The metal world is mourning the loss of one of its most influential and unmistakable figures.
Conrad “Cronos” Lant, the legendary vocalist and bassist of Venom, has died at the age of 63. Venom confirmed his passing today, October 1. At the time of the announcement, no cause of death had been given.
For more than four decades, Cronos stood at the center of Venom’s dark and uncompromising sound. Alongside guitarist Jeffrey “Mantas” Dunn and drummer Anthony “Abaddon” Bray, he helped create a raw, aggressive style that would leave an enormous mark on extreme metal.
Born in London in 1963 and raised in Newcastle, Cronos joined Venom in 1978 during the rise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Drawing influence from punk’s attitude and the heavier sounds emerging from the UK metal scene, Venom developed something entirely their own.
Their 1981 debut album, Welcome to Hell, became a landmark release, followed by 1982’s Black Metal — an album whose title would ultimately become the name of an entire extreme-metal movement.
Bands such as Mayhem, Emperor and Darkthrone would later draw inspiration from the darkness, aggression and DIY spirit Venom helped establish.
Cronos left Venom in 1987 and pursued other musical projects before returning to the band in 1995. From there, he remained the driving force behind Venom through numerous lineup changes and decades of music.
He ultimately appeared on 13 Venom studio albums, including the band’s most recent release, Into Oblivion, released earlier this year.
Venom’s statement described Cronos as the heart of the band’s voice, bass and vision for more than 40 years, while his son Nathan expressed his gratitude to the fans who supported his father throughout his career.
“He has laid down his soul, and his music will live on. The legend of Cronos will never die.”
That legacy is difficult to overstate.
Venom didn’t simply make heavy metal louder or darker. They helped open the door for an entirely new generation of extreme music.
From Welcome to Hell and Black Metal to the countless bands influenced by their sound and imagery, Cronos’ fingerprints can be heard throughout the history of black metal and extreme metal.
His voice may now be silent, but the music remains.
REST IN PEACE, CONRAD “CRONOS” LANT
Thank you for the music.Thank you for the memories.Thank you for helping change heavy metal forever.
The legend lives on.
🖤
