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."

Raven's newest project, MOB RESEARCH, featuring members of WARRIOR SOUL and THE MISSION UK, and scheduled 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.

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.

A memorial dedicated to the life and art of Paul Raven can be found at www.thirteenthplanet.com.