The founding member of the rock band, Slayer, has died at the age of 49. According to BBC News, metal guitarist Jeff Hanneman succumbed to liver failure on Thursday, after a two-year battle with his health.
Hanneman suffered from necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that he contracted from a spider bite. After initially failing to receive treatment for the bite, the guitarist nearly loss his arm, the Huffington Post reported.
Fellow musicians and fans expressed their condolences to the fallen heavy metal guitarist.
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth tweeted, "Tonight one less star will be shining and sadly, the stage got just a little bit darker. Jeff Hanneman 1964-2013."
Disturbed/Device artist, David Drainman, sent out a "RIP TO A TITAN OF METAL".
"WOW...I'm in shock...RIP Jeff Hanneman," tweeted drummer, Mike Portnoy.
According to Billboard, Hanneman wrote a bunch of Slayer's music, focusing on war and military-related themes. Hanneman's father was a World War II veteran and his brothers served in Vietnam.
Over their career, Slayer band mates have released ten studio albums and two live albums, along with two EPs. From 1991 to the present, the band has sold more than 4.9 million albums.
"Reign in Blood", "South of Heaven", and "Seasons of the Abyss", account for two million albums. The Slayer's have ten albums that appeared on the Billboard 200, Billboard reported.
"Christ Illusion" became their highest debut, ranking in at No. 5.
"The music industry has lost a true trailblazer, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his bandmates and fans around the world who mourn his untimely passing," expressed Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy.
The rock guitarist was in the process of penning new music for the group's upcoming album.
Rocker Andrew W.K. wrote on Twitter, "Jeff Hanneman will always be a metal god."
