**Update: A Gofundme campaign to cover Bob’s funeral costs has been launched. Please consider donating here.**
Decibel is deeply saddened to report the passing of longtime metal drummer “Iron” Bob Fouts, who died on April 28, 2020. The Indianapolis musician broke into underground music scene as the drummer of metallic hardcore upstarts Burn It Down in the late ’90s before following ex-bandmate Jason McCash and joining Indiana traditional doom metallers the Gates of Slumber, with whom he recorded a pair of critically acclaimed albums, 2008’s Conqueror and 2009’s Hymns of Blood and Thunder. Over the years, he performed live and provided session work for a number of acts including both Nachtmystium and Apostle of Solitude, and most recently played with Chicago-based post-black metal act Chrome Waves.
”RIP Bob,” wrote the Gates of Slumber frontman Karl Simon on the band’s Facebook profile: “I don’t have the words really. He’d seemed like he was on the way back. I hope he’s at peace.”
No cause of death has been revealed. Decibel extends our deepest condolences to Bob’s family and his countless friends in the heavy metal community.
