Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant, vocalist and bassist of Venom, dies at 63

Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant, the singer and bassist of the pioneering English black metal band Venom, has died at the age of 63. The news was announced by the band via social media on Thursday, October 1.

Lant was a central figure in the group for over four decades. Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1978, Venom became instrumental in the development of the black metal genre, as well as influencing thrash, speed, and death metal. His work on seminal albums such as ‘Welcome to Hell’, ‘Black Metal’, and ‘At War with Satan’ helped define the sound and imagery of the genre.

In a statement, the band expressed their profound sadness, noting that Lant’s voice, bass, and vision were at the heart of Venom. They described him as an uncompromising and fearless presence who helped the band carve its own path during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era. No specific cause of death has been released.