Caleb Scofield, vocalist and bassist for metalcore bands Cave In and Old Man Gloom died in a car crash in New Hampshire yesterday, after his pickup truck collided with a toll plaza barrier on the F.E. Everett Turnpike. He was 39 years old. As New England Cable News reported, “after hitting the center divider, the truck rolled over at least once, landing between two unmanned E-ZPass lanes. There were people working in adjacent tollbooths at the time but they were not injured. Witnesses claim that that the crash occurred after Scofield attempted to switch lanes at the last minute.”
Scofield helped Cave In create their debut record Until Your Heart Stops, marking the first time the band played together as a four piece, and stuck with the group all the way through to their last record in 2011. All the while, he was also making records as Old Man Gloom with Converge guitarist and vocalist Nate Newton, as well as his own solo project Zozobra with Aaron Harris of post-metal group Isis on drums.
“We are saddened and shocked to hear about the sudden passing of Caleb,” Profound Lore label founder Chris Bruni told Pitchfork. “A really great and genuine person, and it was awesome working with him on those last two Old Man Gloom albums we released. But undoubtedly Cave In were one of the most groundbreaking and moving bands in all of heavy music of the late ’90s. True artistry and unbridled heavy emotion. Damn did those albums hit me hard.”
Scofield is survived by his wife and his two daughters. In the wake of the crash, officials are reconsidering the safety of the turnpike and are considering converting all toll plaza’s over to electronic tolling. Read the messages from bandmates and fellow musicians below:
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