Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

Japanese metal-pop fusion group BABYMETAL have announced that their guitarist has died.

In a series of new posts on their social media accounts, the Japanese band have stated that their long-time guitarist Mikio Fujioka has died aged 36, writing that he “has passed away in the METAL GALAXIES" and that they "hope that he is now with his GUITAR MASTER A. Holdsworth [Allan Holdsworth] and enjoying an epic guitar session with him.”

According to reports from Metro and NME, the guitarist had fell from an observation deck on December 30 and later succumbed to his injuries on January 5. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.



Known to fans as "Ko-Gami" and "The Little God," Fujioka was a graduate of the Musicians Institute of Osaka who has released several albums and has toured with numerous acts, such as Trick Box and MMM. Fujioka joined BABYMETAL back in 2013 as one of the band's four touring guitarists and has played several memorable gigs over the past four years, such as opening dates for Guns N' Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Our thoughts are with Mikio Fujioka and his loved ones.

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