MELDRUM Singer Comments On Passing Of MICHELLE MELDRUM

MELDRUM vocalist Michele Madden has issued the following statement on the passing of her bandmate, MELDRUM/ex-PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum, who died on May 21 as a result of a cystic growth that had restricted oxygen and blood flow to her brain, rendering her braindead.

"My black heart is broken. It has taken me a while to get my head around all of this, but I wanted to thank all the fans of both MELDRUM and TOURETTES [Madden's other band in her native Australia] who have reached out to me over this horrible time. We are all so saddened, and I have been inundated with so much mail from those who were touched by Michelle that I have been unable to answer all of it. That's why I wanted to get this out, to let the fans know that it is gratefully received and that it means so much to me right now..."

Madden and her MELDRUM bandmates are still pushing forward, putting the finishing touches on the group's third album (for which Michelle completed all her tracks prior to her passing) for a late 2008 release. They decided that they will continue recording and touring as a unit, keeping the project name to honor their fallen bandmate.

"I am angry and shattered that this unexpected tragedy had to happen to such a wonderful woman, and I am gonna use that in the songs," Madden said. "I am about to go into the studio with producer Rob Shallcross in Vancouver to get all the ends tied up. Its going to be one of the hardest things I have ever done but not doing it would be even harder."

MELDRUM drummer Gene Hoglan (formerly of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, TESTAMENT, DARK ANGEL, DEATH) is currently on tour with DETHKLOK, but Madden claims that they will coordinate and be in constant contact while she is in the studio.

To read Michele's eulogy that was read at Michelle Meldrum's memorial service on May 24, go to her live journal at www.michelemadden.com.

Michelle Meldrum was born on September 28, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan to a family of musicians and actors, and moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of 13. She started her career in music by forming the thrash metal band WARGOD with drummer Gene Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD),then moved on to become both co-founder and lead guitarist in PHANTOM BLUE. PHANTOM BLUE released its self-titled debut album on Shrapnel Records in the U.S. (Roadrunner in Europe and Japan) and eventually landed a major label deal with Geffen.

While her career flourished, Michelle married EUROPE guitarist John Norum and moved to Sweden to form MELDRUM. After many successful tours with such acts as MOTRHEAD and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, she reunited with Gene in 2006 when he appeared as a guest on MELDRUM album and events. Inspired to once again collaborate, Michelle moved back to America where she and Gene began writing the third MELDRUM album together.

Reality Check TV has put together a video tribute to Michelle Meldrum to help celebrate her life and remember her as she lived shredding on her guitar. Watch the 10-minute clip below.