British metal icon Conrad Thomas Lant, known as Cronos, passes away at 63
Conrad Thomas Lant, the bassist and vocalist of the pioneering metal band Venom, has died at the age of 63. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Conrad Thomas Lant, the 63-year-old bassist and vocalist of the influential British metal group Venom, has died, according to a statement posted by the band. Formed in Newcastle, England, Venom emerged in the late 1970s and became a cornerstone of extreme metal, blending heavy metal, punk, and satanic themes. Their debut album "Welcome to Hell" and the follow-up that coined the term "black metal" shaped the sound of later Norwegian acts such as Mayhem and Darkthrone.
Bandmates described Lant's voice, bass lines, and artistic direction as the heart of Venom for over forty years. In a 2019 interview, Cronos cited influences like Motörhead, Black Sabbath, and Alice Cooper. The band announced the death without providing a cause, stating it is currently unknown.
Why it matters
The death of a seminal figure in metal highlights the genre's historical roots and its influence on later music scenes.
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