Metal Community Remembers Dimebag Darrell

Tributes and memories are flowing in as the tears of the friends, family and fans of Dimebag Darrell Abbott have only begun to fall. Among the mourners are Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and Charlie Benante of Anthrax, who offered their feelings on their respective websites yesterday. Here are their posts:

"There is nothing unique or clever to this post, and what I want to say has no doubt already been said throughout the metal community, by countless others whom were more closer to Darrell than me by now.
However, knowing he was murdered tonight, I wish to thank and remember Darrell for his amazing life and the gift that he shared with me and so many other fortunates. I pray for Darrell's family and friends; specifically for their healing, their peace, and their understanding of this tragedy in this time of need.
I send my deepest heartfelt condolences to the Abbott family, to Darrell's friends, and to the fantastic Pantera and Damageplan fans around the world. We must never forget his life, and his gifts, his genius, his terrific personality, and the legacy he left behind to remember him by. Darrell, I will see you in heaven and I, like so many more, love you brother.

You will be missed."

Dave Mustaine

Charlie Benante had this to say:

"I loved him, he was a true friend. The phone calls in the middle of the night, talking about this and that. Playing KINGS X or KISS licks over the phone. I remember this one time we were both going through these anxiety attacks. I never had them, nor did he. We were talking about how we stopped them. I quit drinking alcohol and coffee and he said that he started drinking MORE ALCOHOL! HAHAHA, that was him. I had some great times with him, he always put you in a good mood, DAMMIT! What the f**k is wrong with people?? How the f**k does someone get into a club with a loaded gun, HOW?? WHY??"

Chad Dyer offered this response on the website of Black Label Society, whose frontman Zakk Wylde had been a friend, colleague and musical soul mate of Abbott's for many years:

"We lost Dime tonight. We have no official details, and I personally am not saying anything. I want to thank Shawn Sexton (Sierra Nevada) from sdmfworldwide.com for calling Chad Lee and I in Chicago and bringing it to our attention, first and foremost. Right now, I myself, and the entire Doome Crew Inc., those I've spoken to, can't even begin to try to fuckin' assmble (sic) words in sentences to tell you guys how we feel. Give us a few days to circle the wagons. Whatever comes across officially from the family will be conveyed, as always, humbly by us."

Howard Jones of Killswitch Engage also appeared shaken in the words he offered in an MTV interview:

"This is insane and this is beyond travesty. This is beyond anything I've ever heard. This shouldn't happen in or outside of the rock and metal community. He will be missed and mourned as a person, as a musician, and as a friend."

Clearly, the metal community is reeling from these shocking and tragic events. Sadly, the gunman who killed Abbott will not be brought to any sort of earthly justice, but Abbott's departure from this world has obviously left a mark on the people who knew and loved him and those who adored his music.