57-year old founding Venom guitarist and current Venom Inc. guitarist Jeffrey "Mantas" Dunn suffered a heart attack on April 30 of this year. According to a joint statement issued by Nuclear Blast and Dunn today, Dunn died during the heart attack and had to be resuscitated. He then received a double bypass surgery in his hometown of Lisbon, Portugal and is currently at home on the mend.
Dunn recounts the experience below. We wish him all the best in his recovery, and of course we hope to see him back up on stage sometime soon as well!
"What happened ranks easily as the most terrifying experience of my life. The paramedics and doctor fought for just over 5 minutes to bring me back. I am now home resting and recuperating, taking walks and slowly building my strength up. From this day on, going through airport security will be interesting as my breast bone is clamped together with surgical steel.
"There have been things which have happened during these last few weeks, which I have found very hard to come to terms with but its getting better. I simply do not know where or how to begin to thank every single doctor, nurse or health care worker who has played some part, no matter how small, in helping me recover from this. There is still a way to go but I remain positive.
"My thanks and enduring love goes to Anita (my partner) who has been with me every step of the way. My brother Tony Dolan, who upon hearing the news took the first available flight to be by my side. My neighbors and friends in our wonderful village who (despite language barriers) have shown so much concern and compassion.
"I will hopefully see you on a stage somewhere in the world soon my friends."
Dunn's most recent output was Venom Inc.'s 2017 debut album Avé.
