Earlier today, former Death bassist Scott Clendenin passed away at the age of 48. The band’s manager Eric Grief conveyed the news via Death’s Facebook page:

With a sense of shock I’m letting all of you know of the passing today of former DEATH bassist Scott Clendenin. Scott had some health challenges in the last few years but was optimistic about his prospects. Of course he was the skilled player on The Sound of Perseverance DEATH album, and recently participated in two DTA live runs, in 2012 and 2013, including the highlight of his acoustic guitar in a poignant rendition of Voice of the Soul. Our thoughts go out to Scott’s family at this difficult time. ERIC

Clendenin was in the final lineup of the seminal death metal band, from 1996 to 2001. He played on 1998’s The Sound of Perseverance along with Chuck Schildiner, Shannon Hamm and Richard Christy. He’d joined Schuldiner’s other band, Control Denied, but was replaced by Steve DiGiorgio, who had been in the band previously. Schuldiner, of course, died in 2001.