SATYRICON frontman Satyr has issued the following statement regarding the passing of BATHORY legend Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg (as exclusively reported here on June 8):

"Hearing about Quorthon's death was just sad. 39 years old you know... BATHORY made a huge impact on Frost and myself and it was the first Black Metal band I ever got into. This was in 86/87. Ever since I've been a big fan and his work has influenced me to do what I do today. In one of the first bands I played in, we did a cover of 'Sacrifice' live and SATYRICON recorded its first cover ever with 'Born For Burning' for the 'In Conspiracy With Satan' BATHORY tribute. Very few people have ever met or talked to Quorthon. He chose to be for himself and not be a part of the scene or anything like that. Obviously this was a big part in making him the cult figure he will always be. I was lucky enough to talk to him on the phone back in 95/96 a couple of times. The first time we talked for like three hours! And I found him to be a very friendly, interesting and well-spoken man. Our video director Jonas Åkerlund played with Quorthon on their first record and he has told me many good stories about those days. Thank you for what you did for music Quorthon. Everyone, light 13 candles and play your BATHORY records in memory of the king!"