Jason McCash, longtime bassist of Indianapolis’ The Gates of Slumber, has passed away. Multiple tributes are being left on his Facebook page, among them one from the band, presumably written by founder Karl Simon. “My best friend died last night,” the post says. “There will be no reunion – no more of TGoS. It’s dead beyond dead, and I’ve lost a brother. Please be respectful or silent. It’s a small world and I’m still alive. Remember that shit.” The Indianapolis doom metal trio released five albums since their formation in 1998, and McCash had been in the band since 2003. When he left the band in September of last year, they chose to break up.

Announcing the band was breaking up last year, Simon posted on the Hellride Music forum, saying “I always said I’d never go on doing TGoS without Jason, I don’t think anyone ever really believed it, but yeah, it’s done. I did start the band, but McCash has been my best friend for the last 20 years, the last 10 in this damn band. He wrote amazing music and was a killer person to be around on the road. Somewhere about 3 years back shit started to change, and it’s ended with him quitting. I’m sure he needs the break, probably from me… I’m starting to *kind of* get the hint.”