There can be few bands in the world of metal with a history as convoluted and confusing as VON. Formed around 1987, the group were arguably the first black metal act in North America and proved both revolutionary and uncompromising, illuminating some listeners while simultaneously alienating many more, their truly barbaric primitivism proving unpalatable to the majority of heavy metal fans at the time. But despite that fact - or indeed because of it - in the years that followed their three-letter, one syllable name would be spoken in the hushed tones of utmost respect. VON would take on an almost mythical status, not least because there was so much confusion about the people behind the band.

*excerpt taken from Black Metal: Evolution of The Cult by Dayal Patterson (Cult Never Dies)

As surely as heavy metal itself begins with Black Sabbath, U.S. black metal begins with VON - whatever the original impetus behind recording such a jarring racket, VON's dedication to dark imagery and unrefined sounds herald the arrival of the black metal ethos to the United States.

*excerpt taken from USBM: A Revolution of Identity in American Black Metal by Daniel Lake (Decibel Books)

VON is an American black metal band originally based out of San Francisco, California. They are thought to be the first American black metal band, to have strongly influenced the second wave of black metal.  VON was formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1992 by founders VENIEN (Jason Ventura) and Goat (Shawn Calizo).

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