BIOHAZARD‘s founding drummer Anthony Meo has died after a battle with most cancers.

Meo was BIOHAZARD‘s drummer in 1987 and 1988 and performed on the band’s first demo earlier than being changed by Danny Schuler.

Anthony‘s dying was confirmed by BIOHAZARD guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei, who shared an early BIOHAZARD promotional video earlier right this moment (Friday, July 14) and included the next message: “RIP Anthony Meo. You introduced us all collectively, you’ll dwell on endlessly via what we created collectively! #biohazard #og #drummer #fuckcancer #pickitupmeo”.

Schuler additionally mourned Meo‘s passing, writing on his Instagram: “Anthony Meo was the unique drummer of @biohazarddfl and a founding member of the band. He was additionally a buddy I’ve identified since I used to be 5 years previous. I grew up wanting as much as him as a drummer, and I went to high school together with his sister, Nicole. Meo lived 2 blocks from me in Canarsie, and he used to return play drums with me at my home. He was a number of years older than me, however we had been buddies. I bear in mind seeing him with BIOHAZARD within the early days. And when he left the band and I joined, he gave me his blessing. In later years, he would come to the exhibits and sit in on the drums and remind all people how necessary he was to BIOHAZARD. With out Meo, there isn’t any BIOHAZARD.

“We misplaced a brother right this moment, and a real old style Brooklyn unique. He was really one in all a form, residing life on his phrases. And an incredible drummer.

“Relaxation in peace my brother, and thanks for displaying me the way in which.#themeo #pickitupmeo #themost #theleast”.

A number of days earlier than Meo‘s dying, Billy shared an image of Anthony and he wrote: “That is Anthony Meo. With out him, there can be no BIOHAZARD. He was our first drummer and introduced us all collectively. Our lives would had most likely continued on the identical damaging path or who is aware of had Meo not launched Bobby and Evan, (who I already knew from another person). We had some loopy occasions collectively! Thanks Meo! Hold him in your prayers!”

BIOHAZARD‘s 1988 demo — that includes the songs “Grasp Race” and “America” — brought on a stir with journalists who felt that a few of the band’s lyrics displayed fascist and white supremacist views, maybe overlooking the truth that each Schuler and frontman Evan Seinfeld had been themselves Jewish.

In a 2003 interview with FoundryMusic.com, Seinfeld defended the lyrics in BIOHAZARD‘s early songs, saying: “The songs on the primary demo had been meant to shock, be imprecise, and get your consideration. We by no means had been racist, however it was an incredible attention-getter to make use of metaphoric lyrics.”

As beforehand reported, the reunited traditional lineup of BIOHAZARD — Graziadei, guitarist Bobby Hambel, Schuler and bassist/vocalist Seinfeld — will help MEGADETH on 5 exhibits within the U.S. and Canada in September.

BIOHAZARD performed its first New York Metropolis live performance in additional than 12 years on June 16 on the Irving Plaza.

The primary reunion gig from Gradziadei, Hambel, Schuler and Seinfeld befell on Might 26 on the Milwaukee Metallic Fest at The Rave/Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

BIOHAZARD will make quite a lot of different appearances all through 2023, together with at a number of worldwide festivals in the summertime, and can play choose gigs in America.

Seinfeld made his final recorded look with BIOHAZARD on 2012’s “Reborn In Defiance” album, which marked the primary LP that includes the band’s unique lineup in 18 years.