Michael Grant R.I.P.

[Franko]

New York's ONWARD has issued the following statement:
"We are shocked and saddened to hear that former Onward vocalist Michael Grant passed away today at the age of 39. Thank you for your music and devotion to your craft Michael."

According to a post on Michael's Facebook page, the cause of death was pneumonia.

Michael Grant sang on all three of Onward's releases: Evermoving, Reawaken, and The Neverending Sun.

He was also a member of CRESCENT SHIELD, CYPHER SEER, and LEGEND MAKER.

R.I.P. Michael...

[rapanzel]

Hab wirklich gehofft, dass sich Michael wieder erholt.
Sehr traurige Nachricht, die mich wirklich mitnimmt, da ich lange Zeit mit Michael in Kontakt war und ihn auf dem KIT endlich persönlich kennenlernen durfte! Der Kontakt ist seitdem nie abgebrochen und wir haben uns ständig über neue gute Nachwuchsbands ausgetauscht!
RIP Michael

"Honor the dead that have fallen
Don't let true spirits die ...
Rising, flying, above mere mortals
Heed the call of metal warriors - ride high
We rise higher than mere mortals
Hear the cry of metal warriors..."

[Oliver/Keep-It-True]

Today we mourn the death of our good friend MICHAEL GRANT, singer of CRESCENT SHIELD, ONWARD, CYPHER SEER and LEGEND MAKER. He was just 39 years old. It really came out of nowhere and right now its really hard to find the right words for it. Michael did his only European show at our KEEP IT TRUE festival in 2008 and will be part of our KIT family forever. He told me how much he enjoyed this show and that it was very special for him. The same way around he will always be special for us and we will remember him as a great singer and even better person. RIP Michael, you will never be forgotten...

Oliver Weinsheimer on behalf of the whole KIT Team and family

[HeavyMetalManiac666]

Fuck, was für eine Scheiße...sehr traurig.
R.I.P. Michael und danke für die viele geile Musik.

[Michael@SacredMetal]

Ich bin sprachlos...
RIP

[rapanzel]

Von der CRESCENT SHIELD homepage:


Today I have lost a dear and close friend, a band mate, and a heavy metal brother. Michael Grant passed away on May 31, 2012 at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, CA after a relatively brief but serious illness. He was 39 years old. He was peaceful and surrounded by family at the time of his passing. Michael recorded and toured with several bands throughout his career most notably Onward on Century Media Records and more recently Crescent Shield on Cruz del Sur Music.

Michael’s rich and powerful baritone and clean melodic vocal style made him a distinct voice in heavy metal. He was known for crafting memorable vocal hooks and layered harmonies. He often weaved multiple vocal phrases together creating a complex and striking tapestry of vocal melodies. Perhaps most notable however was the passion Mike sang with. He could evoke the strength and grandiloquence of the mightiest metal warrior or the mournful atmosphere of a passing life.

Mike was more than just a singer though. He was a greatly talented songwriter and lyricist. Although he didn’t play an instrument, he would often write complete songs by humming guitar lines and vocalizing drum beats. His lyrics were profound, evocative and often personal. He was a true lover of heavy metal and would sing its praises with a sense of poetry and grandeur. No matter the topic: journeys into the unknown, the choices we make in life, religious dogma, or a crimson moonrise, Mike always delivered a moving message with unique elegance.

Writing, recording, and performing music with Mike in Crescent Shield was a joy. We were in synch creatively and complimented each other’s abilities very well. We produced music for the love of it. We performed for the love of it. Crescent Shield’s pinnacle performance at Keep It True 08 in Germany was a dream come true for both of us.

Working with Mike was the most creatively rewarding experience of my life. Although the band has been on hiatus for a while, Mike and I still were writing new material and his voice and creative energies were still in top form. Losing him at such a young age is both shocking and tragic. I will miss my musical companion, my metal brother, and my friend.

Memorial plans and gift/donation designations have not yet been arranged. Please check back soon for more information.

[Markus(PureSteel)]

Ohje, das trifft mich ins Mark. Ein außergewöhnlicher Sänger..... R.I.P.

[Moppes]

Michael Grant war seit vielen Jahren mein absoluter Lieblingssänger, ich kann mich nicht erinnern, in den letzten Jahren mal eine Woche ohne irgendeine Scheibe von ihm verbracht zu haben. Seine Stimme hat mich immer wieder neu fasziniert und tief berührt.
Als ich gestern von seinem Tod erfuhr, war ich völlig geschockt und sprachlos. Ich bin Oli unendlich dankbar, dass ich Michael 2008 auf dem KIT sehen und hören durfte und ihn auch später persönlich kennengelernt hab, was ein feiner und netter Kerl.
Noch nie hat mich das Ableben eines Musikers mehr bis ins Mark getroffen und so derart tief erschüttert...

Ruhe in Frieden , Michael - du warst der Beste!

[Ulle]

Schockierend - R.I.P.

[maniacdom]

Ist das schockierend. Ich liebe Michael's Gesang und seine Musik.
R.I.P.

[Prof]

Ein grossartiger Sänger, Songschreiber und Texter, und dazu ein sympathischer Mensch dessen Leben im Zeichen des Metal stand. Sein Tod kommt für mich völlig unerwartet.
Wie Dan schreibt, werkelten er und Michael auch während der längeren Crescent Shield-Pause an Material für ein drittes Album. Sollte dies irgendwann noch erscheinen, wird es auch Mikes Signatur tragen.

'How few the days are given
And knowing of just how they'll be
Nothing lives forever
The only thing that time will see'

'Lifespan'
Text: Michael Grant

R.I.P. Michael.

[Ghoul]

RIP

[Ernie]

Oh Mann, das ist bitter. Einer DER besten US Metal-Sänger aus jüngerer Zeit. Was habe ich "Evermoving" rauf und runter gespielt!

[Raf Blutaxt]

War das erste, was ich heute morgen gelesen habe.

Eine wirklich traurige Sache.

[Sigi]

Ich kann mich noch an die begeisterten Worte eines Herrn Götz K. erinnern, die das Debüt beschrieben und ich dachte nur "die musst du haben". Und dann diese Musik und diese Stimme!! Wieder ein großartiges Talent von dieser Erde gerissen. Aber Michael hätte gewollt, dass wir uns trotzdem nicht unterkriegen lassen. Wie sagte er doch 2008 auf der KIT-Bühne bei folgendem Song: "Let's keep the Metal going - let's keep it happy!"