Content overview: “Venom Frontman Conrad 'Cronos' Lant Dies at 63: Metal World Mourns”. Conrad “Cronos” Lant, the iconic frontman of pioneering British heavy metal band Venom, has died at age 63, according to posts on the band’s social media and a report by The Guardian. Lant’s raw vocals and bass playing helped define the extreme metal genre, influencing countless bands including Metallica, Slayer, and Mayhem. Venom’s 1982 album “Black Metal” gave the genre its name, and songs like “Welcome to Hell” and “In League with Satan” remain touchstones of underground metal.
Formed in Newcastle in 1979, Venom’s aggressive, lo-fi sound and Satanic imagery set them apart from the mainstream, earning a devoted global following. Lant was the band’s primary songwriter and sole constant member across numerous lineup changes, keeping Venom active for over four decades. His death marks the end of an era for the metal community. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.