After nine years fronting one of the archetypal Thrash Metal outfits VENOM mainman Conrad Lant (a.k.a. Cronos) left the group in 1988 to form CRONOS, the result of the disappointing sales of 1987's 'Calm Before The Storm' album. Conrad took both VENOM guitarists Mike H. (real name Mike Hickey) and Jimi C. (Jim Clare previously with HELLFIRE) along with him and soon added drummer Chris P. (at this point the band's musicians were known only by the initial letters of their surnames). Scheduled tours of America and Japan were postponed in late 1989 when Cronos sustained a broken hand in a car accident. The band later toured the east coast of America, but after the release of the 1990 'Dancing In The Fire' debut album live activity became limited.

CRONOS was due to tour Britain on a double bill with WARFARE on the so dubbed 'Dancing With The Firehammers' tour, but this was cancelled due to an acknowledged lack of interest. The band did, however, support MASSACRE at London's Marquee in 1992, by which time a second album, 'Rock n' Roll Disease', had appeared the previous year.

Lant guested on the 1994 album 'When War Begins... Truth Disappears' from German act WARPATH. Hickey emerged as temporary member of CATHEDRAL and then as live guitarist for CARCASS during 1994 touring to promote their 'Heartwork' album.

A third album was recorded during 1994, but Cronos decided - somewhat inevitably - to participate in the reformation of the original VENOM line-up in 1995 that headlined the Waldrock festival.

A new CRONOS recorded the 1995 'Venom' album with a brand new membership that comprised Cronos, Hickey and ex CATHEDRAL drummer Mark Wharton. The album oddly featured re-works of classic VENOM songs.

As VENOM geared up for their reformation album 'Cast In Stone' and subsequent touring CRONOS was inevitably put on the back burner despite sessions for a planned fourth album titled 'Triumphirate' already being in the can.

Cronos would contribute vocal tracks for the PROBOT project album of FOO FIGHTERS man Dave Grohl in 2001. During the summer of 2002 former VENOM and CRONOS guitarist Jim Clare united with TYGERS OF PAN TANG drummer Craig Ellis and bass player Willie Angus in a new band project entitled PASSION PLAY.

Cronos acted as special guest on the 2005 HAMMERFALL album ''Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken'.