Casey Chaos, frontman of punk band Amen, has died aged 59.
The singer’s death was announced in a statement from Brian Perera, founder of his record label, Cleopatra Records yesterday (December 21).
“With heartfelt sadness, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Casey Chaos,” Perera wrote. “I had the privilege of working with Casey during his unforgettable live performance with Christian Death at the American Legion Hall back in 1993. Walking into the hall with my good friend Matt Green and my wife, Yvonne, was an experience I’ll never forget—especially seeing Nicolas Cage sitting front-row center, completely captivated.
“Casey wasn’t just an extraordinary musician—he truly lived and breathed the lifestyle,” he continued, “May he rest in peace alongside Rozz Williams and the many tortured souls we admire and respect.”
Chaos, real name Karim Chmielnski, was born in Trenton, New York on October 9 1965, and grew up in Melbourne, Florida. By the age of 10, he was touring professionally as a skateboarder.
In 1982, fellow skateboarder Duane Peters played him a tape by the Californian punk band Black Flag, which inspired him to begin making his own music under the band name Casey and the Skate Punx. He recruited bassist Scot Lade, drummer Bill Erwin, and guitarist Ken Decter, later changing the band name to Disorderly Conduct.
Later, Chaos moved to Los Angeles where the group changed their name to Amen. There, he struck up a friendship with Christian Death guitarist Rikk Agnew, which led to him playing on and cowriting several songs on their 1993 album ‘Iconologia’.
Drummer Roy Mayorga of Amebix, Soulfly and Stone Sour is among those paying tribute, writing on Instagram: “It was great to know you and to call you my friend. I will miss you always. love you brother.”
Amen released four studio albums: their 1994 debut ‘Slave’, ‘Amen’ in 1999, ‘We Have Come for Your Parents’ in 2000 and ‘Death Before Musick’ in 2004.
In 2001, they played the seventh NME tour alongside JJ72, Alfie and Starsailor.
Throughout his career, Chaos also played in Christian Death and black metal supergroup Scum.
In 2014, Amen returned to the studio to record a new album, but it wasn’t finished in time, and and Amen went on to perform at Knotfest in support of Slipknot. Then, in late 2019, Chaos resumed recording of the album, before it was halted again due to the COVID pandemic. The album remains unfinished
