We are saddened to report on the passing of Casey Chaos. Cleopatra Records confirmed the passing of the influential punk and metal performer recognized for his dynamic stage presence and individuality earlier this afternoon (21st).
Chaos, born Karim Chmielnski in Trenton, NY, and raised in Melbourne, FL, drew early inspiration from punk legends Black Flag. He launched his musical career with the band Casey & The Skatepunx, later renamed Disorderly Conduct, making waves on Florida’s punk scene. Relocating to Los Angeles in 1990, Chaos formed the band Amen and collaborated with former Christian Death guitarist Rikk Agnew. Our thoughts go out with Chaos’ family and friends during this difficult time.
Label head Brian Perera comments:
“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.
Touring with Slipknot, Coal Chamber and others, Amen were a key figure on the late 1990s metal scene, winning acclaim for the albums Amen, We Have Come For Your Parents and Death Before Musick; subsequent projects include Headband, Scars on Broadway and Scum, while a fourth Amen album was seldom far from Chaos’s mind.
Casey wasn’t just an extraordinary musician,” Perera continues. “He truly lived and breathed the lifestyle.
May he rest in peace alongside Rozz Williams and the many tortured souls we admire and respect.”
