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R.I.P. Jason McCash of The Gates of Slumber

To those who knew him, he was of course much more, but to the heavy underground, Jason McCash will be best remembered as the foundational low end resonating from The Gates of Slumber’s groundbreaking traditional doom. McCash, who left the trio late last year, reportedly died yesterday, April 5, from causes as yet unknown or unannounced.

McCash joined The Gates of Slumber in 2003, and his partnership with guitarist/vocalist Karl Simon proved pivotal to the band’s ultimate success. Hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, The Gates of Slumber became a vanguard of Midwestern trad doom. From the band’s 2004 debut, …The Awakening, to their 2011 final full-length, The Wretch, the partnership between McCash and Simon — as well as drummers Chuck Brown, J. Clyde Paradis and Bob Fouts — would develop into one of the most potent in the American underground, pulling in elements from epic classic metal on 2008’s Conqueror and 2009’s Hymns of Blood and Thunder.

The Wretch found The Gates of Slumber returning to a more doomed approach, effectively doing to Saint Vitus what Saint Vitus did to Black Sabbath, creating something original out of homage. Their final release, a Scion A/V-sponsored EP called Stormcrow, was issued last year and continued along similar lines. Already influential both in their native Midwest and beyond, The Gates of Slumber ended when McCash quit, and the members had begun to move forward on other projects. The door to a future reunion seemed open.

Karl Simon had this comment on McCash’s passing:

My best friend died last night. There will be no reunion – no more of TGoS. It’s dead beyond dead, and I’ve lost a brother.

Please be respectful or silent. It’s a small world and I’m still alive. Remember that shit.

On behalf of myself and this site, I offer condolences to Jason McCash’s friends and family. Even those who knew him casually, in bands, or who just appreciated his work know that his loss leaves a void in doom and in the lives of those close to him. His death, far too soon, is a reminder of the importance of community and support in dark times.

A fund has been set up for donations to help the McCash family with their finances in the wake of Jason’s passing. Contributions can be made here: http://www.gofundme.com/mccash-family-fund

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4 Responses to “R.I.P. Jason McCash of The Gates of Slumber”

  1. Lamprey says:

    This is such a damn shame. Mr. McCash had a formidable presence on stage, and I’m sure that was true in life as well.

    “Cattle die, kinsmen die, all men are mortal. Words of praise will never perish, nor a noble name.”
    – The Havamal

  2. Mike H says:

    …fuck…

  3. Mike H says:

    I’m sure there will be more than a few tributes to Jason at this years Roadburn Festival…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnTVGAm5liU

    A new message from a resorseful Karl on the TGoS FB page:

    “… Please understand, with regards to my post here from two nights back that I was in a bad place and had broken my sobriety – the “statement” had a definite dick head vibe that I don’t want in my life anymore, it’s not who I am or where I’m at. Please understand it came from a lot of hurt and booze. I’m sorry.

    With regards to any future for TGoS, there can’t be one now. And I’m very sad about this. I’d hoped we could iron out our differences and move on. Sadly that can’t come to pass now.

    Karl”

  4. Evilfanny says:

    https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1490184484537910

    True Templar of Doom – Benefit for the family of Jason McCash

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