Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Venom is a legendary band being hugely influential on thrash, death, and black metal. But who influenced them? At the heart of the band in the early years you have Cronos, Mantas, and Abaddom. There has been several line up changes but always with either Cronos or Mantas. For that reason their influences are the most important ones but I’ll touch on some of the other members who have contributed over the years as well.

The Rolling Stones were a important 60’s rock band with a lot of blues in their sound. Cronos named them as an influence.

One of the earliest rock bands that played a harder rock style, Cronos named The Who as an influence.

Deep Purple has been hugely influential for metal bands. Cronos named them as an influence and Abaddon named them as his favorite band.

The fathers of metal, Black Sabbath. Cronos, Mantas, and Abaddon named Sabbath an influence.

Kiss is known for their live shows and Venom for sure was influenced by their stage shows. Kiss was a band they have covered over the years. Cronos, Mantas, and Abaddon named them as an influence. Antton names both Peter Chris and Eric Carr as infl… — Kiss is known for their live shows and Venom for sure was influenced by their stage shows. Kiss was a band they have covered over the years. Cronos, Mantas, and Abaddon named them as an influence. Antton names both Peter Chris and Eric Carr as influences.

Judas Priest, the metal gods influenced tons of metal bands including Venom who adopted their studs and leather look. Cronos, Mantas, and Abaddon named them as an influence. In the early days they covered Priest. Abaddon name the one time drummer fr… — Judas Priest, the metal gods influenced tons of metal bands including Venom who adopted their studs and leather look. Cronos, Mantas, and Abaddon named them as an influence. In the early days they covered Priest. Abaddon name the one time drummer from *Sin After Sin,* Simon Phillips as his favorite drummer. Antton named Scott Travis as an influences.

The Tubes are considered more of a proto-punk band. They were listed as an influence by Cronos.

Motorhead, the legendary no frills heavy metal band had a big influence on Venom. Mantas stated that Venom’s goal was to combine the stage show of Kiss with the sound of Motorhead.

One of the biggest bands in Punk even though short lived, they had a big influence on not just punk but some metal bands such as Venom. Cronos named them as an influence.

AC/DC are the quintessential hard rock band. Demolition Man named them as an influence.

It’s hard to find guitar players who aren’t inspired by Eddie Van Halen. He’s easily one of the most influential guitar players. Van Halen’s influence can be heard on the album The Calm Before The Storm even if it’s not as obvious on their other alb… — It’s hard to find guitar players who aren’t inspired by Eddie Van Halen. He’s easily one of the most influential guitar players. Van Halen’s influence can be heard on the album *The Calm Before The Storm* even if it’s not as obvious on their other albums. Cronos named them as an influence. Antton named them as an early influence.

The Dickies were a punk rock band. Demolition man named them as an influence.

Pantera changed the music world when they released Cowbosy From Hell. Antton named Vinnie Paul as his biggest influence. — Pantera changed the music world when they released *Cowbosy From Hell*. Antton named Vinnie Paul as his biggest influence.

Cronos named Elvis as an influence because of the controversy around him.

Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan replaced Cronos from 1989-1995 and played on three albums.

Al Barns played guitar on Prime Evil and Temples of Ice, however I am uncertain what his influences are.

Antton played on three albums and co wrote (including riffs) in the 2000’s.

La Rage has been on guitar since 2007. Some of his influences include Slayer, Testament, and Archenemy. I’m uncertain on how much he as contributed to writing.

Mike “Mykvs” Hickney who played on The Calm Before the Storm and co-wrote on Metal Black. He named some of his influences as Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Ace Frehley, Al Di Meola, Jean-Luc Ponty, Mike Bloomfield, Leslie West, John Sykes, Pantera

James Clare only has two co writing credits on The Calm Before the Storm.

As for newest drummer Dante I’m unsure if he has any writing credits or what his influences are.

Bands influenced by Venom!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

German Thrash and first wave black metal

FUCKIN’ SLAYER!!!!

Classic Death Metal

Moving Black Metal in a progressive direction.

Sources:

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/venom-frontman-talks-about-guitarist-change/
https://sabian.com/artist/antton-lant/
http://www.maximum-ink.com/2000/features/venom-12-00/
http://www.maximumink.com/index.php/articles/permalink/mpire_of_evil
https://medium.com/@JakamKourasanis/tony-demolition-man-dolan-venom-inc-interview-c362bdb613c3
https://st-news.com/issues/st-news-volume-10-issue-1/features/interviews/venom/an-interview-with-abaddon/
https://web.archive.org/web/20100110155313/http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/sunra/315/venominterviewrichards.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20100110155313/http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/sunra/315/venominterviewrichards.html
http://bravewords.com/news/venom-drummer-antton-lant-vinnie-paul-is-definitely-one-of-my-biggest-influences

Metal Family Tree

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Stryper are mostly known for the fact that they are a Christian metal band. Unlike many christian bands that are only using music as a way to spread the gospel, Stryper standout as actually being decent although admittedly extremely cheesy. They do some traditional heavy metal as well as a more glam style. They have maintained a consistent lineup with the exception of a couple bass player changes. The classic line up consists of Michael Sweet on guitar/vocals, Robert Sweet on drums, Oz Fox on guitar, and Tim Gaines on bass. Other bassists would be Tracy Ferrie and Perry Richardson. They would also have a few other members early on who never recorded with the band. The vast majority of songs have been written by Micheal with only a few songs over the years being written or co-written by other members. For that reason this tree will focus on mostly his influences.

