Wow.

I just heard that Peter Steele (y’know, from Type O Negative) just died at the age of 48. Supposedly due to heart failure.

Wow. I’m stunned. Big loss for the metal music world.

The “y’know, of Type O Negative”. Back in my college radio days I had a promo done by Peter. “Hi, this is Peter Steele, you know… from Type O Negative… and I died listening to WXJM.”  So, that’s what the above somewhat references.

Man.

I remember an old high school friend of mine went to visit some family one summer and came back with a mixed tape of music. There was this one song on there that we thought was awesome but had no idea who it was. After a lot of digging around we found out it was the band Carnivore. My exposure to Peter Steele had begun.

Then in the college radio time, I was talking with the rep at Roadrunner Records, who knew I was a Carnivore fan. He told me about Peter’s new project, then known as Repulsion (then Sub-Zero) but that name was probably going to change due to another band already with the name. The rep sent me a tape of the demos (that became Type O’s debut album) and I loved it. That first album from Type O Negative was awesome.

Carnivore was silly (tho fun). Type O was unique, heavy, artsy, moody, and poked a lot of fun at things. And Peter himself… an interesting man. I always enjoyed listening to him, especially as he battled his own issues in life and how he changed and evolved, especially made manifest on the last album. And I must admit… I really loved Peter’s voice, especially when he did his softer stuff, like “Nettie”.

We’ll miss you, Pete.

Updated: Official statements from Peter’s family and bandmates.