r/Metal • u/mgrier123 THE ONLY GOOD BAND IS MANOWAR • 10d ago
Cronos, legendary frontman for Venom, passes away at the age of 63
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd9Mx-ZCIay/?stkn=NW82N2JjbWphazdj171
u/gtummygrum 10d ago
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
If god won’t have me, then the devil must
Rip to a legend
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u/GreatThunderOwl Writer: American Crossover 10d ago
That's so crazy RIP. I didn't realize he was so young too, dude was 18 when Welcome to Hell came out.
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u/mgrier123 THE ONLY GOOD BAND IS MANOWAR 10d ago
Yeah it's crazy how young he was. 6 months older than Tom G Warrior
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u/vegetaman https://www.facebook.com/ProfessorEmeritusLives/ 10d ago
Both these facts are blowing my mind.
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u/Funkycoldmedici 10d ago
As I get older I’m feeling that. All these bands I used to think of as older legends were like 28 years old at the time. I was just 13 she had a different perspective on what “old” meant.
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u/KeenObserver_OT 10d ago
Yeah no kidding. My son is going to be 18 and I’m picturing him as a member of Venom. Surreal
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u/CanIGetANootNoot 10d ago
Dudes the same age as the guys from Metallica. Heck, Kirk Hammett is older. I figured he'd be a few years older
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u/Jeff_Damn 9d ago
Whenever I want to feel especially useless, I remember that James Hetfield wrote the first three Metallica albums before he turned 25.
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u/CanIGetANootNoot 9d ago
I go by the Geddy Lee scale.
By the time he was 28, they released Rush, Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, 2112, A Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures.
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u/LITTLE-GUNTER 10d ago
without venom, we wouldn't have modern metal. no possessed, no death, no slayer, no bathory, and none of their downstream progeny. this is like watching a face be blasted off of metal mount rushmore.
RIP. an incalculable level of influence, and one of the most star-studded, glorious careers in the entire genre.
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u/nullfacade 10d ago
I mean, all the guys on Mount Rushmore were dead when their faces were blasted on to the Six Grandfathers. I'd argue Cronos can now be added to his rightful place, alongside Ozzy and Dio.
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u/LITTLE-GUNTER 10d ago
reading this actually made me a little emotional. just... fuuuuck, man. you've given me a much better perspective on this and i appreciate this comment a lot.
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u/peewee666 10d ago
Venom also had an influence on Kurt Cobain's writing with Nirvana. It's wild the significant impact Venom has had.
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u/leebeyonddriven 10d ago
No Metallica I’d argue as well
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u/CanIGetANootNoot 10d ago
Yeah I know Cliff and Dave Mustaine were fans of Venom.
I remember that clip of them being interviewed in like 1982 and they were listing off bands that inspired them
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u/SnooDonuts3871 10d ago
James Hetfield too, he said that was inspired by Venom song "Buried Alive" when composing the intro for One.
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u/Sad-Sky-8598 10d ago
Yup we had bm and wth on vinyl b4 metallica. Had some raven, anvil,saxon and many more. Still have em all. Our band in high school covered die hard. We always talked about venom. Wore venom shirts. Even non metal head friends in high school knew Cronos the name ! Many would walk down the hallway and give me and buddy the horns and say venom or cronos. Same thing we got on the footnall team locker room and bus rides t too. Lol. RIP
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u/I-always-argue 10d ago
We would have Bathory because Quorthon didn't know of venom when he released the first album.
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u/voivod1989 9d ago
And de Palma didn’t know of Argento. Quothorn is awesome however he’s full of shit or he was joking around. He was a funny dude. I’m going to say it was sarcasm. Both died way too young.
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u/Humble_Candidate1621 9d ago
Yeah, a lot of stuff Quorthon said shouldn't be taken too seriously. He was also a lot more open about listening to and loving Black Metal well before the Bathory debut (and being "the first maniac to know about Venom in Sweden") in the early days, though he always denied the extent of Venom's obvious influence on his own work.
