Erik Wunder, the driving inventive power behind the black steel band Cobalt and gothic folk-rock mission Man’s Gin, has died. Nachtmystium’s Blake Judd and Abigail Williams’ Ken Sorceron—each of whom toured had beforehand toured alongside Wunder—confirmed the information on social media. “I’m completely devastated, Judd wrote in an Instagram submit. “Erik Wunder, relaxation simple brother. I’m so grateful for our instances collectively.” Wunder was 42.
In 2002, Wunder joined Grimness Enshroud, then the Greeley, Colorado-based solo mission of Phil McSorley. They renamed the band to Cobalt shortly thereafter, with Wunder later telling Invisible Oranges, “we wished a reputation that did not entail something. One thing primary. One thing elemental. The title ‘Cobalt’ leaves room for any number of instructions.” Cobalt’s debut album, Conflict Metallic, got here out in 2005. Wunder performed the entire guitar, bass, and drum components within the studio whereas McSorley dealt with lead vocal duties.
That very same yr, Wunder based Man’s Gin with guitarist Clint Kamerzell, serving because the duo’s main songwriter, guitarist, drummer, and frontman. Their 2005 EP The Rum Demos by no means noticed a large launch however made waves in Colorado’s underground scene. In the meantime, Cobalt signed to Profound Lore and launched two extra albums: 2006’s Eater of Birds and 2009’s Ernest Hemingway-inspired Gin, the latter of which dovetailed with Kamerzell’s departure from Man’s Gin.
All through 2009 and 2010, Wunder toured with experimental vocalist Jarboe. He recruited one other member of her band—upright bassist Joshua Lozano—and guitarist Scott Edward to affix Man’s Gin. Collectively, they put out Smiling Canine in 2011 and Rebellion Hymns in 2013. In December of 2014, Wunder kicked McSorely out of Cobalt after the singer posted a misogynistic and homophobic screed to Fb. He was changed by Lord Mantis’ Charlie Fell, who Wunder had beforehand met whereas on tour with Jarboe.
Cobalt shared their remaining LP, the double album Slow Forever, in 2016. In a Pitchfork interview with Wunder across the time of its launch, Grayson Haver Currin wrote that the band had created “blackened steel that felt extra harmful than the work of so many satan-worshipping acts steeped in fantasy and make-believe.”
