Venom vocalist and bassist Conrad “Cronos” Lant has passed away

Conrad “Cronos” Lant, best known as the vocalist and bassist of British metal band Venom, has died. Venom announced his passing on Thursday, October 1. No cause of death has been disclosed.

Lant was 63 years old.

“It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we share the news that Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant has passed away,” Venom wrote in their tribute.

Cronos was at the heart of Venom’s sound and identity for more than four decades. The band highlighted landmark albums including “Welcome to Hell,” “Black Metal,” “At War With Satan” and “Possessed” while paying tribute to his uncompromising role in the group’s history.

Venom’s early material would go on to have a major influence on the development of extreme metal. In particular, the band’s 1982 album “Black Metal” gave its name to an entire metal subgenre, while Venom’s raw and aggressive approach became an important influence on generations of black and thrash metal bands.

Cronos’ son Nathan also shared a message thanking Venom’s fans for the support they had shown his father over the years.

“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.”

In their statement, Venom paid tribute to the musician and the legacy he leaves behind:

“His music will never die. 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.”