Conrad 'Cronos' Lant, Frontman of Metal Pioneers Venom, Dies at 63
Conrad 'Cronos' Lant, frontman and bassist of pioneering British metal band Venom, has died at age 63. His iconic work shaped the black metal subgenre and influenced generations of musicians.
Conrad 'Cronos' Lant, the frontman and bassist of the British metal band Venom, has passed away at the age of 63. His death was officially confirmed by his bandmates and his son, Nathan. The cause of death has not been disclosed, and his family and friends have asked to thank fans for their unwavering support throughout the years.
A Pioneer of Extreme Metal
In an official statement, the band noted that for more than four decades, Lant's distinctive voice, bass playing, and vision remained at the very heart of Venom. His son Nathan shared that his father deeply appreciated the connection he shared with the global fanbase. Lant, widely known by his stage name Cronos, became one of the most recognizable figures associated with Venom, which originated in Newcastle in the late 1970s. He initially joined the band when it was still known as Guillotine before taking over bass and lead vocal duties.
Legacy and Musical Impact
Venom's major breakthrough arrived in the early 1980s with their debut album Welcome to Hell in 1981, followed by the landmark 1982 release Black Metal. That second album famously lent its name to an entire subgenre of heavy metal, and the band's aggressive, fast-paced sound and dark imagery left a profound mark on legendary acts such as Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. Following a hiatus in the late 1980s, Lant launched a solo project under the name Cronos before Venom reunited in 1995, continuing to record and perform live well into the summer of 2026.
