish to inform you all that I will not be returning to Venom Inc. Obviously my health and wellbeing are of paramount importance to myself and my family, however, there are also more personal issues that have influenced my decision. To be absolutely clear, I will not be appearing at any advertised shows.
"On a far more positive note, there is new music and a return to social activity on the way. As I have said so many times, music is my therapy, my release, and my connection with all you who have supported me over the years, and for that, I am eternally grateful. So here’s to Cats and Heavy Metal!
"I will see you all soon, my friends. Much love and respect, Jeff."
As Dunn alludes, he has battled health concerns before, recently revealing his second heart attack earlier this year, adding to the reports of his first heart attack in direction.
The iconic guitarist’s departure comes after a challenging period during which he missed Venom Inc.’s fall 2023 US tour, focusing on his wife’s cancer diagnosis. He was replaced by Mike Hickey, known for his work with Venom, Carcass, Cathedral and Cronos, who stepped in seamlessly during the challenging time.
The remainder of Venom Inc. is moving forward, bolstering their lineup with drummer Marc "JXN" Jackson, formerly of Dunn and Tony “Demolition Man" Dolan’s M:PIRE OF EVIL.
While one chapter closes for Jeff “Mantas” Dunn, another begins, filled with new music and a re-awakening of his creative spirit. Fans, stay tuned.
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Venom Inc.** should not be mistaken for the Conrad "Cronos" Lant led iteration of Venom, which continues to tour and release new music. Joining Lant is Rage (a.k.a. Stuart Dixon) on guitar and Danté (a.k.a. Danny Needham) on drums.
Venom’s classic lineup of Dunn, Lant, and Anthony Sakutel "Abaddon" Bray recorded four studio albums: “Welcome To Hell” (1981), "Black Metal” (1982), “At War With Satan" (1984) and “Possessed" (1985). This band, often recognized by bands like Metallica, Behemoth,
Besides personal reasons, has Jeff “Mantas” Dunn given any other explanations for leaving Venom Inc.?
## Interview with [Guest Name], Heavy Metal Journalist
**Interviewer:** [Guest Name], thank you for joining us today. We are all deeply saddened to hear about Jeff “Mantas” Dunn’s departure from Venom Inc. Can you tell us more about the circumstances surrounding his decision?
**Guest:** It’s certainly shocking news for the heavy metal community. Mantas has been an influential figure for decades. According to his own statement on social media, health concerns and personal reasons played a significant role in his decision. He recently suffered a second heart attack, which understandably must have been a serious wake-up call. He also mentions the loss of his beloved cat, Spooky, which undoubtedly added to the emotional strain.
**Interviewer:** His message was deeply personal and heartfelt.
**Guest:** Absolutely. He expressed immense gratitude for the outpouring of support he received from fans after his heart attack, emphasizing how overwhelming and meaningful it was for him. Despite the difficult decision to leave Venom Inc., it’s clear that Mantas is determined to prioritize his wellbeing and family. He also hinted at new musical endeavors, so we can hopefully look forward to hearing more from him in the future.
**Interviewer:** That’s encouraging for his fans! Were there any hints of discord within the band leading up to this announcement?
**Guest:** From what we know publicly, there wasn’t any indication of internal conflict. Mantas’s statement focused entirely on personal reasons.
**Interviewer:** Venom Inc. has gone through some lineup changes in recent years. Do you think this will significantly impact their future?
**Guest:** It’s never easy losing a founding member, especially someone as iconic as Mantas. His unique guitar style was integral to Venom Inc.’s sound. However, the band has faced challenges before and adapted. Demonition Man and JXN have proven themselves to be capable musicians. It will be interesting to see how they move forward, potentially with a new guitarist, but I believe Venom Inc. will continue to create powerful music. [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venom_Inc.)]