Probably the saddest news you’ll hear in the metal world, this year. Martin Kearns, affectionately known as Kiddie to the band Bolt Thrower and its fans, passed away in his sleep on Monday night. Not much is clear as to what exactly caused his demise, but the band has released a statement:
“With the heaviest of hearts, and still numb from shock, we have to share the very sad news that on Monday, Bolt Thrower lost our powerhouse drummer, Martin ‘Kiddie’ Kearns. After the first rehearsal for our upcoming tour of Australia, Kiddie suddenly felt unwell which continued throughout the night, and the next day he passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was a fantastic dad, husband, son, friend, but to us he was always Kiddie, the same 17-year-old Coventry kid whose drumming style and personality blew us away when he first walked into our rehearsal room more than 20 years ago. Kiddie enriched our lives and the Bolt Thrower sound. He leaves a massive hole in the lives of everyone who knew him and will be very sorely missed by many.”
Bolt Thrower’s Australia tour has been cancelled and the band has indefinitely postponed the recording of the new album. In a statement reagarding the abum, this is what the band had to say:
“We have a lot of pride in our back catalogue, and we refuse to turn into one of the many bands (like the ones we grew up listening to) who end up releasing crap, and we’re also not prepared to compromise by instead releasing an album of cover versions or a ‘best-of’ album,”
Kiddie, aged just 38, was an inspiration to many and was one of the best drummers Death Metal had to offer. Rest in peace, brother.
