Michael Browning, co-founding drummer and vocalist of Morbid Angel and Nocturnus, has passed away at the age of 62. Morbid Angel confirmed the news, writing on social media, “R.I.P Mike, thanks for helping making all this happen. Our condolences to his family & especially his daughter.”
Profound Lore also posted a tribute, writing:
RIP death metal legend/sci-fi death metal godfather Mike Browning of Nocturnus/Nocturnus AD. Journey beyond the gateway to the outer void!
“Before Christ – I ruled the land
After Death – I will rule once again
Born in Tampa, FL in 1964, Browning played in Ice and Heretic with guitarist Trey Azagthoth in 1983, and the pair formed Morbid Angel with bassist Dallas Ward in 1984. Browning made one record with them, Abominations of Desolation, which was shelved and not released until 1991, by which point he’d had left the band after an altercation with Azagthoth.
Browning went on to form Nocturnus with Gino Marino (his bandmate in FL death metal band Incubus) and Richard Bateman of Agent Steel, and contributed drums and vocals to 1990’s The Key, and drums to 1992’s Thresholds. He was fired from the band in 1993, and went on to play in After Death, Acheron, and the post-breakup Nocturnus AD that featured all of After Death and performed The Key at Maryland Deathfest 2014. They also released a couple of albums, most recently 2024’s Unicursal.
Rest in peace, Mike.