Former CELTIC FROST bassist Martin Eric Ain died yesterday (Saturday, October 21) after suffering a heart attack at the age of 50. His death was confirmed by Ain‘s close friend Jan Graber, who told Switzerland’s 20 Minuten that Martin “suddenly collapsed when he switched to a different tram.”
Graber was not aware of any serious health problems that Ain, who was born in the U.S.A., may have had. “He was somewhat overweight, clearly.”
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Still, Ain‘s death came as a complete surprise to Graber.
“We had lunch only two weeks ago,” he said. “He was as doing as well as ever.”
Norwegian bassist King Ov Hell (real name Tom Cato Visnes; GORGOROTH, GOD SEED, AUDREY HORNE) also commented on Ain‘s death. He said: “I just learned that my dear friend Martin Ain passed away at age 50. His work with CELTIC FROST and HELLHAMMER has been a huge inspiration for me and thousands of others. Rest in peace, my friend!”
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Meanwhile, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante remembered Ain on Twitter as “one of the nicest, intelligent and creative people I’ve ever known.”
Former CARCASS and current ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott tweeted: “One of the early purveyors of extreme musical darkness in metal has left us.”
PARADISE LOST singer Nick Holmes wrote: “Very sad to hear about Martin Ain. Another one gone too soon.”