power trip riley gale
[Photo by Joshua Andrade]

Power Trip vocalist Riley Gale dies

Power Trip vocalist Riley Gale has passed away. The band shared the news on social media Tuesday.

Gale died Monday evening according to the statement signed by the vocalist’s family. The cause of death has not been disclosed. While funeral arrangements are pending, they ask that all donations be sent to Dallas Hope Charities in lieu of flowers.

“It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed away last night,” the statement begins. “Riley was a friend, a brother, a son. Riley was both a larger than life rock star and a humble and giving friend. He touched so many lives through his lyrics and through his huge heart. He treated everyone he met as a friend and he always took care of his friends.

“We will celebrate Riley’s life and never forget the great works of music, charity and love that he left behind. You, the fans, meant so much to him, please know how special you are. If you have a memory of Riley please share it, no matter how small, as we remember him.”

Gale appears on both of Power Trip’s full-lengths, 2013’s Manifest Decimation and 2017’s Nightmare Logic, both of which were released via Southern Lord Records. Earlier this month, the band revealed they were planning to hit the studio to begin work on a third LP.

The thrash metal act released a compilation, Opening Fire: 2008–2014, in 2018 and most recently dropped a live album, Live In Seattle: 05.28.2018, in June. The latter was recorded at Neumos during Power Trip’s tour with Sheer Mag, Red Death and Fury and released as a way to offset the impact of show cancellations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Both of their most recent albums were released in partnership with Dark Operative, which also shared a statement on the vocalist’s passing.

“I will miss you forever, Lil Jumpy Mane,” the tweet begins. “You always facilitated people making new friends everywhere you went and I’m glad you got to be greeted by the same explosion of love wherever you went in this world. Thank you for so many of the best days and nights of my life. ❤️”

In addition to his work with Power Trip, Gale appeared on Body Count’s “Point The Finger” off their latest Carnivore, which was released earlier this year. Ice-T shared the DIY video for the track in May, which you can see below.

Shortly after the band’s post on Gale’s passing, Ice-T posted to his own feed. “I just got the news,” he tweeted. “He was only 35. I’m devastated. Still don’t know how… I’m speechless. So Fd up.. smh”

Journalist and Virginia House of Delegates member Danica Roem, who previously fronted metal act Cab Ride Home, also shared a tribute to Gale.

“Just a week before police murdered Breonna Taylor, Riley Gale of @PowerTripTX co-wrote/guest-starred on ‘Point the Finger’ by @BodyCountBand, calling out police brutality in the most essential metal song of 2020,” Roem tweeted. “Rest in power to an incredible thrasher.

“Riley was close to my [and] @ShawnTheButcher‘s age. His lyrics [with Body Count] were on point: ‘Wrong floor, kicked down the door/No questions asked/Eyes meet, both on their feet/They open fire before he can speak.’ Also, Nightmare Logic is essential modern thrash,” she continued alongside a link to a 2019 live video of “Firing Squad.”

Power Trip embarked on their most recent tour in late 2019, supporting High On Fire alongside Devil Master and Creeping Death on a North American run. The band then played their own Evil Beat Vol. 2 festival, which was held at Dallas’ South Side Ballroom in January. Power Trip hit the stage for their final show before the pandemic in Bangkok, Thailand in February. You can see footage of that set below.

Power Trip were set to head to Europe with Lamb Of God and Kreator in March, but the shows were postponed due to coronavirus concerns. They recently announced the rescheduled dates for November and December 2021.

The band also had plans to join Taking Back Sunday and Thrice on Coheed And Cambria’s S.S. Neverender cruise in October, which has since been postponed to October 2021.

Coheed also shared a tribute to the late vocalist, tweeting, “Rest in Power, Riley Gale of Power Trip. We were looking forward to making memories together next year. Our thoughts are with you all.”

Our thoughts are with Gale’s family and friends at this time.