Just a few hours after performing at the ProgPower Europe festival in the Dutch municipality of Baarlo, Sole Remedy guitarist Mikko Laine was killed in a traffic accident this past Sunday (October 2). According to the Sjiwa youth center (where the concert took place), Laine was sleeping next to a fence when a truck filled with the festival’s backline, instruments and other equipment drove backwards and accidently ran over him at around 1:30 am. Laine, only 30 years old, was killed instantly.
Sole Remedy confirmed the tragic news with the following brief statement:
“Rest in peace Mikko 1981-2011. Mikko has died in a terrible accident while on tour at Netherlands.”
The ProgPower Europe festival released the following statement via their website:
“As a result of a disastrous accident, guitarist Mikko Laine from Finland or Sole Remedy, died a couple of hours after ProgPower Europe ended. Because we are all in a shock, we have decided to close down the site for a while. If you want to get in touch with us, please send an email to Rene Jansen, rene@progpower.eu . The site will go back online as soon as we are ready for this.
We have re-opened the forum again because we realize that you all want to share your feelings with eachother. So join us back at the PP Europe forum.
In memory of Mikko Laine, soon we will organize an evening at the basement of Sjiwa to say a final goodbye. We will discuss the exact details for this evening with the band, as soon as we know when this evening will happen we will let you know.”
The Finnish prog metal group have released two albums since forming in the late 90’s, including 2007’s The Wounded Ones and 2010’s Apoptosis. Prior to their festival appearance, Soul Remedy were said to be working on a new album that would come out in 2012. Our condolences go out to Laine’s family, friends and band mates.
[via Noisecreep and Brave Words]