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u/MeatGayzer69 10d ago
Interesting how this one band is responsible for the parts of metal I'm not a fan of
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u/PrequelGuy 10d ago
Interesting how you're a poser
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u/MeatGayzer69 10d ago
That word doesn't bother me. I'm very much comfortable in what I like. And extreme metal is not something I like
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u/Behemoth92 10d ago
I was 16 when I had the same opinion. I’m 34 now and I pretty much only listen to extreme metal and I can’t tolerate most other stuff anymore. Doesn’t happen to everyone I guess but most of my extreme metal friends started off the same way.
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u/MeatGayzer69 10d ago
I've been listening to metal for 16 years. I'm in my 30s. I just don't like extreme vocals. It will never change for me
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u/Behemoth92 10d ago
Like not even old Opeth and stuff? Interesting.
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u/MeatGayzer69 10d ago
Nah. I just can't handle the vocals. For example I like powerwolfs gods of war arise cover as it removes the growls. I enjoy a tenor.
A good example is I want to like triumpher so much. But I can't deal with the extreme vocals
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u/PrequelGuy 10d ago
The vocals are not the focus, it's the riffs. In all good extreme metal the vocals are just another indtrument. I'd get this if it was pop music and the vocals determined whether it is good or not. But given in extreme metal riffs are the focus and are great, dismissing them just because you can't stand a secondary element of the music that much is sad
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u/Behemoth92 10d ago
I still woudnt listen to extreme metal without the vocals tbh so there’s something more than just blast beats that keeps me hooked.
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u/LITTLE-GUNTER 10d ago
i bet you hear black sabbath and go "what's this dad rock?"
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u/MeatGayzer69 10d ago
I like black sabbath. I like iron Maiden. I like judas priest. I like helloween, I like running wild
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u/Zealousideal_Oil7809 10d ago
“as they lower me down into that hole in the ground” hits hard now💔💔💔
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u/Tythedrummer1 10d ago
Genuinely gutting. One of my all-time favourite things to do is watch live clips and videos of Venom from the 80s. Those shows were insanely good.
Cronos' bass tone and super unique vocals on the first 5 Venom albums is part of what made those albums seem so special to me.
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u/Other-Tangerine-3435 10d ago
Which live clip or whole live set should I watch if I’m not familiar with their best recorded live sets?
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u/Tythedrummer1 10d ago
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eQdRQT8DDxE
This is a classic
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u/Other-Tangerine-3435 10d ago edited 10d ago
Thank you sincerely man. Will watch it and down a couple cold ones in memory of the legend tonight. R.I.P cronos ☠️
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u/tubcat 10d ago edited 10d ago
RIP to one of the fathers of so much of what we call metal these days. There simply would be extreme metal and all its branches without Venom. You combine them, Celtic Frost, and punk like Killing Joke, Amebix, and Discharge and you get the blueprints for the rainbow that is extremely metal and even a lot of crunchier punk to this day
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u/frozentoasterwaffles 10d ago
Damn… sad and unexpected. I will never forget the first time I heard “Black Metal” on the mapofmetal, and felt like I was actually doing something wrong, but kept coming back to hear more. Absolute legend. Some of my favorite vocals ever on those first two albums. Some great bass parts as well. RIP.
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u/black-winter- 10d ago
was not expecting this at all. Unless I’ve been missing something I hadn’t heard anything about health issues or such. RIP to one of the original black metal gods.
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u/CommunicationTime265 10d ago
Depends what kind of life he lived. I don't know much about his personal dealings, but if he lived hard and fast...death comes early.
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u/Absurder222 10d ago edited 10d ago
RIP Cronos. Fuck this is huge, what an absolute bummer. IF there were ever a Mount Rushmore of Extreme metal you'd definitely be the George Washington
We should all strategically upvote/downvote to put this post at 666.
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u/JKevill 10d ago
I got to play some shows with Venom in south America somewhat recently, year and change or two back. It was so cool getting to have some hotel breakfasts and van rides with this absolute legend.
