Legendary heavy metal bassist Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL) has released the following statement regarding the passing of TYPE O NEGATIVE frontman Peter Steele:
"I was so saddened to hear of Pete Steele passing away. He truly was one of the nicest blokes I've ever met. He came to the first G//Z/R gig, in New York, showing his support for us.
"I last saw him in Copenhagen, on the HEAVEN & HELL tour, where he interviewed me for a bassist-to-bassist piece. We had lots of fun talking together.
"I always maintained that the best SABBATH cover was TYPE O's version of 'Black Sabbath' on the 'Nativity In Black' album.
"I always looked forward to hearing what he'd come out with — he was always surprising, musically, and such a very special person.
"One of the truly great ones has now left the stage.
"R.I. P., Pete — Bog Blast yea."
BLACK SABBATH Drummer On PETER STEELE: 'His Passing Is An Enormous Loss To The Metal Community' - Apr. 16, 2010
BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has released the following statement regarding the passing of TYPE O NEGATIVE frontman Peter Steele:
"The flamboyant ambassador of metal's substratum is dead.
"I am diverted from my next indicated thing to do. I am compelled to pause and digress and re-listen to one of my all-time favorite bands, TYPE O NEGATIVE. I fall into memorable moments, to enhance my first discoveries of Peter Steele.
"I don't want to believe he's died. I've felt in shock since the early morning sad news of today arrived.
"Peter Steele — a brilliant musician, songwriter, singer has died. His death is a tragedy and heartbreaking. His passing is an enormous loss to the metal community and to music, period.
"In music, he challenged life itself in a poetic, prophetic, charismatic and extraordinarily insightful way. A world observer, a teller of tales, a renaissance man, a man from the future, a powerful force in today's maladies and life challenges.
"This man will not be forgotten. I raise my goblet of water and praise him. I thank him, and I burn candles and desire incense aromas to fill our house, now illuminated in his honour. Candles burning outside flicker, and the sea crashes onto the shore. We are still. We are in memory.
"Peter, you will be celebrated forever."