One year removed from the passing of drummer Martin "Kiddie" Kearns, UK metal outfit Bolt Thrower have called it quits. The news was announced by the band today with a statement on their official website.
"We spent over 20 years together, touring the world, with 3 different vocalists, but he was so much more than just a drummer to us," they wrote. "So when we carried his coffin to his final resting place, the Bolt Thrower drummer position was buried with him. He was, and will now forever remain THE Bolt Thrower drummer, our Powerhouse and friend Martin 'Kiddie' Kearns."
Kearns joined the Coventry, UK death metal band in 1994 at the age of 17, which is how he got the nickname of "Kiddie." He exited the band in 1997, but made his return in 2000, playing with Bolt Thrower until his death.
Brooklyn Vegan reports that Bolt Thrower vocalist Karl Willetts will continue playing the band's material as part of his new band, Memoriam. The band's last album, Those Once Loyal, came in 2005.
"We spent over 20 years together, touring the world, with 3 different vocalists, but he was so much more than just a drummer to us," they wrote. "So when we carried his coffin to his final resting place, the Bolt Thrower drummer position was buried with him. He was, and will now forever remain THE Bolt Thrower drummer, our Powerhouse and friend Martin 'Kiddie' Kearns."
Kearns joined the Coventry, UK death metal band in 1994 at the age of 17, which is how he got the nickname of "Kiddie." He exited the band in 1997, but made his return in 2000, playing with Bolt Thrower until his death.
Brooklyn Vegan reports that Bolt Thrower vocalist Karl Willetts will continue playing the band's material as part of his new band, Memoriam. The band's last album, Those Once Loyal, came in 2005.