Photo Credit: Hillarie Jason

Dark Angel guitarist and co-founder Jim Durkin has died, as confirmed in a Facebook post by Jim’s wife Annie. He was 58. Annie posted on Jim’s Facebook page yesterday (Friday, March 10th). Dark Angel also commented on Jim’s death. Durkin played on the band’s first three albums — We Have Arrived (1985), Darkness Descends (1986) and Leave Scars (1989) before leaving the band later in 1989. Dark Angel went on to release two more albums before reforming in 2013 with Durkin. While he had been touring less and less and replaced at the shows by drummer Gene Hoglan’s wife Laura Christine, he has been writing songs for Dark Angel’s long-in-the-works new album. The band is scheduled to perform its legendary album Darkness Descends in its entirety at three special concerts next month at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, as well as Milwaukee Metal Fest, and European Festivals. RIM Jim.

Annie’s post read: “With a broken and heavy heart, I want to share that the love of my life, my best friend and husband, Jimmy, passed away Wednesday morning. He was not alone as I was with him along with a few close friends until the end. He will be truly missed and no one can ever replace the love I have for him. May he rest in peace.

“Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours……. My Immortal Beloved. I will see you again.”

The band commented:  

“We in the DARK ANGEL Family are deeply saddened and crushed today with the news of our brother and founder Jimmy Durkin passing away Wednesday morning.

“We would like to thank his fans for their continuous loyalty and support. We will come out with a full statement very soon. We ask that you please respect the family’s privacy while we mourn the loss of this great man.”