VETERAN punk rock musician Casey Chaos has died aged 59 with tributes now pouring in.
Chaos, real name Karim Chmielnski, was the lead singer of the band Amen and also performed in black metal supergroup Scum.
The singer’s death was announced in a statement from Brian Perera, founder of his record label, Cleopatra Records.
In a post to Instagram, Perera said: “Casey wasn’t just an extraordinary musician—he truly lived and breathed the lifestyle.”
Perera added that Chaos had performed in front of Hollywood A-listers: “I had the privilege of working with Casey during his unforgettable live performance with Christian Death at the American Legion Hall back in 1993.
“Walking into the hall with my good friend Matt Green and my wife, Yvonne, was an experience I’ll never forget—especially seeing Nicolas Cage sitting front-row center, completely captivated.”
Chaos grew up in Melbourne, Florida, and was touring professionally as a skateboarder at age 10.
He was inspired him to begin making his own music at 17 when he was played a tape of Californian punk band Black Flag, NME reported.
Amen released four studio albums, their 1994 debut Slave, Amen in 1999, We Have Come for Your Parents in 2000 and Death Before Musick in 2004.
Friends and fans paid tribute to Chaos on social media.
Veteran drummer Roy Mayorga said: “Rest in peace – Casey Chaos!
“It was great to know you and to call you my friend. I will miss you always. There will never be another one like you … love you brother.”
Former MTV host Matt Pinfield wrote: “My heart has been heavy today because we lost one of my brothers and our friend Casey Chaos.
“Rest In Peace, my rock and roll brother.”
Guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite posted that he was “shocked” to hear of Chaos’ passing.
He said: “I know he was in a lot of pain over the years, he really threw himself around onstage back in the day..such a lovely bloke, we just hung out together 2 months ago.”
