From Loudwire · · 1m 50s
Remembering Venom's Cronos - The Architect Who Defined Black Metal
Venom's Cronos, the black metal architect, dies at 63 leaving a legacy of influence.
In brief
Venom's Cronos, the black metal architect, dies at 63 leaving a legacy of influence. Venom's frontman Conrad 'Cronos' Lant died at 63, shaping black metal and extreme metal genres. Originally reported by Loudwire.
Cronos' death
Conrad 'Cronos' Lant died at 63, sparking grief and respect across metal communities.
“He was the King of Black Metal, hands-down”
Cronos' influence
Pain and Hypocrisy's Peter Tägtgren called him one of the biggest influences in his lifetime.
“One of the biggest influences in my lifetime”
Cronos' early impact
Cronos met Tägtgren at Wacken in the 2000s, recalling his first Venom album experience.
“I heard the Welcome to Hell album in early 1982 and was thinking, 'this is the music I wanna play'”
Venom's formation
Venom formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1979, with Cronos moving to bass in 1980.
“Cronos moved from rhythm guitar to bass after learning that Alan Winston did not wish to continue”
Venom's classic lineup
Venom's classic three-piece lineup featured Mantas on guitars and Abaddon on drums.
“the trio would later reunite for a time, birthing the likes of the Venom '96 EP and Cast in Stone (1997)”
Venom's genre impact
Venom pioneered black metal, thrash, speed, and death metal, influencing Slayer and Metallica.
“Slayer and Metallica, who both opened for Venom”
Welcome to Hell
Venom's 1981 debut album Welcome to Hell inspired Mayhem's name and became a black metal landmark.
“Welcome to Hell's fourth track, 'Mayhem with Mercy,' had actually inspired Mayhem's name”
Black Metal album
Venom's 1982 album Black Metal provided the genre with its name.
“Black Metal (1982), quite literally provided the black metal genre with its name”
Cronos' persona
Cronos viewed himself as an entertainer, not a Satanist, emphasizing anti-Christian lyrics.
“We're not really preaching Satanism, we're just writing fantastic rock 'n' roll lyrics about anti-Christianism”
Norwegian black metal
Norwegian black metal bands like Euronymous and Thorns' Snorre Ruch pioneered the genre's tremolo-picked style.
“early Norwegian black metal bands had to be unique”
Tulus tribute
Tulus' Blodstrup, a Khold frontman, credited Venom for his early metal influence.
“I saw Venom live on TV from Hammersmith in 1985. It made a huge impact on me”
Cronos' legacy
Cronos' influence extended to bands like Enthroned, Cradle of Filth, and Dimmu Borgir.
“Cronos was one of those people that made such an impact with his work”
Cronos' final album
Venom's 16th album Into Oblivion premiered on May 1, 2026, with Cronos as its final release.
“Into Oblivion premiered earlier this year on May 1”
Cronos' death impact
Cronos' death at 63 leaves a legacy of influence across black metal and extreme metal genres.
“His music will never die. His voice will never fade”
Cronos' family legacy
Cronos' cousin Nornagest of Enthroned credits Venom for his early metal influence.
“I grew up with black metal, obviously. My cousin introduced me to it back then”
What matters most
Venom's frontman Conrad 'Cronos' Lant died at 63, shaping black metal and extreme metal genres.
