Today is a sad day for  fans of rock music, specifically fans of the garage rock band The Hellacopters. According to BLABBERMOUT, Robert “Strängen” Dahlqvist, guitarist for Hellacopters, has passed away at the age of 40.

The Hellacopters are a Swedish rock band that started in 1994 by Nickie Anderson, and a number of other members. Originally, the band was a sort of side project for Anderson but eventually made it his main priority. They were one of the most important bands in the garage rock music revival and one of the most important in Sweden.

Robert was a core member of the group from 1999 all the way up until the group broke up in 2008. Like many artists, he just couldn’t stay away from his passion. While away from the group he was the frontman for another group called Dundertaget.

Dahlqvist slowly began to take steps towards a solo career with the release of the single “Bangatan” which he wrote with Björn Olsson. In a Facebook post, the group payed tribute to their deceased band member.

“It is difficult to find the words right now but it is with great sadness we have to announce that Robert ‘Strängen’ Dahlqvist is dead.

“For ten years, we traveled around the world several times together. Shared tour buses and recorded albums. Played at clubs and festivals.

“It’s incredibly difficult to describe in words what Strängen meant to us and no matter how hard we’d try, we couldn’t explain how much we’ll miss him.

“Our thoughts go out to all of the great memories we had together and especially to his family.

“Until we meet again”