British extreme metal pioneers BOLT THROWER have officially split up following the death of drummer Martin “Kiddie” Kearns a year ago.

The band’s frontman, Karl Willetts, confirmed the split to Metal Hammer, saying: “Yes, I can confirm that BOLT THROWER are definitely over for good. There will be no reunion tours etc… no compromise.”

BOLT THROWER issued a statement earlier in the week to pay tribute to Kearns, who died peacefully in his sleep last year after becoming ill at rehearsal. The statement indicated that BOLT THROWER wouldn’t ever replace Kearns, but it didn’t make it clear whether that meant BOLT THROWER would disband.

“When we carried his coffin to his final resting place, the BOLT THROWER drummer position was buried with him,” the statement read. “He was, and will now forever remain ‘the’ BOLT THROWER drummer, our powerhouse and friend Martin ‘Kiddie’ Kearns.”

BOLT THROWER released eight albums during its three-decade existence, the most recent being 2005’s “Those Once Loyal”.

Willets recently formed a new band called MEMORIAM alongside former BOLT THROWER bandmate Andy Whale and BENEDICTION members Frank Healy and Scott Fairfax.

Fonte: Blabbermouth.net