Black metal juggernauts Venom Inc. performed their 2017 album Ave in its entirety at this year’s Bloodstock Winter Gathering in the UK. Led by bassist/vocalist Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan, Venom Inc. has been through hell and back, both literally and figuratively. First came the departure of Venom Inc’s drummer after 2 years, then the guitarist 8 years later due to heart problems. The split was not a clean one, as both ex-members had no trouble firing off insults, misinformation, and bitterness.
Dolan is not someone who does this lightly and had no intention of stopping, and continued touring in support of There Is Only Black, recruiting former Venom guitarist Mike Hickey and drummer Jeramie “War Machine” Kling. The tour was very successful, and even more so in North America, proving that, honestly, the fans didn’t care that the ex-guitarist and ex-drummer didn’t appear. Kling then left the band, claiming he was up for the new drummer position in Slipknot, which turned out to be nothing more than a lie, and was even berated publicly by Corey Taylor himself.
In the press, Kling also took his opportunities to talk shit about Venom Inc. and how he felt like he was in a cover band. While it’s no secret that Venom Inc.’s live shows were chock-full of Venom classics, Dolan knew what the fans wanted, so he gave it to them, that is, until the 2025 Bloodstock Festival earlier this month. On this day, Venom Inc. proved once and for all that they are not a “cover band” but a band that decided that it was time to stop living in the past and move forward as its own entity. This was a bold and perhaps a dangerous move. A lot could go wrong with this, but they didn’t give a fuck. The current lineup featuring Marc “JXN” Jackson on drums and Curran “Beleth” Murphy on guitar is a force to be reckoned with, and for the first time, Venom Inc. sounds absolutely untouchable.
Venom Inc. took the stage at Bloodstock Winter Gathering for a thunderous set that saw them performing the 2017 Venom Inc. album, Ave, and the result was nothing less than outstanding. The feedback from the fans, journalists, and other bands about their set was overwhelmingly positive.
Over Drive (www.overdrive.ie) had this to say about Venom Inc.’s set:
Venom Inc.’s arrival immediately shifted the energy. The lights dropped, the smell of paraffin crept across the room, and suddenly a pair of fire-performers emerged, casting wild, flickering shadows across the Steel Mill walls. It felt theatrical in the best possible way and the perfect fit for what we were about to hear.
Moments later, Tony “Demolition” Dolan strode out in full leather and bullet belt, wearing the sort of grin that promised trouble. A full play through of 2017’s Avé thundered through the PA, and the room snapped to life.
Any concerns about recent lineup changes evaporated as Curran Murphy and Marc JXN Jackson locked in tightly, delivering a sharp, punishing performance that kept the crowd roaring from start to finish. With the flames still licking the air at the edge of the stage, Venom Inc. looked and sounded triumphant.
Moshville UK (www.moshville.co.uk) raved about the set as well:
I can’t believe that I’m actually writing this but… yeah, it was going to take something special to come on after Raised By Owls. On one of the preview interviews prior to the festival I had seen, Simon Hall stated that in discussions with Tony Dolan they had set out to do just that – put on something special! Which is how the idea came about to have Venom Inc perform the 2017 Avé album in full.
Right from the beginning, it was clear that this was going to be an exceptional performance. Not only was the opening track from the album, “Avé Satanas”, pounded out by the band in foreboding dramatic fashion, but they were accompanied by a duo of fire artists – adorned by crowns of flame, dancing along to the music and in turns eating and breathing fire.
In a venue the size of KK’s Steel Mill this was a stunning visual introduction to the set during the first song (which was also repeated additionally during the set). Ok, so it maybe pales slightly in comparison to the show Sabaton put on over the weekend but hey, different venues, different scale! In this context, it provided a level of spectacle and focus that really did help turn this set into a part of the festival that will live long in the memory for those attending.
Also, just to state, Tony Dolan may be the only band member left from the recording of this album, but on the day, it didn’t matter a jot. This was a performance that hit the audience like a sledgehammer and the guys in the band looked like they were in their absolute element. Something special? Yeah, job done!
I reached out to Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan recently. I asked him about moving forward with sticking to playing Venom Inc. material, or even some Demolition Man-era Venom (Prime Evil, Temples of Ice, and The Waste Lands). Dolan had this to say:
“We were asked to play the album in full by the festival. We have 2 albums and the 3rd releasing 2026 but then my material from my Venom tenure so lots of material to play.
As for the older Venom material? That WAS and is asked for by FANS! So if they ask for a song and I’m right there then of course. MUSIC = FANS = MUSIC.. THAT is the whole point!!! NOT faking it just to grab their money. lol. Or pretending you are something you are not!”
With a new album coming out in 2026, it’s safe to say that Venom Inc. will be in this for an even longer run than before. These guys are just getting started, and for them, a whole other world has opened up for them.
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