Richard Brunelle, best known as the guitarist in metal band Morbid Angel, has died. He was 55 years old. The news was confirmed to Pitchfork by the band’s manager Gunter Ford. “Sadly Richard has passed and was a true friend and important person to all of us,” Ford said. Morbid Angel drummer Pete Sandoval also confirmed the news via Instagram. “RIP #richardbrunelle,” Sandoval wrote. “This is really sad! So many great memories we shared together that I’ll never forget, hope and wish you are in a better place.” Former Morbid Angel drummer and vocalist Mike Browning said on Facebook “I am beyond devastated and shocked about Richard Brunelle passing away on Monday…we have always managed to stay friends over all these years and he was always a friend to me…” Read Browning’s full statement below.
Richard Brunelle joined Morbid Angel in 1985, playing with group on their 1987 debut Abominations of Desolation through 1991’s Blessed Are the Sick. Brunelle left the group in 1992, but went on to perform with the heavy metal band Paths of Possession.