CRONOS - The Black Heart of Venom | A Tribute to Conrad Lant (1963–2026)

On 1 October 2026, Venom announced the passing of Conrad "Cronos" Lant, the bassist, vocalist and co-founder of the band that changed the sound of heavy music forever. For all of us at Cult Metal Classics, this one hurts. We have been Venom fans since we were kids. We wore those records out, played them far too loud and dreamed about seeing that Hammersmith show. Cronos was one of our childhood music heroes, and reading the news of his death has left us truly heartbroken. This short documentary is our way of saying thank you. It follows Cronos from his childhood in London and Newcastle to his days as a trainee engineer at Impulse Studios, home of Neat Records. It tells the story of how Venom was born, and how Cronos, Mantas and Abaddon unleashed Welcome to Hell (1981) and Black Metal (1982), two records that lit the fuse for thrash, death and black metal. It revisits the explosive 1984 shows, including the legendary night at London's Hammersmith Odeon. Then it follows the decades that came after, right up to his final album with Venom, Into Oblivion (2026). Rest in peace, Cronos. The legend will never die. 🤘 CHAPTERS 0:00 Live at Hammersmith Odeon 0:22 Remembering Cronos 0:43 From London to Newcastle 1:04 Impulse Studios & Neat Records 1:24 The Birth of Venom 1:51 The Classic Three-Piece 2:13 In League with Satan 2:36 Welcome to Hell (1981) 2:59 Black Metal (1982) 3:20 The Seven Dates of Hell 3:39 Live at Hammersmith Odeon 4:07 At War with Satan, Possessed & the Split 4:33 After Venom 5:00 Legacy 5:25 In Memoriam 5:36 Cronos Live 5:58 Credits MUSIC (all tracks performed by Venom) At War with Satan (Intro / Preview) ℗ 1984 Neat Records Angel Dust (First Demo) rec. 1980, ℗ 2005 Sanctuary Records Raise the Dead (First Demo) rec. 1980, ℗ 2005 Sanctuary Records Sons of Satan ℗ 1981 Neat Records In League with Satan ℗ 1981 Neat Records Welcome to Hell ℗ 1981 Neat Records Black Metal (remix) ℗ 1982 Neat Records Die Hard ℗ 1983 Neat Records Bloodlust ℗ 1982 Neat Records In Nomine Satanas ℗ 1982 Neat Records Courtesy of MMV, ℗ 2005 Sanctuary Records Group FOOTAGE Venom: Live at Hammersmith Odeon – The 7th Date of Hell © 1985 Trilion Pictures Ltd PHOTOGRAPHS Jonas Rogowski, Lihi Lasslo, dr_zoidberg, JimmyGuano, Bob Castle, Edwardx (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA) Fin Costello / Redferns, Pete Cronin / Redferns Album artwork © Neat Records Saturn Devouring His Son by Francisco Goya This is a non-commercial fan tribute. All music, footage, photographs and artwork remain the property of their respective owners. Tell us in the comments: what was your first Venom record, and when did you first hear Cronos? 🖤 #Venom #Cronos #ConradLant #RIPCronos #BlackMetal #WelcomeToHell #NWOBHM #HeavyMetal #ExtremeMetal #MetalDocumentary #CultMetalClassics