Overview
- Venom announced Conrad “Cronos” Lant’s death in a social post on Thursday, October 1, 2026, and neither the band nor his family have disclosed a cause of death.
- Cronos was the founding singer and bassist whose 1982 album Black Metal is widely credited with naming and shaping the black metal style.
- He remained active with Venom into 2026, appearing on the group's sixteenth studio album, Into Oblivion, released in May by Noise/BMG.
- Longstanding disputes over the Venom name and artwork persist: a June 2024 lawsuit produced court findings that split ownership of key designs and multiple live lineups have used variations of the Venom name.
- Fans, bandmates and the music community have paid tribute while the family and rights holders sort next steps for merchandise, touring and the band’s legacy.