Beloved Drummer Dies Suddenly At 42

Baroness drummer Allen Blickle has died at a heartbreakingly young age of 42, his bandmates announced on social media Monday.

Blicke’s passing came just “a few days ago,” his fellow musicians confirmed without elaborating on the cause of death.

“It breaks my heart to have to share the news that my dear friend, creative partner and former bandmate Allen Blickle passed away a few days ago,” frontman John Baizley stated in the note.

“I’m still in shock that he’s gone. We ask for understanding as his family and this band process his passing and grieve his loss. Allen, I love you and miss you.

“I treasure every moment we shared.”

Sludge metal singer Laura Pleasants of Kylesa told her Instagram followers that her friend Blickle is “no longer in pain.”

“Dear Allen… I was so heartbroken when talking w Joe and Summer the other day; finding out how the past month was. I am just gutted, dude,” she wrote.

“We all thought you had this thing beat. F**k, we were supposed to hang out when i got back from tour. I feel so lucky to have reconnected with you after moving to LA a few years ago.

“Spending time w you out here, playing music, going to shows, hanging at a pool party, rocking the Hell out to FEAR… getting to know you on a deeper lever was a real privilege. You were a REAL one! So talented, so rad.

“Gone too soon my friend. I’m glad you are at peace and no longer in pain. Much love to you. RIP Allen Blickle.”

Allen formed Baroness in 2003, joining frontman John Dyer Baizley, bassist Summer Welch, and guitarist Tim Loose in a partnership that redefined the alternative edges of modern heavy metal.

Early iterations of the band experienced frequent turnover. Loose left later that year, to be replaced by Blickle’s brother Brian, who was later replaced by Pete Adams in 2008.

Blicke was featured on Baroness’ first three studio albums, Red, Blue, and Yellow & Green.

He was among the band’s riders during a horrific bus crash in 2012 when the vehicle plunged 30 feet off the road into a viaduct.

Blickle and then-bassist Matt Maggioni both suffered fractured vertebrae from the fall, and both left Baroness later that year.

Fans flooded the band’s social media pages to share their grief about Blickle’s passing.

“One of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Rest in Peace. No one will play disco beats over metal like you did. Tragedy,” one wrote, the Daily Mail reported.

“His drumming in the first Baroness recordings is one of my favorite elements of the band, he had an energy dificult to explain, was unique, I also loved his Alpaca project, rest in peace,” said another.

“Unreal. Rest in peace to another legend gone too soon.”