9/16/16 UPDATE – It’s official. Bolt Thrower have come to an end. Given their in-depth legacy, these legends will surely be missed. Frontman Karl Willetts had the following to say after being contacted by Metal Hammer.
“Yes, I can confirm that Bolt Thrower are definitely over for good. There will be no reunion tours etc… no compromise.”
ORIGINAL STORY – Exactly a year ago, our community witnessed a dark day – the passing of Bolt Thrower drummer Martin Kearns, also known as Kiddie. The Death Metal legends have largely been silent following that point until today when they issued the following update about the band and Kiddie. In this, they say that the man Martin Kearns “will now forever remain THE Bolt Thrower drummer”, insinuating that Bolt Thrower may very well be done for good. If that’s the case, all parties involved will certainly be missed just as surely as Kiddie is. Here is the official statement from the band:
On behalf of ourselves and Kiddie’s family, we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and support over the last 12 months. Together with Kiddie’s family we made the conscious decision to keep his unexpected death a private matter, and to take time out to deal with it all.
When Kiddie joined us back in 1994, although he was only 17, he instantly improved Bolt Thrower as a live band, and no one was more loyal to, and prouder to be in Bolt Thrower than him.
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. 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.
As for the rest of us, Bolt Thrower has been our way of life for 30 years, never driven by money, fame or ego, but by our own personal principles and values that have guided us through life, and which bonded us as friends long before Bolt Thrower was even formed…
“We are not now that strength which in old days
moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
– Tennyson – 1833
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