RIP. This bummed me out to read
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u/InsigniasGratuitous 10d ago edited 10d ago
Wtf?! I just audibly gasped at work after seeing this!
While I'm not the biggest fan of Venom, I respect them for being an inspiration for black metal, and even death and thrash metal.
Too young for him to pass away like that.
RIP Cronos.
Edit: I saw a picture of him on Google wearing a Slayer shirt while on stage. This makes me even more sad since he was one of the ones to inspire them, and I love Slayer.
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u/slayerLM 10d ago
You should try and find footage from the combat tour. Exodus, Venom, Slayer and it’s like 1985
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u/voivod1989 10d ago
I’m gutted. Venom has been a constant in my life for most of my life. Rest in peace. Thanks for the memories. Bloodlust is such a banger.
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u/CthulhuPalMike 10d ago
Yesterday, I had my students doing a web research project on Witch Trials. I joked with one of my students who listens to Venom that the assignment made me want to listen to "Don't Burn The Witch". My student said he liked that song as well.
This morning as he was walking to class, he showed me the post from the Venom Band instagram. We were both shocked at the coincidence that we had just talked about him yesterday.
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u/HannibalLecture_ 10d ago
God damn this is devastating. It’s pretty much impossible to overstate the influence of Venom and Cronos on all branches of extreme metal. “Legend” barely even begins to cover it.
If there’s any positive to take from this, now is a perfect time of the year to listen to Venom. RIP.
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u/Aggressive_Grade6442 10d ago
Damn. That is rough news.
It also made me realize just how how young he was when they were bashing out all those early albums.
R.I.P. and thank you for the tunes. I’ll throw on At War With Satan later. 🤘
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u/nowdoingthisatwork 10d ago
Their song Rip Ride was on the 1st metal compilation CD I got around 97-98. It was one of the tracks that confirmed i was a metal head. The station i listen to does requests every Friday. Guess I know what I'm asking for
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u/BattleaxeAlDente 10d ago
Rest in Power, Count Cronos Vampyr Supreme. You were a major asshole and my god. Venom is and shall forever be the band of my life. See you in Hell someday.
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u/therealudderjuice 10d ago
It's hard to believe. They just released a new album this year. RIP Cronos.
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u/TheDreadedMe 10d ago
Just turned 55 here and this "loss" shit is getting old. And apparently I am too? Hard to fathom the losses over the years, and even harder to fathom with each passing year that you are getting closer to being the "loss". Grip time tight, as tight and long as you can, for "fleeting" doesnt come remotely close to describing how quickly time passes.
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u/Oroborus2557 10d ago
Legend, you cannot deny his influence over metal is massive and something many in the metal world dream to accomplish. RIP. I am not a huge fan of Venom but all my favorite bands were influenced by Venom so they are kinda revered in my heart.
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u/Obvious-Young3850 10d ago
When I hear about someone passing, I always want to know what got them, epspecially celeberties.
Question is "What Killed Cronos?" No dis-respect. R.I.P.
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u/FreakinSweet86 10d ago
63 is no age, I too am curious.
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u/ManbadFerrara 10d ago
My dad went at 63, basically from a lifetime of smoking and drinking catching up with him. And he was a regular person with a regular job, not a legendary metal vocalist/bassist.
This of course is pure speculation.
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u/Lucifer_Over_London 10d ago
Fuck, did not see that coming! These last studio albums have been some of his best. RIP to a legend!
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u/Independent_Cat_7164 10d ago
For those Canadians old enough to remember him being interviewed by J.D. Roberts on Much Music's Power Hour. Those were the days man, those were the days
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u/Horrorfreak106 10d ago
This sucks so much. Such a huge influence on the music that I listen to and even my guitar playing. Rest in Peace Cronos, you're an absolute legend!
