Rising Metalcore Band Announces Unexpected Death of Young Bassist: “The World Is a Darker Place Without Him”

Upstart metalcore band 156/Silence has confirmed the untimely death of bassist Lukas Booker. He was just 29 years old.

In a March 28 social media post, Booker’s bandmates announced that he had died the previous afternoon (March 27.)

“Anyone that knew Lukas knew how kind, selfless, and genuine he was,” the caption read. “He would watch every band, mosh before our set, and still had enough energy to put it all out there on stage. No matter where he was he was just happy to be there. He lived for music and his smile was infectious. In many ways he was the heart of 156, and the world is a darker place without him. His light will be immensely and immeasurably missed.”

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Lukas Booker’s Family Is Accepting Donations

While no cause of death has been formally announced, Lukas Booker’s aunt, Cochelle Wilson McCloud, called Booker’s passing “a heartbreaking reminder of how serious asthma is” in a Facebook post shared by his sister Courtney.

Booker’s older sister, Brittany Patrick, has established a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. On the GoFundMe page, Patrick wrote that her brother “passed away suddenly” and did not have life insurance.

Fans expressed sympathy in the comments section. “He was a beautiful soul through and through, always a joy and a pleasure to be around,” one Instagram user wrote. “‘Energy’ is the operative word here, it was so palpable whenever I watched him on stage.” 

[RELATED: Metalcore Band Goes on Hiatus After Vocalist Admits to Faking Cancer Diagnosis]

Metalcore Band Will Proceed With Shows in Honor of Late Bassist

156/Silence is set to kick off a North American tour on April 17 at House of Rock in Corpus Christi, Texas. Members of the metalcore band have confirmed that they will continue with all scheduled performances in Booker’s honor.

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“We love you so much Lukas,” the caption concluded. “You were supposed to be here for the whole ride, buddy. We were supposed to conquer the world together. We’ll see you soon brother.”

According to his obituary, Lukas Booker taught himself to play guitar at just 12 years old. He played in several bands over the years (Forget What They Say, Nullity) until “finding his forever home” with 156/Silence.

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania outfit released their fourth studio album, People Watching, last September. Six years earlier, Kerrang named 156/Silence one of six underground metalcore bands to watch, calling them “an unhinged force to be reckoned with.”

In addition to his role in 156/Silence, Booker fronted the Pennsylvania stoner doom trio Dablab, releasing The Dablab Experience EP last year. Metal Insider reported that Dablab had a performance scheduled in Pittsburgh on the day of Booker’s death.

Featured photo via Instagram