It is with the heaviest of hearts that Noisecreep reports that Eric Stevenson, drummer of cult fave band Only Living Witness, died on Monday, August 8th. Stevenson died after battling melanoma, which is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, for the past five months. Stevenson was 46-years-old and was the father of six-year-old son, Thomas. Those two facts make this news that much more tragic.

Only Living Witness were one of the most revered and critically lauded bands to come barreling out of Massachusetts in the 1990s. The combo would prove to be influential to the wave of modern metal bands that also came out of Massachusetts years later. Some of those acts include Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Unearth, to name a few. Stevenson founded Only Living Witness in 1989 along with singer Jonah Jenkins. The band released two studio albums on Century Media and broke up in 1995. They temporarily reunited in 2008 for four live appearances.

Noisecreep would like to send out our thoughts and prayers to Stevenson's family and friends, as well as to the extended Only Living Witness family and fanbase. Our thoughts are especially with little Thomas.

Watch 'Slug' from Only Living Witness

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