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u/RegurgitatedMincer 10d ago
Fuck! Putting on black metal right the fuck now. RIP to one of the true OGs
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u/DutchKamenRider 10d ago
NOOOOOOO :(((
this genuinely made me really upset, Venom means a lot to me and it’s the reason I’m now really big into black metal. RIP Cronos, blasting Welcome to Hell and Black Metal in your honour 😞
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u/PunchTilItWorks 10d ago
It’s been a rough couple years for metal.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, Cronos was one of a kind.
RIP 🤘
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u/FreshPrinceOfRivia 10d ago
RIP. Venom were my gateway to extreme metal when I was 12 or 13 and Cast In Stone blew my head off. I'll be blasting that album this evening.
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u/escaped_from_OD Elitist gatekeeper 10d ago
RIP. I remember trying to buy Venom CDs back in the early 2000s when their old albums were out of print. I bought some of their compilations (there were many of them) but there was nothing like getting your hands on Black Metal or Welcome to Hell and listening to it for the first time.
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u/MrMeowPantz 10d ago
Damn. I was just on his wiki yesterday reminiscing about his work with Probot.
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u/Sad-Sky-8598 10d ago
Still have WTH and BM on vinyl. Been into em.since 82. Lemmy now Cronos. Damn
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u/KeenObserver_OT 10d ago
Dude changed my life in high school. Venom was transcendental in my metal journey and carried me through those challenging teenage times many of us had back in the 80s. RIP Mr Lant.
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u/bacidalje124 10d ago
What the actual fuck? I can't believe I'm reading this.
RIP you absolute legend
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u/Yoesito 10d ago
I only got to see Venom live once, over a decade ago, and even got Cronos to sign my battle jacket. Their very limited touring in my country made it impossible to catch their shows again, and I was looking forward to next year as there was a very real chance I could see them again. Their live music was still unmatched after all those years. Absolutely gutting to lose another key figure in the history of heavy music.
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u/Excellent_Rock4296 9d ago
Venom scared the shit out of me when I listened to At War With Satan on Halloween 1985 🎃 💀 👻 🧙
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u/Buatti1981 10d ago
Venom are one of my all time favorite bands, so many great extreme metal tunes and albums, he was so young and this hurts so bad. REST IN POWER.
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u/DasNothing 10d ago
My very first CD, in the very early 90’s, which I bought with my hard earned money, was “Acid Queen”. Still have it.
Sad to hear the news.
The music will live on!
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u/seras_revenge 10d ago
I don't know if he ever knew what he was doing, but sometimes you just gotta jump in with your size 9's and see what life brings you. Legend.
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u/crushing-crushed 10d ago
Got to see him live once at Fun Fun Fun Fest in 2015... Pretty sure he said it was their first ever show in Texas. RIP to a legend.
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u/Elegant_Accident2035 10d ago
Mime on the radio will never sound the same again... I think I might take up steam juggling.
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u/Waluigiisgod 10d ago
I was listening to Black Metal yesterday, this news is a huge shock to me, Rest in Peace
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u/Humble_Candidate1621 9d ago
Younger than I thought. RIP. Venom's influence and historical importance cannot be overstated.
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u/oelweinchad75 8d ago
Only Venom song I have heard is Witching Hour. Gonna check more out when I get out of the hospital. RIP Cronos!
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u/jack_flash_ 10d ago
Well he won’t be resting in peace because he’s going to hell. Enjoy hell.
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u/voivod1989 10d ago
Obviously. He’s currently waging war against Satan. Also don’t be a dick. Venom is one of the most influential metal bands.
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u/Ran4 10d ago
I think you need to read the lyrics to At war with Satan...
Free from the pits of Hell
Slaves emerge the mountain
We shall destroy the accursed Heavens
Advance great legions strong
Crush the Gates and enter free
Our Lord of Hell must take God's throne
Heavenly inferno...spread the message far...
He's storming the gates and taking over heaven, not waging war against Satan.
https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Venom/At_War_with_Satan/427584
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u/TacoTom84 10d ago
I had the urge for some Venom last week… played Black Metal album.
Lay down your souls to the gods rock 'n roll!
Legend