Blake Harrison, a former member of grindcore band Pig Destroyer, has died at the age of 48.
Harrison became an official member of the group’s lineup in 2006, adding samples and layers of harsh noise to the band’s grindcore sound. He exited Pig Destroyer in 2022.
Harrison’s partner Lindsey Turnbullet revealed on Facebook that he had been battling and beating cancer in recent years, though he ultimately passed away from unexpected heart failure following pneumonia. Harrison’s former band and his colleagues from the Baltimore metal scene have since taken to social media to mourn his passing.
Shared Pig Destroyer on Facebook:
“Blake Hollingsworth Harrison has been our spirit animal for over 20 years.
In the early oughts, Blake’s band Daybreak and Pig Destroyer were both fledgling bands of malcontents fighting to establish our footprint in the scene. Eventually, Blake joined PD in early 2004 helping with merch on the Grind Over UK tour. Thus began a creative brotherhood and friendship that would span over two decades, across many countries, and over several albums.
Blake joined PD as our full time sound designer in the space leading up to Phantom Limb. From there we all learned together how to make a band work. We all shared the same values and basic beliefs in what we were doing while quickly becoming a tight family.
Everyone that knew Blake loved Blake. Light bent around him. You only had to meet him once. We in Pig Destroyer are forever grateful for the time we’ve been able to share with him.
Thank you for everything Blake. Thanks for the million memories, laughs, and stories. You are etched into the bedrock of our lives.
God speed Blake, you rascal. Love you man”
In addition to his stint in Pig Destoyer, also fronted Baltimore grindcore institution Triac from 2003 to 2007 and has credits on releases by other Baltimore acts Daybreak and Hatebeak. More recently, he was featured on the track “Patricide” by New Jersey sludge metallers Sunrot.
Below you can see the tribute posts from Pig Destroyer and more.