Howe rejoined the heavy metal group in 2015, after almost a 20-year absence from music.
The band’s officialFacebook pagemade the announcement.
“Mike Howe passed away this morning at his home in Eureka, California.
Mike Howe of Metal Church.Frank Hoensch/Redferns
We are devastated and at a loss for words.
c’mon respect our privacy and the Howe family’s privacy during this most difficult time.”
The band has released 12 studio albums and counted over 20 members, past and present.
Howe first joined the band in 1988, replacing then-singer David Wayne.
Howe rejoined Metal Church in 2015, after stepping away from music after the band broke up in 1996.
During his nearly 20-year absence, the artist supported his family and pursued his first profession of carpentry.
Last year, Howe spoke about feeling “hurt and angry” after leaving his band.
“When Metal Church broke up it was a very sad thing.
I loved being in Metal Church and I felt that was my identity,” he toldLoudwire.
I felt hurt and angry about it all.
I could tell he had a great time and it’s something I’ll never forget."