Deep Purple are among the most influential bands on heavy metal while actually only doing a relatively small amount of heavy metal songs and being more of a hard rock band. Stryper covered Deep Purple on their The Covering album that was full of son… — Deep Purple are among the most influential bands on heavy metal while actually only doing a relatively small amount of heavy metal songs and being more of a hard rock band. Stryper covered Deep Purple on their *The Covering* album that was full of songs that influenced them.

Few bands have been as important on rock as Led Zeppelin. Stryper covered them on their The Covering album that was full of songs that influenced them. Robert was influenced by Bonham. — Few bands have been as important on rock as Led Zeppelin. Stryper covered them on their *The Covering* album that was full of songs that influenced them. Robert was influenced by Bonham.

The Fathers of Metal, Black Sabbath. Stryper covered a Dio era Black Sabbath song on their The Covering album that was full of songs that influenced them. — The Fathers of Metal, Black Sabbath. Stryper covered a Dio era Black Sabbath song on their *The Covering* album that was full of songs that influenced them.

Sweet were a glam/hard rock band. Stryper covered Sweet on their The Covering album that was full of songs that influenced them. — Sweet were a glam/hard rock band. Stryper covered Sweet on their *The Covering* album that was full of songs that influenced them.

With the incredible Michael Schenker on guitar, UFO was very influential. Stryper covered UFO on their The Covering album that was full of songs that influenced them. — With the incredible Michael Schenker on guitar, UFO was very influential. Stryper covered UFO on their *The Covering* album that was full of songs that influenced them.

Styx were arena rockers. Michael named them as one of the band he grew up listing to.

Scorpions had a balance of hard rock and heavy metal. Stryper covered Scorpions on their The Covering album that was full of songs that influenced them. — Scorpions had a balance of hard rock and heavy metal. Stryper covered Scorpions on their *The Covering* album that was full of songs that influenced them.

Kansas were a progressive rock band. Stryper covered them on their The Covering album that was full of songs that influenced them. — Kansas were a progressive rock band. Stryper covered them on their *The Covering* album that was full of songs that influenced them.

The Metal Gods! Michael says Halford is his all time favorite metal singer and an influence on him. He says they are huge Priest fans.

Kiss were a huge band known for their exciting live shows. Stryper covered them on their The Covering album that was full of songs that influenced them. — Kiss were a huge band known for their exciting live shows. Stryper covered them on their *The Covering* album that was full of songs that influenced them.

Journey were arena rockers with a bunch of pop hits. Michael named them as a band he grew up listing to and named singer Steve Perry as one of his favorite singers.

Boston were a hard rock / progressive rock band. Michael says they wee a big influence on him. He even filled in with them in recent years.

Y&T were a hard rock / heavy metal / glam band. Robert named their drummer Leonard Hays as an influence.

Van Halen brought a spark into music with Eddie’s flashy playing that would reshape the music world. Michael said they are heavily inspired by Van Halen. Robert named Alex as an influence.

Iron Maiden are one of the most influential bands. Michael named them as one of the bands he grew up listing to.

Ozzy has had some amazing guitar players over the years. Michael talks about being a huge Randy Rhoads fan. Oz also names him as a huge influence.

Michael also names Steve Perry and Paul Rodgers as favorite signers. He talks about growing up with his dad listening to a variety of things from Mario Lanza to Elvis Presley to Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Robert says he was influenced by a lot of singer and guitar players and wanted to bring that showmen ship to drums.

More Family Trees

Sources

https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-strypers-michael-sweet#:~:text=%E2%80%9COn%20Fire%E2%80%9D%20(Van%20Halen,new%20level%20in%20our%20band.&text=Definitely%2C%20man%2C%20and%20as%20a,one%20of%20my%20biggest%20influences.
https://themusicroom.me/michael-sweet-a-year-in-the-valley/
http://www.thirdstage.ca/boston/articles/interviews/604-more-than-a-feeling-an-interview-with-michael-sweet
https://amnplify.com.au/portfolio-items/interview-with-michael-sweet-from-stryper-18-07-18/
https://www.houstonpress.com/music/strypers-michael-sweet-god-formed-this-band-6770118
http://bravewords.com/news/stryper-drummer-robert-sweet-talks-gear-rock-stars-and-stripes-in-new-career-spanning-interview
https://twitter.com/sirozfox/status/975746852451639296?lang=en

Venom Family Tree

Metal Family Tree

Bands influenced by Venom!

Stryper Family Tree

Metal Family Tree