Michiel Eikenaar, the vocalist of metal bands Nihill and Dodecahedron, has died at the age of 42.

Vincent Koreman, bandmate of the Dutch singer, confirmed in a statement that Eikenaar died after a short battle with cancer.

“It is with devastating sadness that I share the death of my brother on the left hand path, our singer and black metal icon Michiel Eikenaar,” the bad wrote in a statement.

“Loved and respected by his peers and the international black metal community. A commanding frontman and fantastic lyricist, a great visual artist, but above all, a big friendly loveable guy. Death comes for all of us. It comes for the strongest, the brightest and the most loved, and Michiel was all of those things and much more.

“He leaves two small, beautiful children, a sweet and lovely wife, a close family that supported him through these difficult times and an international inner circle of friends and admirers that will miss him every hour of every day.”

RIP.