Biography
Legendary Guitarist & Co-Founder of Venom
Jeff "Mantas" Dunn, founder of the black metal legends Venom, is responsible for much of the band's classic early material, shaping the future of heavy metal and leaving an indelible mark on the genre.
Born and raised in Newcastle in the North East of England, music was a central part of Jeff's life from an early age. His father, a drummer, and his mother, who financed his first guitar and amp, unknowingly set the stage for what would become a monumental career in metal. Jeff recalls, "There was always music in the house. Little did they know what they had started!"
His journey into music began in 1976 at a Taekwondo club, where he met another musician. This encounter marked the beginnings of a band that would evolve into Venom, one of the most influential groups in metal history. Alongside his 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, Jeff also holds a 1st Degree Black Belt in Aikido and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Freestyle Karate.
Known for their raw and aggressive sound, Venom's influence shaped numerous metal sub-genres, including thrash and death metal. Jeff's innovative guitar work defined the band's signature style, inspiring countless bands worldwide. During the early years, Venom toured globally, performing with heavyweights like Metallica and Slayer.
Though quiet and unassuming off-stage, his electrifying persona as Mantas reflects his passion for music. His legacy is secured: Guitar World ranks him 39th among the 100 greatest metal guitarists, he’s honoured in Joel McIver's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists, contributed to the Metallica biography Justice for All, and wrote the preface for the Extreme Metal Handbook.
From Venom's Prime Evil era to projects like Dryll, M-pire of Evil, and Venom Inc, Jeff continually evolves. His motto, "Without evolution, comes extinction," drives him to push creative boundaries.
After surviving a massive heart attack on 30 April 2018 — clinically dead for five minutes before being revived — he returned to the stage at the Bloodstock Festival within ten weeks. This reaffirmed his commitment to making the most of every moment.
Now based in Portugal, Jeff composes new music in his personal studio and donates a portion of merchandise profits to local animal sanctuaries and rescue projects. "You only get one shot on this planet," he says. "Live it fully. At the end, you should say, 'I did my best and seized every opportunity,' rather than regret what was never attempted. If you’re not in it, you can’t win it!"