Music, Pop Culture

Ministry Bassist Paul Raven Dies of Heart Attack in Geneva

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Paul Raven With Killing Joke

October 20, 2007 FRANCE – Ministry’s bassist Paul Raven was found dead today in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border. Initial reports indicate Raven’s passing was due to a heart attack. Raven (known also for his work with Killing Joke, Prong) was in Geneva working with French recording artists Treponem Pal on their new release, with Marco Neves, 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 group Killing Joke when, in 1982 he replaced the original bassist for the band, 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, 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 working with in late 2005 on the 13th Planet release Rio Grande Blood. After a 2006 World Tour with Ministry, Raven helped Jourgensen and Prong’s Tommy Victor pen the September 18, 2006 Ministry release The Last Sucker, Ministry’s final studio release.

States 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.”

Raven’s newest project, Mob Research, featuring members of Warrior Soul and The Mission UK, and schedule for release on 13th Planet Records in 2008, was in the final mixing and mastering phases at the time of Raven’s sudden and unexpected passing.

3 thoughts on “Ministry Bassist Paul Raven Dies of Heart Attack in Geneva”

  1. Sad news indeed. Been a long time since I put on “Cleansing” by Prong, so I think today I shall…

  2. I saw him play with Prong at the Power Station, Melbourne, FL… when the heck was that? 1992-93-ish. I am in the minority, but my favorite Prong album is Prove You Wrong – with Troy Gregory on bass.

    Raven on the song “Prove You Wrong” added something “industrial” to the song.

  3. I saw Paul play with Killing Joke in Chicago back on April 21, 1989 at the Riviera Theater. It was a weeknight and a small crowd for the venue so we were able to get right up front with no problems. It was a helluva show and Paul & the boys were in top form. Simply amazing, especially the songs from “Night Time” & “Brighter Than A Thousand Suns”.

    I think I’ll play “You’ll Never Get To Me” today in his honor.

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