Conrad "Cronos" Lant, the influential frontman of the UK heavy metal band Venom, has died at the age of 63. Lant, born in Chelsea in 1963, was instrumental in shaping the sound and attitude of metal music, particularly through his band's impact on the black metal subgenre.
Venom emerged from Newcastle upon Tyne in the late 1970s, with Lant aiming to reintroduce a sense of danger to a genre he felt had become "lame." He told Guitar World in 2008 that his goal was "For metal bands to get some fucking balls again."
The band's approach combined the DIY spirit of punk with heavy riffs and confrontational lyrics, as heard on their 1981 single "In League With Satan." Despite initial critical disdain, Venom's ferocity inspired a new wave of musicians and the black metal scene, which took its name from the band's 1982 album.
Lant's stage presence, described as a mix of rock's most intimidating figures, was widely mimicked. He expressed pride in Venom's distinct sound, telling Classic Rock, "We wanted to create music that scared people. And we succeeded."
Beyond his public persona, Lant also enjoyed birdwatching and listened to artists like Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush. He left Venom from 1987 to 1995, during which time he worked as a fitness instructor, before returning to the band.