Ministry Bassist Dies

Ministry bassist Paul Raven was found dead two days ago Saturday, October 20 in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border after suffering an apparent heart attack, according to Blabbermouth.net. Raven (who is also known for his work with Killing Joke and Prong) was in Geneva working with French recording artists Treponem Pal on their new release alongside drummer Ted Parsons (Prong) and members of The Young Gods.

Born in Wolverhampton, UK on January 16, 1961, Paul Vincent Raven established himself with his work in the seminal post-punk/industrial act Killing Joke after he replaced the band's original bassist in 1982, recording and touring with the group throughout its most commercially successful period, performing on "Fire Dances", "Night Time" and "Brighter than a Thousand Suns". Throughout his extensive career, Raven participated in other collaborations, including Prong, Murder, INC., Pigface and Godflesh.

Most recently, Raven was nominated for a 2006 Grammy for "Best Metal Performance" for his work with Ministry's Al Jourgensen, with whom he had begun collaborating in late 2005 on the Ministry release "Rio Grande Blood". After a 2006 world tour with the group, Raven helped Jourgensen and PRONG's Tommy Victor pen the latest Ministry CD, "The Last Sucker", which is also the band's final studio release.

States Jourgensen: "I am in total shock. The world of music is a sadder, emptier place. Not only was Raven an extraordinary talent, but one of my closest dearest friends. Our condolences and prayers go to his immediate family. He will be truly missed by artists, musicians and his fans the world over.

The one consolation is knowing Raven's already hooked up with the right people and started a new project in the After Life. God's speed, Raven. Rest In Peace, you fucking pirate."

Commented Killing Joke keyboardist Reza Udhin: "Paul was a very amazing man who I loved and trusted very much. He always had great ideas, ventures and always looked out for me as if I were a little brother to him.

"I was very fortunate to be in contact with him several times in his last week and I had great conversations with him, we laughed and joked, which was an integral part of his personality.

"We had so much more to do, especially with his own personal project Mob Research, which I know he was extremely excited about.

"I don't know what more to say, as this is such an unexpected happening for me, as we were only talking a short time ago. I can't believe he is gone.

"Paul will be greatly missed by music fans, friends and mostly his family; his bands will miss him terribly. He was a great man and a unique bass player who has died at such a tragically early age.

"Love to you, brother. I miss you."

A memorial dedicated to the Life and Art of Paul Raven can be found at thirteenthplanet.com.

Comments

[minimann]

sad sad news R.I.P raven

[Sapient]

Wow.
You will be missed, man.

[Chimpy101]

R.I.P.

[W.h.o.r.EGuitar]

That sux...liked his stuff w/ prong too... Ministry is coolio...

[cobhcsf4321]

i cant believe that man no way def R.I.P raven

[skippy_moogoose]

this totally bummed me out
R I P man
= [

[severed-metal]

That's terrible. R.I.P Raven

[Draken]

that sucks r.i.p.

[Skirvy]

R.I.P

[charvel_man]

That's terrible news. RIP

[j-boy199]

R.I.P

[False_God]

aw man thats dissapointing!

R.i.p

[evilmetalboy]

i have never listened to ministry much but it is still definitely terrible to hear that a remarkably talented person in the world of music has passed away. my heart goes out to his family (including his musical family). i felt the same way when dimebag was murdered.

[Lunartick]

RIP

Also, I want "Rest in Peace, you f*cking pirate" written on my tombstone when I die. That's pretty badass.

[IainDavies_2]

RIP man, never listened to ministry but RIP

[CyanideChris]

RIP

[C&C Magik]

don't know any of his music, but if your calling is music, then i respect you.

R.I.P.

[BlackMist]

A death like this is never a good one. R.I.P. man, my thoughts go to his family.

R.I.P.

[Jondy]

Never heard any of your music, but it's enough to know you contributed to the cause.

RIP brother

[z4twenny]

R.I.P. man. i watched you guys demolish the Ridgelea here in texas when ya'll were on tour for "Rio Grande blood" one of if not, the best shows i've ever witnessed. it stays in my memory, and in there, you are forever.

