Erik Wunder (Cobalt, Man’s Gin) has passed away

Erik Wunder, the creative force behind blackened sludge bands Cobalt and Man’s Gin, has reportedly passed away at the age of 42. While no official cause of death has been publicly confirmed, Metal Archives lists heart failure as the cause, stating that Wunder died on Thursday, July 31, 2025. This detail has yet to be formally verified. The news was shared publicly by fellow musicians Blake Judd (Nachtmystium) and Ken Sorceron (Abigail Williams), as well as Profound Lore Records, all of whom posted tributes to Wunder on social media:

Judd shared the following two statements:

“I’m absolutely devastated. Erik Wunder, rest easy brother. I am so grateful for our times together. We experienced the most amazing European tour I did out of all of them together….you rode in our bus, your alliance with Charlie Fell that became an incredible COBALT album in ‘Slow Forever’ (that I was given the opportunity torelease a tape version of in 2017)….I never in a million years thought I’d not ever get to see you again. Rest easy, brother. This one’s gonna sting for a long time….”

“More photos of my amazing 2010 tour experience with our dearly departed friend, @wundererik Erik was playing drums for legendary SWANS female vocalist Jarboe on her 2010 tour where she and Nachtmystium did a co-headlining run. We played all over the UK, Inferno and Roadburn Festivals in Norway and Holland, and did a slew of unforgettable eastern European shows in places like Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. To this day, my only time ever getting to visit and perform in such far away places I’d never in a million years thought my life would take me to. Erik rode in our bus for a majority of this tour. The formation of the Charlie Fell-fronted era of COBALT was formulated from this. What a difference spending a couple weeks living with a group of people you had never travelled with like that previously can do. Threw in the color version of our last ever picture together at the Richmond VA Cobalt gig too.”

Sorceron made his own post, reflecting:

“I got the sad news that Erik Wunder passed yesterday. He had a tragic last chapter but he was a good dude and a great songwriter. I was a fan of Cobalt and got to play guitar live for the band on their last tour back in 2017. My heart goes out to all of his friends that knew him well.”

Profound Lore Records made the following tribute shortly after:

““The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway REST IN POWER Erik Wunder of Cobalt/Man’s Gin… you goddamn outlaw. Wow, what a ride… Erik Wunder Profound Lore source of energy and fuel:

COBALT – Eater of Birds (2007)
COBALT – Landfill Breastmilk Beast EP (2008)
COBALT – Gin (2009)
COBALT – Slow Forever (2016)
MAN’S GIN – Smiling Dogs (2010)
MAN’S GIN – Rebellion Hymns (2013)
MAN’S GIN – The Reprobate (2024)”