Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Mike Browning, a 62-year-old drummer and vocalist, has passed away, as per theprp. From 1983 to 1986, Browning was a member of the influential death metal group Morbid Angel, which he co-founded. After leaving, Browning continued to be active in the decades that followed, participating in a number of other projects, including Nocturnus, Nocturnus AD, After Death, Acheron, Atlanta, GA-based Incubus, and more. On July 13th, Profound Lore Records announced his passing.
RIP death metal legend/sci-fi death metal godfather Mike Browning of Nocturnus/Nocturnus AD. Journey beyond the gateway to the outer void!
‘Before Christ – I ruled the land
After Death – I will rule once again
Morbid Angel also paid tribute to their founder.
R.I.P Mike, thanks for helping making all this happen.
Our condolences to his family & especially his daughter.
On May 26, 1964, Browning was born in Tampa, Florida. At the age of 13, he began playing the drums. Black Sabbath, Slayer, Angel Witch, Mercyful Fate, and Celtic Frost are his primary sources of inspiration. When Morbid Angel, Ice, and Heretic were first created in 1983, Browning was a member. He was the vocalist and drummer for Morbid Angel, the pioneers of death metal. From 1984 to 1986, he was a member of the band. The band’s only official recording, “Abominations of Desolation”, was not released until 1991, years after Browning had left the group. Trey Azagthoth, the guitarist for Morbid Angel, and Browning had a highly tumultuous relationship; it appears that Azagthoth’s involvement with Browning’s then-girlfriend led to an altercation and Browning’s departure from the band.
After leaving Morbid Angel, Browning continued to play drums and vocals for bands in the Florida death metal scene, such as Nocturnus, a technical/progressive death metal band with a keyboard player and songs with science fiction themes. Before being let go from Thresholds in 1993, Browning was the band’s drummer and lead vocalist on their 1990 album “The Key.” In the 1980s and 1990s, he also worked with Florida death metal bands Incubus and Acheron. After that, Browning was a member of the band After Death, whose songs dealt with black magic and the occult. Alongside metal singer Lisa Lombardo, he was a member of Wolf and Hawk and Devine Essence.
