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Venom Frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant Dies at 63, Influential in Black Metal

Conrad "Cronos" Lant, bassist and vocalist of pioneering British heavy metal band Venom, died at age 63. Announced on October 1, 2026, his passing marks the loss of a central figure in shaping black metal.

Timeline

  1. 1963: Conrad Lant is born.
  2. 1978: Cronos co-founds Venom in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
  3. 1981: Venom releases debut album "Welcome to Hell."
  4. 1982: Venom releases "Black Metal," an album shaping the black metal genre.
  5. 2026-10-01: Venom announces Cronos’s death at age 63.

Conrad "Cronos" Lant, the influential bassist and lead vocalist of the British heavy metal band Venom, died in 2026 at the age of 63. The band announced his death on October 1, 2026, expressing deep sorrow and highlighting his pivotal role over more than 40 years as the band’s driving force. They noted his voice, bass playing, and vision defined Venom's identity and presence in heavy metal music (1). [1]

Born in 1963, Cronos co-founded Venom in 1978 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Venom pioneered a new level of aggressive sound and dark imagery, with their 1981 debut album 'Welcome to Hell' and especially their 1982 follow-up 'Black Metal' profoundly influencing the emerging black metal genre. The latter's title notably helped define the genre’s name and aesthetic (2). [2]

Throughout his career, Cronos steered Venom through numerous lineup changes, remaining the band’s constant figure, continuously performing and recording. His contributions have left a long-lasting and indelible mark on heavy metal, inspiring countless bands and generations of fans worldwide. His son, Nathan, expressed gratitude for the support from fans and said that his father’s music and legend will live on (1). [1]

As of the latest reports, the cause of Cronos’s death has not been publicly disclosed. The timing of the announcement by Venom has brought renewed public and media focus on both his legacy and the origins of black metal, a genre still widely followed around the world (1, 2). [1][2]

Sources

  1. VENOM Frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant Dead At 63 — The MetalList
  2. Conrad "Cronos" Lant, Venom Vocalist and Founding Force of Black Metal, Has Died at 63Ghost Cult Magazine

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