Venom Founder Conrad 'Cronos' Lant Dies at 63
Venom frontman and bassist Conrad 'Cronos' Lant has died at the age of 63. The band confirmed his passing on October 1, 2026, without disclosing a cause of death. Lant, born in London in 1963, was a key figure in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and helped pioneer the black metal genre. His final album with Venom, 'Into Oblivion,' was released earlier this year. Tributes have emerged from peers like Slayer/Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, while Lant's son Nathan thanked fans for their support over his father's four-decade career.
Key points
- Conrad 'Cronos' Lant, Venom's singer and bassist, died at 63 on October 1, 2026.
- No cause of death was provided in the official statement from the band.
- Lant joined Venom in 1978 and was instrumental in creating the black metal subgenre with the 1982 album 'Black Metal'.
- He left the band in 1987 for a solo career but returned in 1995, leading the group through multiple lineup changes until his death.
- His most recent work with Venom was the album 'Into Oblivion,' released in 2026.
- Lant's son Nathan posted a tribute on social media, stating that 'the legend of Cronos will never die'.
Background
Lant was a central figure in the UK heavy metal scene, moving from London to Newcastle at age eight. He co-founded Venom with Jeffrey 'Mantas' Dunn and Tony 'Abaddon' Bray, releasing their debut 'Welcome To Hell' in 1981. Although he departed in 1987, his return in 1995 solidified his status as the band's creative anchor. He survived an internal dispute in 1999 and continued to steer the band's direction, performing on 12 albums in total. The archive contains no prior coverage of Lant, as previous entries focus on unrelated topics such as The Walking Dead franchise and a missing person case in Las Vegas.
Why it matters
Lant's death marks the end of an era for black metal, a genre he helped define through Venom's aggressive style and satanic imagery. His influence extends beyond his band, shaping the sound of extreme metal acts like Mayhem and Darkthrone. The loss of a foundational figure in heavy metal history prompts a re-evaluation of the genre's origins and the legacy of its pioneers.
What to watch
Venom has not announced whether they will continue performing or recording without Lant. The band's future lineup, currently featuring guitarist Stuart 'LaRage' Dixon and drummer Danny 'Dante' Needham, remains to be seen. Tributes from the metal community are expected to continue in the coming days.
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