{
  "id": 11473699,
  "title": "Venom Singer/Bassist and Black Metal Icon Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant Dies at 63",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/venom-singer-bassist-and-black-metal-icon-conrad-cronos-lant-dies-at",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T15:40:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/conrad-cronos-lant-death-venom-singer-dies-obituary-1236352998/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Conrad “Cronos” Lant, the lead singer and bassist for pioneering English black metal band Venom, has passed away at the age of 63. The band shared the sad news in an Instagram post, praising Lant's voice, bass, and vision that were instrumental in shaping the band's sound. Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1978, Venom's initial releases, including their debut Welcome to Hell, helped establish the dark and intense black metal genre. Lant's distinctive growl and basslines were central to the band's image and sound, with songs like \"To Hell and Back,\" \"Sons of Satan,\" and \"Black Christmas\" further cementing their association with dark themes and Satanic imagery. After a decade-long hiatus, the original lineup reunited to release Cast in Stone, continuing their association with dark arts. Lant also created the band's iconic logo and sleeve art for many of their singles and albums. He will be remembered as a fearless and uncompromising force in the world of heavy metal.",
  "summary": "The members of the pioneering black metal band announced their frontman's death on Thursday (Oct. 1).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}