snow black’s myspace are reporting paul raven died today. word coming on on heart attack or heat stroke.
RIP Paul, this sucks.
Shit…i’m very sorry to hear that. I’ve always enjoyed the work he’s done with Killing Joke. I’m guessing this is what Afra was referring to about deleting posts? If so, very understandable. My sympathies for his friends and family.
Shit…i’m very sorry to hear that. I’ve always enjoyed the work he’s done with Killing Joke. I’m guessing this is what Afra was referring to about deleting posts? If so, very understandable. My sympathies for his friends and family.
This is very unfortunate… He was hanging with Ted Parsons (Swans, Jesu) in Paris, and died of a heat stroke and couldn’t be revived 
Yes, I first heard it was posted on PA from a close friend of his who posted it there, so I posted it here. However, it wasn’t made official by Killing Joke and I thought it was disrespectful (which it was) to announce it here so I deleted what I put up. Thanks for understanding…
this puts me in a bind, since I feel this should be announced in the press… i think ill just wait for official confirmation out of respect for Paul though.
And damn - its a real shame what happened. Killing Joke and Ministry are two of my favorite bands and I always enjoyed Raven’s other projects as well. To think that TLS is the last thing he recorded… I wonder if this will affect the upcoming tour in any way.
this puts me in a bind, since I feel this should be announced in the press… i think ill just wait for official confirmation out of respect for Paul though.
It has been posted by Mob Research, a band Raven was a part of:
"PAUL RAVEN R.I.P
Mob Research founder and bassist Paul Raven passed away today Saturday 20th october, apparently from a heart attack. The cause of the attack is currenly unknown. He had just arrived in Europe to commence recording with his friends Treponem Pal.
…"
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=215780794&blogID=320925475
Blabbermouth article:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83199
[size 3]Unto them from whose eyes the veil of life hath fallen may there be granted the accomplishment of their true Wills; whether they will absorption in the Infinite, or to be united with their chosen and preferred, or to be in contemplation, or to be at peace, or to achieve the labour and heroism of incarnation on this planet or another, or in any Star, or aught else, unto them may there be granted the accomplishment of their wills; yea, the accomplishment of their wills.
[/size]
Paul, you will be missed.
MINISTRY bassist Paul Raven was found dead yesterday (Saturday, October 20) in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border after suffering an apparent heart attack. Raven (who is also known for his work with KILLING JOKE and PRONG) was in Geneva working with French recording artists TREPONEM PAL on their new release alongside drummer Ted Parsons (PRONG) and members of THE YOUNG GODS.
Born in Wolverhampton, UK on January 16, 1961, Paul Vincent Raven established himself with his work in the seminal post-punk/industrial act KILLING JOKE after he replaced the band’s original bassist in 1982, recording and touring with the group throughout its most commercially successful period, performing on “Fire Dances”, “Night Time” and “Brighter than a Thousand Suns”. Throughout his extensive career, Raven participated in other collaborations, including PRONG, MURDER, INC., PIGFACE and GODFLESH. Most recently, Raven was nominated for a 2006 Grammy for “Best Metal Performance” for his work with MINISTRY’s Al Jourgensen, with whom he had begun collaborating in late 2005 on the MINISTRY release “Rio Grande Blood”. After a 2006 world tour with the group, Raven helped Jourgensen and PRONG’s Tommy Victor pen the latest MINISTRY CD, “The Last Sucker”, which is also the band’s final studio release.
Commented KILLING JOKE keyboardist Reza Udhin: "Paul was a very amazing man who I loved and trusted very much. He always had great ideas, ventures and always looked out for me as if I were a little brother to him.
"I was very fortunate to be in contact with him several times in his last week and I had great conversations with him, we laughed and joked, which was an integral part of his personality.
"We had so much more to do, especially with his own personal project MOB RESEARCH, which I know he was extremely excited about.
"I don’t know what more to say, as this is such an unexpected happening for me, as we were only talking a short time ago. I can’t believe he is gone.
"Paul will be greatly missed by music fans, friends and mostly his family; his bands will miss him terribly. He was a great man and a unique bass player who has died at such a tragically early age.
“Love to you, brother. I miss you.”
R.I.P Paul… The news of his passing saddens me a lot… He was a very talented musican whose unique playing style contributed to the fact that many of my favourite albums actually became such. :’(
Here’s to the Raven…
Hard to believe…so sad.
MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen and members of KILLING JOKE have commented on the passing of bassist Paul Raven, who was found dead yesterday (Saturday, October 20) in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border.
Stated Jourgensen: "I am in total shock. The world of music is a sadder, emptier place. Not only was Raven an extraordinary talent, but one of my closest dearest friends. Our condolences and prayers go to his immediate family. He will be truly missed by artists, musicians and his fans the world over.
"The one consolation is knowing Raven’s already hooked up with the right people and started a new project in the After Life.
“God’s speed, Raven. Rest in peace, you fucking pirate.”
KILLING JOKE’s Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker said in a joint statement, ‘‘We are all deeply stricken with grief at the unannounced departure of possibly the funniest man on planet Earth and a brother to us all, Paul Vincent Raven. Unimaginable sadness is felt by all’’
Dan Raven, Paul’s brother added: “We are in deep shock and we miss him a great deal. We love him.”
I was so shocked to hear this terrible news. He was such a cool guy.
Geez. Heat stroke?
The last time I saw Prong, Raven was manning the bass.
His loss is truly a shame.
-E
Its still hard to believe this one. Such a cool guy, very down to earth and very approachable.
Geez. Heat stroke?
I saw that somewhere last night, now I can’t remember where. But I guess he just died in his sleep to a heart attack. At least he went peacefully.
Well, he was a nicer guy than Geordie Walker (Killing Joke guitarist) is. Man that guy was a sucker. Pure ice on a stick and then some. No wonder Patton threatened to hit him when Geordie auditioned for Faith No More.
Having said that, even though Paul’s tenure in Ministry was brief and ineffectual, if there is a buck to be made off this recent tragedy, believe me, Mrs Jay will onto it like the rash that she is.
I was really hoping that when Afra pulled the post of Paul’s passing that it was a good sign, that perhaps it was a false rumor that had been cleared up.
I’ve always admired his bass playing. He played hard solid basslines that always seemed to do the job. It’s funny because he kind of had an 80’s prettyboy look for a time in killing joke, and as he got older and filled out more he took on more of that menacing look and stage presence! Very, very sad indeed.
R.I.P. Brother… much love.
Very sad, the man was a massive talent.
He seemed to be quite a friendly man despite his menacing attitude in the KJ live performance.
I hope KJ and Treponem Pal will be able to cope with it.