Bolt Thrower Drummer Martin “Kiddie” Kearns Dead at Age 38

Terrible news: this past Monday, September 14, Bolt Thrower drummer Martin “Kiddie” Kearns passed away unexpectedly. He was only thirty-eight years old.

Says a statement from the band:

“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.”

The band was supposed to tour Australia for the first time since 1993 at the end of this month; those plans have obviously now been scrapped.

Our thoughts are with Kearns’ family and friends during this difficult time.

Make sure you blast some Kearns-era Bolt Thrower today in the man’s honor.

[via Metal Hammer]