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Power Trip Frontman Riley Gale Dies Aged 34

Riley Gale, vocalist with Dallas thrash metallers Power Trip, has passed away at the age of 34.

Power Trip Frontman Riley Gale Dies Aged 34
Photo:
Ethan Fixell

Riley Gale has died at the age of 34.

The news of the Power Trip frontman's devastating passing was confirmed in a joint statement on social media, with no cause of death yet revealed.

“It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed away last night,” reads the statement. “Riley was a friend, a brother, a son. Riley was both a larger than life rock star and a humble and giving friend. He touched so many lives through his lyrics and through his huge heart. He treated everyone he met as a friend and he always took care of his friends.

“We will celebrate Riley’s life and never forget the great works of music, charity, and love that he left behind. You, the fans, meant so much to him, please know how special you are. If you have a memory of Riley please share it, no matter how small, as we remember him.”

Tributes have already started pouring in for the incredible frontman – read a collection of them below:

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The last time I saw Riley was in Brooklyn last November. Touche was on tour and was playing a one off thing so we were in town early, and like any other day I took a walk to find a record store to kill time. I turned the corner and right in front of me was Riley ending a phone call in front of a venue called Elsewhere. Power Trip was on tour with High on Fire and playing a half mile away from our show. If I had to make a list of “best feelings on tour”, these serendipitous moments would be in the top 2. Seeing friends from far away in unexpected places. From 20 feet away we locked eyes and gave the “fuck are YOU doing here!?” look before excitedly embracing. We caught up for a while and I realized our thing was gonna end early so I could make it in time for his set. This footage was from that night. Riley will go down as one of the most lovable and engaging metal vocalists in the history of the genre. Great speeches, amazing energy, and someone you could tell was as sincere as they come. It just so happens that we’d been talking kind of a lot recently. About new albums and music in general. Just last week we were reminiscing about hot rod circuit, ozma, and piebald of all things. I don’t really know how to wrap this up, tbh i just keep adding more and editing it cuz the idea of posting it makes things feel permanent. So instead of talking about him in past tense, I wanna talk about something that power trip was able to do. Metal heads can sniff out a hardcore kid in a second. Over the years and years countless hardcore kids have started metal bands, got signed to metal labels, toured with metal bands, etc... and it never worked. They only ever appealed to their hardcore kid base. The metal community has a nose for it. Power Trip was the first band I’ve ever seen born from the HC community to completely win over a metal audience. I saw them support Cannibal Corpse at the observatory in OC. I remember Riley asking the audience who knew their band and the response was small. By the end of that set the entire place, and I mean ENTIRE place was banging their head. I felt proud watching it happen. I loved Riley a lot. He was a friend to all.#riprileygale

A post shared by Jeremy Bolm (@jeremyxbolm) on

Kerrang!'s thoughts are with Riley's family, friends, bandmates and all who knew him at this tragic time.

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