Venom frontman and black metal pioneer Conrad “Cronos” Lant has passed away at the age of 63, as announced by the band in a statement shared on Facebook.
The band’s statement paid tribute to Lant’s legacy, highlighting his immense influence on heavy music and expressing gratitude to the fans who supported him throughout his career.
“IN MEMORIAM — CONRAD ‘CRONOS’ LANT,” the band said. “It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we share the news that Conrad “Cronos” Lant has passed away. For more than four decades, Conrad’s voice, bass and vision were at the heart of VENOM. From the first dark rumblings of Welcome to Hell, through Black Metal, At War With Satan, Possessed and beyond, he created something that changed heavy music forever.”
The band went on to emphasize how Lant and Venom forged their own path in the music industry.
“VENOM never followed the rules,” the band continued. “They forged their own path. And Conrad was there at the centre of it all — uncompromising, fearless and unmistakable. The Legions have always been an important part of VENOM. To everyone who stood with the band through the years, bought the records, came to the shows, wore the shirts, shared the music and kept the flame burning — Cronos was always grateful for your loyalty and support.”
The statement concluded with a final farewell to the legendary musician, offering condolences to his family and friends.
“His music will never die,” the band added. “His voice will never fade. And the legacy of VENOM will live on through the music he created and through the Legions around the world who continue to carry that flame. Thank you, Conrad. Thank you, Cronos. Thank you for the music. Thank you for the memories. Our deepest love and condolences go to Nathan & Hel, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Conrad. The legend lives on.”
Additionally, Lant’s son, Nathan, shared a message thanking the fans for their support over the years.
“I want to thank all of the Legions for all of the support you have given my dad over the years,” Nathan said. “I know he really appreciated you all. He has laid down his soul, and his music will live on. The legend of Cronos will never die.”
Lant’s death closes a career that stretched back to the very beginnings of extreme metal, and his story is inseparable from the band he helped build in the north of England.
Venom emerged from Newcastle upon Tyne at the end of the 1970s, and their early albums Welcome to Hell (1981) and Black Metal (1982) became foundational records for extreme metal. Black Metal is widely credited with giving the black metal genre its name.
Lant’s path into the band began when he was still a teenager. He joined the group that became Venom as a guitarist before switching to bass and eventually taking over as lead vocalist. He left Venom in 1987 to launch a solo career under the name Cronos, but returned in 1995 and fronted the reunited band on 1997’s Cast In Stone.
Venom’s reach extended well beyond their own records. Their influence on heavy metal, particularly thrash, was vast and far-reaching, touching bands such as Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, as well as Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, who collaborated with Lant on the Probot project in 2004.
Those records and collaborations help explain why Lant’s passing has resonated across generations of heavy music. For more than four decades, his voice and bass lines remained a constant thread running through Venom’s catalog, from the raw, chaotic energy of their early work to the band’s later releases.
The statement from the band and the message from his son reflect a career defined by consistency and independence. Lant never sought to soften Venom’s sound or image, and the band’s own tribute credits him with shaping a legacy that continues to be carried by fans around the world.
