Former Baroness drummer Allen Blickle has died

Former Baroness drummer Allen Blickle has reportedly passed away at the age of 42. Blickle was part of the group’s original Savannah, GA progressive metal lineup, joining in 2003. It was shortly after the band’s horrific 2012 European bus accident, which left Blickle and other members hospitalized, that he, along with most of the lineup, exited the group in 2013. This marked a turning point for Baroness, who essentially rebuilt the band for a new era from that point forward.

Blickle also worked with projects Romantic Dividends, A Place to Bury Strangers, and launched an electronic project, Alpaca, not long after leaving Baroness. Later, Blickle went into sound design and music composition. No details surrounding his death have been publicly revealed at this time; the news is currently reported through Metal Archives and confirmed on Sunday (7th) by Kylesa’s Laura Pleasants via an Instagram tribute, stating the following:

“Dear Allen… I was so heartbroken when talking w Joe and Summer the other day; finding out how the past month was. I am just gutted, dude. We all thought you had this thing beat. Fuck, we were supposed to hang out when i got back from tour I feel so lucky to have reconnected with you after moving to LA a few years ago. Spending time w you out here, playing music, going to shows, hanging at a pool party, rocking the Hell out to FEAR… getting to know you on a deeper lever was a real privilege. You were a REAL one! So talented, so rad.
Gone too soon my friend. I’m glad you are at peace and no longer in pain.
Much love to you.
RIP Allen Blickle ♥️ @ill.pickles”

Baroness have yet to issue a statement. Blickle’s work with the band spanned their formative releases, including the First (2004) and Second (2005) EPs, as well as full-length albums Red Album (2007), Blue Record (2009), and Yellow & Green (2012). Our thoughts are with Allen Blickle’s family, friends, and former bandmates during this difficult time.