After holding auditions for the last few months, pioneering British black metal band VENOM has announced the addition of drummer Danté to the group's ranks.

Commented VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant: "We had a fantastic response. There were many great players to choose from, but at the end of the day I wasn't looking for someone who could just play the songs, I wanted somebody who was really hungry to be in the band for all the right reasons, and Danté also has all the right qualifications."

VENOM is now in rehearsals with Danté and will be recording demos for the next album over the coming weeks, as well as planning future shows.

Drummer Antony "Antton" Lant (who is also Cronos' brother) announced his departure from VENOM in April. He told BLABBERMOUTH.NET at the time, "I have left for various reasons and would like to concentrate on my own band called DEF-CON-ONE.

DEF-CON-ONE's 10-track CD "Blood Soaks The Floor", is available from the band's MySpace page.

"Hell", the latest album from VENOM, was released in North America in September 2008 via Universal Music Enterprises.

VENOM is planning to release a special-edition version of its "Black Metal" album later this year. According to the band, the new set will contain bonus tracks and a DVD of the "7th Date of Hell" video of VENOM performing live at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England in 1984.

On October 22, 2008, a two-album Japan-only cardboard sleeve reissue series from VENOM was made available via Universal Music featuring the following LPs:

* "Welcome To Hell" (1981)
* "Black Metal" (1982)

Each cardboard sleeve reissue features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD players).