Behemoth and Shagrath Debut Venom Cover as Tribute to Cronos
Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir's Shagrath played Venom's 'In League With Satan' live for the first time on October 9 in Zurich. The performance honored Venom frontman Cronos, who died at 63 less than a month earlier. Behemoth's studio version of the song, featuring Shagrath, appears on the album I, Scvlptor, and Nergal introduced it by calling Cronos the godfather of black metal.
On October 9 in Zurich, Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir’s Shagrath performed Venom’s “In League With Satan” together for the first time in concert. The live rendition followed the studio collaboration included on Behemoth’s latest album, I, Scvlptor, where Shagrath also appears.
Before the song, Behemoth’s Nergal addressed the crowd, honoring Cronos as a foundational figure for black metal. Cronos, whose real name was Conrad Lant, died less than a month before the Zurich show at age 63. He is remembered as a major influence whose work helped shape multiple heavy-metal subgenres.
This tribute may resonate most with metal fans, musicians, and older scenes tied to Venom's legacy. It could strengthen cross-generational attention to black metal's roots and encourage listeners to revisit Cronos's influence. The live collaboration may also boost interest in Behemoth's album and Shagrath's work, while giving mourners a communal way to process his death. Such moments can shape fan memory and scene identity, though broader cultural impact may remain niche.