Members Of Dethklok, Black Label Society, And Dangerous Toys Remember Meldrum Guitarist Michelle Meldrum

By JonathanBarkan on December 4, 2012@JonathanBarkan

Meldrum has released their latest album Lifer today, which you can pick up on iTunes. The album pays tribute to late guitarist Michelle Meldrum, who passed away at the age of 39 in 2008. Members of Dethklok, Black Label Society, and Dangerous Toys have each released statements remembering Michelle and commenting on Lifer.

Dethklok drummer Gene Hoglan (who recorded drums for Lifer) states, “Let me say this: Never have I obsessed over the recording of any album I’ve been involved in as I have with Meldrum’s latest. The tragic circumstances that took Michelle from us also provided us with a raser-sharp focus to record the most amazing album we could. Michele Madden, Laura Christine, and hell, even Rob Shallcross, our engineer, put forth performances of a lifetime, with each member’s full love and respect going into every nuance of every song. Not only to honor Michelle, but to also lay down some bad-ass music, which was ultimately what she stood for what MELDRUM stands for. I think the songs speak for themselves, and I, for one, have never been prouder to be a part of a family, let alone a project such as this. Metal with balls. Crank it up, indeed.”

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Dethklok‘s Gene Hoglan states, “It was and still is an honor to know Michelle and it is indeed with great pride that we release Lifer. I know she’s watching over us and smiling along with us at this wonderful day. I know I’m a better person for knowing Michelle, and I know she feels all of our love for her, as we feel hers for us. Through tragedy may we find joy, and through Lifer and all her other works, may Michelle find immortality. She’ll always be immortal to us. Remember, this is meant to be cranked up.”

Black Label Society’s James LoMenzo adds, “Michelle had the amazing ability to conjure almost any guitar style, from her earlier “Steve Vai” styled dexterity to the out and out muscular style that she later carried through with her own band Meldrum. A fine guitarist in the 80’s/90’s virtuoso tradition and one of the finest people you could ever come to know.”

Black Label Society’s John Deservio states, “First off I want to say how much I miss Michelle. She was a beautiful person inside and out and I am blessed to have known her. I miss you and love you Mich, R.I.P. baby.”

Dangerous Toys/Watchtower/Broken Teeth’s Jason McMaster adds, “Proud to call her a friend. Michelle Meldrum was and will always be one of my favorite and most inspiring guitarists and real people I’ve ever known. The world misses her.”