Father Blames 'Dark And Evil' Death Metal Music For Son's Suicide

BBC News has issued the following report:

The father of a heavy metal rock singer who killed himself has blamed the band's "dark and evil" music for his suicide.

Gareth Bonetto (photo),29, was known as Mad Eddie Richards in his role as singer with Pontypridd band BLOOD RETCH.

He hanged himself in March after weeks of hospital psychiatric treatment.

His father Lawrence told an inquest in Merthyr Tydfil it was as though his son was "two different people" when he was in the band.

The inquest was told Gareth Bonetto formed the death metal band BLOOD RETCH in 2002.

The band had played across the U.K. and Europe and their debut album "Pain is My Weakness" included songs with titles including "The End", "My Time has Come" and "Demons".

Lawrence Bonetto told the inquest: "When he was playing with the band it was as if my son was two different people — he took on the persona of Mad Eddie.

"His music was dark and evil and it did for him."

The band's website listed Mad Eddie's likes as "burgers, Satan, money, wrestling and porn".

His dislikes included "everybody" and he said he was "looking forward to destroying the world".

The inquest was told that that shortly before his death in March this year, Mr Bonetto had damaged his flat and cut off his shoulder-length hair.

He was given psychiatric treatment but was released home after four weeks in hospital.

Police discovered the musician hanging from a belt at his home in Nantgarw, near Cardiff, after the alarm was raised by his sister.

The inquest was told that BLOOD RETCH have continued playing since Mr Bonetto's death and have dedicated a song called "Soviet" in his honour.

A verdict of suicide was recorded.