The metal community was shocked and saddened by the news of Mike Howe’s death on July 26, 2021. The singer of the heavy metal band Metal Church was only 55 years old when he passed away at his home in Eureka, California. His fans and fellow musicians paid tribute to his legacy and expressed their condolences to his family and friends. But what was the cause of death of Mike Howe, and what led him to take his own life?
A Tragic End for a Metal Legend
According to TMZ, Mike Howe’s cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to hanging, with his death officially being ruled a suicide by authorities. A spokesperson for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department told the outlet that alcohol and drugs were not believed to be factors in Howe’s death and no controlled substances or paraphernalia were found in the home where he died.
Howe was pronounced dead at the scene after authorities received a call reporting an unexpected death at his residence around 10 a.m. on Monday. His death was later confirmed by Metal Church on their official Facebook page, where they wrote: “It is with our deepest regrets that we must announce the passing of our brother, our friend and true legend of heavy metal music. Mike Howe passed away this morning at his home in Eureka, California. We are devastated and at a loss for words. Please respect our privacy and the Howe family’s privacy during this most difficult time.”
A Career Spanning Three Decades
Mike Howe was born on August 21, 1965 in Taylor, Michigan. He moved to Los Angeles as a young adult with his band Hellion, which was later renamed Snair. He then joined Heretic, a metal band formed in 1986, and released one album with them, Breaking Point, in 1988. He left Heretic to join Metal Church, replacing David Wayne as the lead singer.
Metal Church was formed in 1980 by guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and was considered a formative influence on the thrash metal genre. Howe made his debut on the band’s third album, Blessing in Disguise, in 1989. The album featured the hit single “Badlands” and received critical acclaim. Howe recorded two more albums with Metal Church, The Human Factor in 1991 and Hanging in the Balance in 1993, before the band split up in 1996.
Howe’s lyrics tackled political and social issues of the day, such as war, corruption, censorship, and environmentalism. He also showcased his vocal range and versatility, from aggressive to melodic, and his charismatic stage presence. He was regarded as one of the best vocalists in the metal scene and influenced many other singers.
After Metal Church disbanded, Howe retired from music and focused on his passion for carpentry. He also became a father to two sons, born in 1997 and 2002. He rarely recorded or performed outside of Heretic and Metal Church, except for providing guest vocals on Hall Aflame’s 1991 album Guaranteed Forever and Megora’s 1997 EP Illusions.
In 2015, Howe rejoined Metal Church, much to the delight of his fans. He appeared on two more albums with the band, XI in 2016 and Damned If You Do in 2018, as well as their 2017 live album Classic Live and the 2020 compilation album From the Vault. He also toured extensively with the band, playing festivals and shows around the world.
A Legacy That Lives On
Mike Howe’s death left a huge void in the metal community, as he was loved and respected by many. His bandmates, peers, and admirers shared their grief and memories of him on social media, praising his talent, personality, and kindness. Some of the bands and artists who paid tribute to Howe included Anthrax, Testament, Overkill, Queensrÿche, Armored Saint, Flotsam and Jetsam, and Stryper.
Howe’s family also issued a statement thanking the fans for their support and asking for donations to be made to the ASPCA, an animal welfare organization that Howe was passionate about. They said: “We are overwhelmed by the love and support we have received from everyone. Mike was a beautiful soul and loved life. He will be greatly missed by many. We are so very sorry for the pain and sorrow that this has caused everyone. We would like to thank everyone for respecting our privacy during this most difficult time.”
Mike Howe’s cause of death may have been tragic, but his legacy will live on through his music and his fans. He will always be remembered as a metal legend, a great singer, and a wonderful person. Rest in peace, Mike Howe. You will never be forgotten.
