November 1st, 2012 saw the tragic death of a
legend in the hardcore/metal scene, Suicide Silence front man, Mitch Lucker.
Suicide Silence are a deathcore band formed in 2002 and have
released 3 full length albums, their most recent being The Black Crown. Mitch Lucker was an iconic front man in the scene,
an inspiration and friend to many. Mitch was often recognised for his high
pitched screaming technique and the ‘Mitch Lucker Stomp’.
On November 1st, word got around through the use
of social networks that unfortunately Mitch had passed away due to injuries
sustained in a motorcycle crash. Mitch lost control of his 2013
Harley-Davidson, slamming into a light pole in Huntington Beach at around 9pm.
Suicide Silence released this statement on their Facebook page soon after.
"There's no easy way to say this. Mitch passed away earlier this morning from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident. This is completely devastating to all of us and we offer our deepest condolences to his family. He will be forever in our hearts. R.I.P Mitchell Adam Lucker. We love you, brother."
It
was devastating news to all Suicide Silence fans and even some who weren’t fans
of the band. Many of Mitch’s band mates and friends took to twitter to offer
their thoughts and prayers to his family, and bands such as Pierce The Veil and
Asking Alexandria dedicated songs and their performances to Mitch in their
shows the following nights.
Only
hours after his death, Mitch’s wife Jolie, along with his band mates and some
friends, decided to organise a candlelit vigil at the sight of Mitch’s death in
Huntington Beach. Family, friends and fans all showed up to pay their respects
to the front man and his family, placing flowers, candles, photos, artworks and
letters at the sight, along with sharing their fondest memories of Mitch with
each other.
Mitch
was not only a front man and husband, but was also a father; 5 year old Kenadee
Lucker, was Mitch’s daughter. Kenadee was also at the candlelit vigil, holding
her candle up as high as she could ‘so that daddy could see it’, telling
everyone “I’m not going to see daddy anymore, he’s in heaven.”
Suicide
Silence set up a memorial fund, in which all the proceeds go towards Kenadee
Lucker’s education fund. Photographer Adam Elmakias also teamed up with Suicide
Silence to sell some prints, one of Mitch and good friend Oli Sykes of Bring Me
The Horizon, and some of Mitch and Kenadee, again, all the proceeds going
towards Kenadee’s education.
(Photo credit to Adam Elmakias)
Most recently announced was ‘Ending is The Beginning’, a Mitch Lucker memorial show (21st of December at The Fox Theatre in Pomona). Different vocalists from deathcore/hardcore/metalcore bands will be joining Suicide Silence on stage to sing a Suicide Silence song each, in the place of Mitch.
Mitch
Lucker is still constantly in the thoughts and hearts of family, friends and
fans and will remain that way for a very long time. He was seen as an icon and
a legend in his scene and people will continuously aspire to be like the great
person that he was. He will never be forgotten.
Rest In Peace, Mitch Lucker.
