The singer of Texas thrash metal band, Riley Gale, has passed away at 34 years of age. The band was one of the most politically-charged metal bands in America.

Forming in 2008, they released two critically acclaimed albums, including 2013’s Manifest Decimation and 2017’s Nightmare Logic, and drew on musical themes from the hardcore punk world.

Gale was open about his distaste for Donald Trump, saying the current American president “certainly falls under what I would label as ‘the enemy to the common people’. I think that man violates human rights on a regular basis and I think he’s awful and I think he needs to be stopped.”

In a statement, Power Trip band members said:

"It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed away last night. Riley was a friend, a brother, a son. Riley was both a larger than life rock star and a humble and giving friend. He touched so many lives through his lyrics and through his huge heart. He treated everyone he met as a friend and he always took care of his friends. We will celebrate Riley’s life and never forget the great works of music, charity, and love that he left behind. You, the fans, meant so much to him, please know how special you are. If you have a memory of Riley please share it, no matter how small, as we remember him.

“I’m devastated… Still don’t know how… I’m speechless,” rapper Ice-T wrote on Twitter. Members of Slipknot, Machine Head, Anthrax and other bands also paid tribute, with Code Orange writing: “You made a huge dent in heavy music history that will last for ever.”

Rest In Peace Riley.
you made a huge dent in heavy music history that will last forever.
our deepest condolences to his friends, family and the guys in @powertriptx https://t.co/bIqlX49dfN

— Code Orange (@codeorangetoth) August 26, 2020