Breaking News

Venom Frontman Conrand "Cronos" Lant Passes Away Aged 63

Conrad Lant, the Newcastle musician known to fans around the world as Cronos, the frontman of extreme metal pioneers Venom, has died. He was sixty three years old. No cause of death or further information has been given yet, but his passing was announced via the band's official social media. Their message reads as follows:

"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. Venom never followed the rules. 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."

A message from Nathan, Conrad’s son:
"I want to thank all of the Legions for all of the support you have given my dad over the years. 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."

The band continued:
"His music will never die. His voice will never fade. 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."

Lant joined the band Guillotine in 1979, who soon afterwards would adopt the more familiar Venom moniker, originally as a guitarist before switching to bass. He would then take over behind the microphone when original vocalist Clive Archer left the band the following year. Cronos was instrumental in introduced what would become their trademark imagery and subject matter to the fold, and composed many of the early favourites such as "Welcome To Hell" and "Bloodlust." Along with guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn and drummer Anthony "Abaddon" Bray, the classic lineup would release the seminal albums, "Welcome To Hell," "Black Metal," "At War With Satan" and "Possessed," which had a huge effect on metal music. Cronos himself would talk very early on about creating new metal tags such as black metal and death metal, because he felt the term "heavy metal" had been tainted by Michael Jackson's "Beat It" entering the heavy metal chart, due its inclusion of a guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen.

After Mantas left, Venom would release the album, "Calm Before The Storm" in 1987, after which Mantas returned but Cronos left to embark on a solo career, releasing three albums before returning to Venom to release the 1997 album, "Cast In Stone." Abaddon left after the album's release, with Mantas following suit after their next album, "Resurrection." Since then Cronos remained the sole member of the band's classic era and under his leadership, Venom continued to release some truly excellent material on the albums "Metal Black," "Hell," "Fallen Angels," "From The Very Depths," Storm The Gates" and only this year, "Into Oblivion."