Black metal pioneers Venom mourn death of frontman Conrad 'Cronos' Lant

The British extreme metal band Venom has announced the death of its co-founder and frontman, Conrad "Cronos" Lant, with the group describing him in a tribute as "fearless and unmistakable."

Formed in Newcastle in the late 1970s, Venom is widely credited by musicians and critics as one of the founding acts of the black metal genre, and an important influence on the broader extreme metal scene that followed, including death metal and thrash. Lant served as the band's vocalist and bassist across its decades-long career, helping shape the aggressive sound and dark aesthetic that later bands across the world would draw on.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians and fans, many of whom credited Venom's early recordings with opening the door for a generation of heavier, more uncompromising rock music. The band's own statement, confirming his passing, emphasised both his musical contribution and his distinctive personal style as a performer and bandleader.

Details of the circumstances surrounding Lant's death have not been made public. Venom said further tributes and information would follow as the band and its community come to terms with the loss of one of its founding members.

Lant's influence is likely to be felt across the metal world in the coming days, as artists who cite Venom as a formative influence share their own reflections on a band that helped set the template for extreme metal more than four decades ago.