“Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, 1961–2004, former Pantera guitarist, gunned down whilst performing with his new band, Damageplan, apparently by someone disgruntled about the breakup of Pantera.

Death happens all the time, and bigger atrocities than this one occur daily, but Pantera’s music has been important to me over the years and I have particularly respected Dimebag’s skill as an artist. I saw Pantera perform in Brisbane the last time they were here, at Festival Hall in 2001, at the very top of their game, kicking arse and taking names. Despite the pretty ordinary final album, that is still how I remember them.

Rest in peace, Dime.