Ghost Cult is saddened by the loss of long-time writer Paul Quinn, who has passed away after a long illness today. He is survived by his wife and children in Manchester, United Kingdom. A fixture at Ghost Cult from some of our earliest days as a zine and website, Paul was a brilliant writer, with ears of gold, and an unparalleled way with words. Paul personally discovered countless new bands we covered, and was the first voice at our website to champion bands that would go on to further acclaim such as Primitive Man, Conan, Sea Bastard, AHAB, Oathbreaker, Burial, In The Company of Serpents, Darkher, Barishi, Psalm Zero, Myrkur, and so many others. A key figure in our early successes when we launched in 2012, he also helped cover our first major UK festival for the site: Damnation Festival. Many labels and publicists quoted his scores of reviews in their releases, often sending praise of his work to us. 

Paul Quinn, Oliver Irongiant and Ethan McCarthy. Photo by Rich Price

Looking back on the body of Paul’s work with us, it is not a stretch to say he personally did a lot to support underground, underloved bands in the Sludge, Doom Metal, and Death Doom scene bands, especially in the UK. Not limited to those genres, however, Paul deeply loved exploring new music and sharing it with others. We can say with certainty Paul was as lovely a person as he was a gifted scribe, and was loved by many in and out of the Manchester music scene. Even in the last few years of his life, Paul kept supporting underground and DIY bands whenever he could make a show or on Bandcamp. It was the honor of our lifetime to work with him and have his words live on forever with us is a gift. RIP Paul. We will love you, always.

Read Paul’s archive of work at Ghost Cult. https://www.ghostcultmag.com/?s=paul+quinn&submit=Search