Metallica XXX Blog

Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich has released a statement to Blabbermouth.net regarding the passing of influential heavy metal journalist Bob Muldowney, who died Monday, November 5 after a long battle with cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). Bob was 44 years old.

“Bob was one of the early believers in the cause, the metal cause that we all championed and that we all were inspired by. Later, we were fortunate enough that Bob also became a believer in the ‘TALLICA cause and we in return were inspired by his belief in us and his championing our cause. Bob will be missed…”

Muldowney was best known for his fanzine/magazine Kick*Ass which helped expose, support and feature such bands as RAVEN, MOTÖRHEAD, VENOM, THE RODS, TANK, EXCITER and RIOT as well as burgeoning underground thrash scene, giving, in some instances, the first coverage to SLAYER, MEGADETH, MEDIEVAL, OVERKILL, and ANTHRAX. It was Bob’s love of true, honest metal, which drove him to deliver a demo tape of a then-unknown California band called METALLICA into the hands of then-Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven store owner (and future Megaforce Records head honcho) Jonny Z — who was advertising with Kick*Ass at the time.