VENOM: Scandinavian Tour Dates Announced

British black metal pioneers VENOM have confirmed a "Scandinavian 7 Dates Tour" beginning late May.

Commented VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant: "Even though we headlined the festivals last year, because of the time of year it was still broad daylight, so to play some indoor venues in the pitch black will be a much more venomous environment, we can't wait."

"Scandinavian 7 Dates Tour" dates:

May 23 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Pumpehuset
May 24 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Klubben
May 26 - Oulu, Finland @ Teatria
May 27 - Helsinki, Finland @ Nosturi
May 29 - Oslo, Norway @ Betong
May 30 - Goteborg, Sweden @ Karen
May 31 - Malmo, Sweden @ KB

Sanctuary Records has set an April 23 release date for the reissue of VENOM's 2000 album, "Resurrection". The CD, which was originally issued in 2000 on the Steamhammer label, was the first VENOM album to feature Antony "Antton" Lant (brother of VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant) on the drums. The new CD will include an extensive booklet of photos and artwork taken around the time the original LP was released, as well as sleeve notes by longtime U.K. rock journalist Malcolm Dome.

VENOM recently parted ways with guitarist Mykvs (a.k.a. Mike Hickey; ex-CARCASS, CATHEDRAL). "Personal unavoidable commitments in the U.S. have forced Mykvs to announce that he cannot commit 100% to VENOM's 2007 schedule," the band previously wrote in a statement. A new guitarist by the name of Rage has already been drafted in to replace Mykvs and is currently working in the studio with the rest of the group on demos for their next album.

Commented drummer Antony "Antton" Lant (brother of VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant): "[Rage] is a proper metalhead. It's great hearing the way he incorporates dive bombs into the riffs; it really reminds me of a certain former original member. He is quite an enigma."

Check out photos of the new VENOM lineup at this location.

With regards to the direction of the band's next album, VENOM frontman Cronos previously said, "VENOM will be even darker and heavier for the next release. The new song ideas that Antton and I have been composing over the last year will be exactly what the 'legions' expect from us, and will really test the abilities of the band members. There's going to be a lot of blood spilled making the next album. This band belongs to the fans and I'm going to stay true to the spirit of VENOM no matter what sacrifices have to be made."

VENOM last September cancelled its appearance at the Thrash Domination Fest 2006 in Kanagawa, Japan after "Cronos was "taken ill" and was ordered by his doctor to rest.

VENOM's latest CD, "Metal Black", was released in North America in April 2006 via Sanctuary Records. The CD was mixed at the Townhouse Studios in London and contains 14 new songs.