Source: Loudwire
One of death metal’s most legendary acts has come to an end. One year after the death of drummer Martin ‘Kiddie’ Kearns,Bolt Thrower have revealed they will not continue on without Kearns behind the throne.
On Sept. 14, 2015, Kearns passed away from an undisclosed ailment. An official statement informed fans Kiddie had been feeling unwell the previous day and passed away 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 20+ years ago,” Bolt Thrower wrote. “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.”
Today (Sept. 14, 2016) Bolt Thrower posted a new memorial to mourn one year without their beloved drummer.
Along with the words, “Second to None,” Bolt Thrower share:
“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