10 Heavy Metal Musicians Who Died in 2023, Listed
The year 2023 marked the loss of several revered figures in the metal music community, each leaving a distinct void in the genre’s rich tapestry.
Fans and fellow musicians alike felt the impact of these departures, reflecting on the legacies and contributions that have shaped the sound and culture of metal music.
1. Algy Ward
Algy Ward, the founding member and bassist of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) band Tank, passed away at the age of 63. He died in a hospital in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, on May 17, 2023, after battling serious health issues for some time.
Born Alasdair Mackie Ward, he began his music career in 1977 as the bassist for the Australian band The Saints, before joining The Damned, and eventually founding Tank in 1980.
Tank was a crucial part of the NWOBHM movement, with Ward’s contributions helping to shape the genre’s sound and direction.
2. Steve Riley
Steve Riley, the seasoned drummer renowned for his tenure with the rock bands W.A.S.P. and L.A. Guns, passed away at the age of 67. His family confirmed his death occurred on October 24, 2023, following a severe case of pneumonia, which he had been battling for several weeks.
Riley’s career spanned several decades, during which he made significant contributions to the heavy metal and hard rock scenes.
Notably, his drumming was integral to the sound and success of the bands with which he performed.
Riley’s family and colleagues have, thus far, offered limited details about his death, other than the cause was a severe case of pneumonia.
3. Charlie Dominici
Charlie Dominici was an American musician best known for his time as the original lead vocalist for the progressive metal band Dream Theater. His tenure with the band included their debut album, When Dream and Day Unite, released in 1989.
Prior to his involvement with Dream Theater, Dominici’s musical career included a notable release with Franke and the Knockouts titled Franke and the Knockouts in 1981. This album marked his entry into the mainstream music scene.
Although Dominici’s presence within Dream Theater was short-lived, his contribution laid the foundation for what would become a defining act in the genre of progressive metal.
4. Hiroshi ‘Heath’ Morie
The metal music scene lost a beloved figure in 2023 with the passing of Hiroshi ‘Heath’ Morie. Born on January 22, 1968, Heath was best recognized as the bass guitarist for the legendary rock band X Japan.
His tenure with the band began in August 1992, marking the start of a new era for the group, succeeding the previous bassist, Taiji, who had parted ways with the band earlier that year.
Before his affiliation with X Japan, Heath was involved in bands like Paranoia and Media Youth, showcasing his talent at an early stage.
5. Justin Bartlett
Justin Bartlett, also recognized by his artist alias VBERKVLT, contributed distinct and memorable artwork that graced the albums and merchandise of various metal bands.
Bartlett’s illustrations typically showcased a blending of the mystical and the macabre, deeply resonating within the metal community.
Bartlett’s life was cut tragically short following a fight with stage 4 colorectal cancer.
6. Michael “Majk Moti” Kupper
The metal community mourned the loss of a revered guitarist in 2023 with the passing of Michael “Majk Moti” Kupper. He was most recognized for his impactful contributions to the German heavy metal band, Running Wild.
Kupper’s tenure with Running Wild was marked by his distinctive guitar playing which helped to shape the band’s sound during the mid to late 80s.
Fans of the genre celebrated his skills on seminal Running Wild albums, contributing to the band’s status as an icon within the heavy metal scene.
7. Tim Aymar
Timothy Thomas Aymar, known professionally as Tim Aymar, made his mark in the heavy metal community as a versatile and powerful vocalist. He passed away in February 2023 at the age of 59.
Aymar’s tenure with the band Pharaoh stands as a testament to his talent, and fans of the genre often praise his work on the group’s meticulously crafted albums. His role didn’t stop there; he also collaborated with Control Denied, the progressive metal brainchild of the late Chuck Schuldiner.
This partnership allowed Tim to display a more dynamic aspect of his vocal ability, navigating complex arrangements with finesse.
8. Josua Madsen
Josua Madsen was formerly the drummer for the Danish thrash metal band Artillery. His tenure with the band lasted from 2012 to 2023. Madsen’s contributions to Artillery include playing on their last four albums and showcasing his dynamic skills behind the drum kit.
Tragically, Madsen’s life came to a sudden end at the age of 45. He was involved in a fatal accident when he was struck by a bus on a dark country road in Denmark. This incident occurred on his way back from a rehearsal with his new band; a journey he was making after alighting at Høje Taastrup Station.
9. Lee Rauch
Lee Rauch, an early member of the influential thrash metal band Megadeth, passed away on June 23, 2023. He was the first drummer for Megadeth, contributing to the band’s initial musical experiments. Rauch was born on September 10, 1964, and was a native of Toledo, Ohio. His death occurred in Lakeview, Ohio, at the age of 58.
Rauch was part of the burgeoning metal scene during the early 1980s. He played drums for Megadeth, founded by Dave Mustaine after his exit from Metallica. Rauch was involved with the band’s early work but was replaced before their debut album was released.
10. Jon Kennedy
Jon Kennedy was a member of the band Cradle of Filth, known for his skills as a bassist. In 2023, he met with a tragic end due to a car accident.
Kennedy’s death was a significant loss to the metal community. He is remembered for his contributions to Cradle of Filth’s dark and enigmatic sound.
