Mike Browning, the influential drummer and vocalist best known as a co-founder of Morbid Angel and for his work with Nocturnus, Nocturnus AD, After Death, Acheron, and several other bands, has died at the age of 62.
News of Browning’s passing was shared by Profound Lore Records, the label behind Nocturnus AD, which paid tribute to the pioneering death metal musician:
RIP death metal legend/sci-fi death metal godfather Mike Browning of Nocturnus/Nocturnus AD. Journey beyond the gateway to the outer void!
“Before Christ – I ruled the land
After Death – I will rule once again.”
Morbid Angel also honored their former bandmate on social media, writing:
R.I.P Mike, thanks for helping making all this happen.
Our condolences to his family & especially his daughter.
Browning was one of the earliest figures in the Florida death metal scene, helping establish Morbid Angel in the early 1980s before later founding Nocturnus, a band widely recognized for blending death metal with science fiction themes and keyboards in a way that helped shape the genre’s evolution. Over the decades, he remained active through projects including Nocturnus AD, After Death, and Acheron, leaving a lasting mark on extreme metal.
Our thoughts go out to Mike Browning’s family, friends, former bandmates, and fans around the world. Rest in peace.
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