Bassist Frank Watkins has passed away on Sunday, October 18th at age forty seven after battling cancer.
Frank joined the band Hellwitch in 1988 and appearing on their 1989 rehearsal demo. He joined Obituary after the departure of their bassist Daniel Tucker. Frank's first recording with Obituary was the now legendary 1990 album Cause Of Death and he remained with the band until their demise in 1997. When Obituary decided to reunite in 2003, Frank participated in the reunion with live shows and their comeback album Frozen In Time released in 2005. Frank remained with the band until 2010. In 2007, Frank joined Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth under the pseudonym Bøddel, which is Norwegian for Executioner. In Gorgoroth he appeared on the 2009 album Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt and the recent 2015 release Instinctus Bestialis. Frank was also a member of the death metal band The Henchmen in 1993.
His former band Obituary issued the following statement: "Just got the very sad news that Frank passed away this morning. Our thoughts and and prayers are with his family."
Gorgoroth issued their own statement: "Rest in peace Frank Watkins (19.02.1968-18.10.2015). He will be missed."