R.I.P. – METAL CHURCH Singer MIKE HOWE is Dead at 55!

Crappy news to report tonight as Metal Church frontman Mike Howe has passed away at 55! The news was reported today by the band on social media.

At this point, no cause of death has been determined.

The band wrote: “It is with our deepest regrets that we must announce the passing of our brother, our friend and true legend of heavy metal music. Mike Howe passed away this morning at his home in Eureka, California. We are devastated and at a loss for words. Please respect our privacy and the Howe family’s privacy during this most difficult time.”

Howe joined Metal Church in 1988 and stayed until 1996. During his tenure with the band, he sang on three albums, Blessing in Disguise (1989), The Human Factor (1991), and Hanging in the Balance (1993). In 1996, the band split up and Howe moved on.

In 2015, Howe rejoined the band at the behest of band founder Kurdt Vanderhoof. Howe has stayed in the band to this day. During his second stint, he sang on XI (2016), Classic Live (2017), Damned If You Do (2018), and From the Vault (2020).

Horror Patch offers our sincerest condolences to Mike Howe’s family and friends during this difficult time.