[742627000017]

Never heard but ill go with the flow r.i.p.

[headstone05]

He'll always be remembered.
R.I.P.

[terrencemaddox]

That's terrible. R.I.P

[samerika]

R.I.P

[euan_soad]

RIP!

[GNR's Fan]

R.I.P

What was cause of the heart attack anyone know ? Was it drug related or other causes ?

[ShredderOmega]

Never a big fan of Ministry, but the guy had talent, hope he went quick.
Requiescat in pace.

[RockDragon]

C&C Magik wrote:

don't know any of his music, but if your calling is music, then i respect you.

R.I.P.

My thoughts exactly.

[diablo_man]

RIP

does anyone know how old he was?

[ashesofthewake]

RIP you f*cking pirate...

[UndeadPunk]

R.I.P. to anyone who contributed to music

[Sly Taco]

RIP you f*cking pirate, might be the coolest thing ive ever heard period

[Mamono]

RIP thanks to him for years of great music and prayers go out to all his family and friends

[stephen_rettie]

dude my cousin was in ministry for a while, I didnt know they were so big

(Bill Reiflin)

[Gregoric]

RIP dude.

[dgme92]

R.I.P

[Godsmack311]

damn dude i ****in love ministry, R.I.P. paul, your well missed

stephen_rettie wrote:

dude my cousin was in ministry for a while, I didnt know they were so big

(Bill Reiflin)

liar. j/p

[Geordie Walker]

I only can say thank you for everthing...

[bah humbug]

i was just listening to Jesus Built my hotrod...

[HyperBoy2519]

didnt listen to Ministry, never got into them but its sad when someone dies.

RIP. Good luck to the family

[SoftParade1967]

I dont listen to too much of these guys. I like a few of there tunes. But this is sad.
R.I.P. Man.

[Dog454]

RIP Paul

[Guitar_Dan_666]

RIP!

[Darth_Qurashi]

Rest in peace.

[jahyarain]

damn, man. R.I.P. Ministry, Pigface, Killing Joke, Revolting Cocks...thank you, Paul, for enhancing my life.

[HH_Emo_666]

i never heard of him or listened to his music, but its terrible to hear this.

RI
P

[Jehuty]

RIP

[Metalhead118]

wow, i feel like OD'ing on depression medication. RIP Raven.
Damn...this sux big time. He was the whole reason i listen to industrial metal. Al and Raven...SHIT!!!
Now "The Last Sucker" is the end of three things:
1)Ministry
2)G W Bush
3)Raven

Raven's probably rockin with Dimebag right now...

[Taker43153]

I don't listen to Ministry, but as a fellow bassist...

R.I.P Raven

[_coiso_]

its always f***ed up when a musician dies.

And also as a fellow bassist...

RIP

[hammyguitarist9]

i never knew he was born so close to where i live!!!
lots of great musicians haev come from the black country (Wolverhampton and Surrounding area, UK), sad to hear one die

RIP

greatest respects

[Brian Sastre]

diablo_man wrote:

RIP

does anyone know how old he was?

Did you read the article? Do the math from 1961 to now man.

[Anarion614]

C&C Magik wrote:

don't know any of his music, but if your calling is music, then i respect you.

R.I.P.

Amen man.

[joejames007]

RIP man, I'm not familiar with his music but its always sad to hear a fellow muscician has passed away. Keep rocking heaven as hard as you rocked here.

[DeathForAll]

Wtf.

I hate it when good musicians die.


R.I.P. man...I'm sure he's up there playing with Dime.

\m/ >_< \m/

[rebreh]

How come only good musicians die, kurt, dimebag,jimmi,

[metal Lover]

Everyone's got to die sometime. I don't see what the big deal is. His was just a little too soon.

[OffspringPhreak]

Wow that really sucks, Ministry rules.

RIP dude \m/ \m/

Checked. R.I.P.

