January 2020 will go down as a month of losing legendary drummers. With roughly three days left of the month, we lost four: Neil Peart (Rush), Santtu Lonka (To/Die/For), Reed Mullin (Corrosion of Conformity), and Sean Reinert (Cynic/Death). Unfortunately, there have been more losses, such as former Nile/Divine Heresy bassist Joseph Payne. The beginning of the new decade has been quite brutal for the metal community. No cause of death has been revealed on a few of these losses. There have been a few speculations concerning Reinert’s death. However, Reinert’s husband Tom and sister Patti shared additional details on his passing with the following statement:
“I’m broken. As many of you now know, my husband Sean passed away last night. Some of you in the inner circle I was able to reach via phone last night and this morning to try to let you know what happened before it spread across social media. For those I couldn’t reach to tell you myself I’m sorry.
I’m still trying to put together the events of the last 24 hours. After coming home from work last night I found Sean unresponsive on the floor, I administered CPR with the assistance of the 911 operator and he was taken to a local hospital via ambulance. There is no cause of death and an autopsy will be performed.
Sean and I just completed our yearly physicals about 3 weeks ago and we were both in good health. Sean did not have any sort of drug abuse issues and I’m still in a state of disbelief. I can’t begin to comprehend how my life and the lives of Sean’s close friends and family have just been shattered.
That’s about all I’d like to share at this point. It feels strange to even have to make this post over such a private matter but I understand Sean was a public figure and beloved by many around the world. For myself, Sean’s family and close friends I ask that you please give us time to grieve. The fans he adored so much lost an influence and phenomenal drummer. Some of us lost our Husband, Son, Brother, Uncle and Best Friend.
Thank You,
— Tom and Patti (Sean’s husband and Sean’s sister)”
Members of the metal community have paid tribute to the late Reinert including Cynic vocalist/guitarist Paul Masvidal and Death.
Masvidal shared the following via Instagram:
“I am shocked and saddened by the loss of one of my oldest friends. We were karmic brothers, connected by something beyond both of us. So many memories have been flooding my heart and mind. From the moment I first met Sean in junior high school, I knew we had a connection. His gifts were beyond measure, and I’m grateful that we were able to make music together. In the end, all that remains is love, and that’s what I have for Sean. There will never be another one like him. Peace to his family and all of his fans around the world. Listen to Sean play his drums and hear his heart sing.”
You can read tributes from Death, Cattle Decapitation, Overkill, Atheist, and more below:
We’re shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Cynic drummer Sean Reinert.
Sean was a mega-talent, a true giant in whose shadow many walk, and his prodigious skills, warmth, and wit will be sorely missed.
Rest easy, Sean.#SeanReinert pic.twitter.com/XhBpy7pMxc
— Season of Mist (@SeasonofMist) January 25, 2020
I’ll never forget seeing Cynic in 1994 in Des Moines IA on tour with Cannibal Corpse & Sinister, Joey Jordison and I were standing behind Sean Reinert’s drum kit for their whole set, with our jaws on the floor. Such a groundbreaking drummer. RIP Sean Reinert @DeathOfficial
— Richard Christy (@cwotd) January 25, 2020
@cattledecap sends our condolences to the family and friends of Sean Reinert, one of the most important drummers and game changers ever in metal. https://t.co/XzlZNukdVR
— Cattle Decapitation (@cattledecap) January 25, 2020
Absolutely shocked to hear of the passing of Sean Reinert. I watched him play every single night when Cynic supported DT in 2009 and was always in complete awe. He was an outstanding drummer and a really nice guy. Way too young to leave us…RIP my friend 😞 pic.twitter.com/kLmYorhcHo
— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) January 25, 2020
So sad to hear about Sean Reinert. Such great drummer and always nice to chat with. Rest in Power.
— Prosthetic Records (@ProstheticRcds) January 25, 2020
