Heavy-metal musicians were quick to react to the death of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, as news spread online in a manner all too familiar to a community still reeling from the recent deaths of legendary singer Ronnie James Dio and Type O Negative frontman Peter Steele.
"I'm so crushed to hear about the passing of Paul Gray," Shadows Fall singer Brian Fair told MTV News. "I had the pleasure of first getting to know him on a press trip to New York City before our tour with Slipknot and Lamb of God in 2005 and then sharing stages and good times with him and the boys around the world.
"He was a great musician, an underrated songwriter and a truly warm soul underneath the evil mask he rocked onstage," he continued. "This is a huge loss to the metal world. He will be missed deeply."
The boys in Nonpoint were on Ozzfest with Slipknot back in 2001, watching the Iowa band blow up as they relentlessly toured behind their 1999 eponymous debut.
"I am deeply saddened to hear and read about the death of Paul Gray," Nonpoint drummer Rob Rivera told MTV News. "Nonpoint had the pleasure of touring with Slipknot during the 2001 Ozzfest, and what we saw from Paul and the rest of Slipknot was a band that gave their all live and put their bodies on the line. To all in Slipknot and Paul's family, Nonpoint send all our love, condolences and prayers out to you. You will be missed by all your friends and fans around the world. Rest In Peace my metal brother."
Gray was found dead Monday (May 24) in a suburban Iowa hotel room. The cause of death has not been reported as of press time. The band's most recent studio album, All Hope Is Gone, was released in 2008. The album was mixed by legendary English metal producer Colin Richardson (Machine Head, Fear Factory), whose representative had this to say in a statement: "[Colin] is a true fan to the core and sends his love and condolences to everyone in Slipknot and their camp."
Another band Richardson has worked with, legendary thrashers Sepultura, took to the Internet. "RIP Paul Gray, we're shocked and very sad," current members Paulo Pinto Jr., Andreas Kisser, Derrick Green and Jean Dolabella said in a joint statement.
"This is another tragic loss for our metal community."