[thycrusader]

wow...poor guy, he still had more of his to live.

r.i.p.

[AnEvilWalrus]

R.I.P man...

[ready2breakdown]

r.i.p.

He was so in so many projects, this was such a big loss...

[spencerisyourki]

diablo_man :
RIP

does anyone know how old he was?

it says in the fricken thing that he was born in 1961....so do the math... he was 46 when he died

[drummerb]

I never heard ministry before, but that doesenr change that he deserves my respect

Rest In Peace brother.
Your in my prayers
x

[PurpleDinosaur]

Never listened to Ministry much, though that may change soon. From what I did hear it didn't sound bad at all.

As a fellow bassist, RIP (you ****ing pirate)

Alright, I gotta agree. That is the single most badass thing I've ever heard.

[BadgeMan]

aaaaaggggghhhhh no way! I love pigface and ministry :/

RIP man.

[tbarrettl]

I just discovered how Great Ministry is and
R.I.P.

RIP.

Checked.

[wemetaliens]

R.I.P.

[Monolith295]

I know nothing about Ministry, but this sucks...
R.I.P.

[Tedward]

Jondy wrote:

Never heard any of your music, but it's enough to know you contributed to the cause.

RIP brother

same RIP

half expected this article to be another "misleading titles ftw" article

[MegaRon]

That's too bad.

RIP Raven

[SchitzoJoe]

R.I.P. fellow musician.

Hate to see such an idol leave this world.

Rock hard in heaven, baby.

[AgentHappyDay]

not a real fan, but this sh** always sucks. RIP

[alucardmik]

i seriously was just cring. RIP

[zartists.net]

Man that sucks, Looks like Bush and his cronies have resorted to killing musicians that speak out against them.

ministry \m/ r.i.p

[korbhag]

And here comes another legendary band now that one of their members is dead (Nirvana, Pantera, Metallica, AC/DC, Led Zep, etc.)...

But still it sucks that he died that young, he still had tons of awesome stuff to show the world...

R.I.P.

[jimicrakcrn]

zartists.net wrote:

Man that sucks, Looks like Bush and his cronies have resorted to killing musicians that speak out against them.

ministry \m/ r.i.p

I sincerely hope to God you're joking?


Anyway, loved Ministry... he will definetly be missed

r.i.p. bro

[silent caution]

zartists.net wrote:

Man that sucks, Looks like Bush and his cronies have resorted to killing musicians that speak out against them.



dude shut up


r.i.p raven

ministry \m/ r.i.p

[Tummaenkeli]

Hehehe...

[invisiblekid123]

i've never heard much of ministry but it's always horrible to hear that someone of great talents passes away, R.I.P Raven, you will be missed

[ragnarqk]

Sad.... rest in peace, music man.

[Tummaenkeli]

Yeah, dude.

Rest in pieces.

So...a heart attack...

...looking at him, I'd guess either weight/diet or drug related.

[Dr.Tomahawk]

R.I.P man. I didn't know he was from Wolverhampton, im from there.

[Lil Macker]

Ummmmm....

Who's he?

But, to be respectful, RIP.

[dio_dude]

i h8 ministry, but r.i.p anyways

[SicSeb]

My condolances go out to his loves ones

Damn, what a shame.

R.I.P.

and Checked.

[Jaymz_515]

I'd never heard of the guy, nor of the music he contributed to, but I'd just like to say RIP man, it's always tragic when someone dies. My thoughts go out to him, and to those who were close to him.

[silentdob]

Damn... That sucks... Ever since I found out about them (from a friend) Ive liked them.

R.I.P. to another bassist.

[zartists.net]

sarcasm didn't come across too well i guess, only kidding. calm down

[Copius]

R.I.P. to a fellow follower of the four strings...

...you fxcking pirate.

[-blaze-]

Its depressing really when a fellow musician dies especially at their prime..

[BennyStruggle]

rip.

But he was hardly in his 'prime' he was nearly 50 years old and the bands he was in peaked over 15 years ago. He was a great musician but his peak was about 15 years ago.