Tore Ylwizaker, longtime keyboardist for Norwegian band Ulver, passed away on the evening of his 54th birthday (August 16th). A cause of death was not revealed.
Ulver announced the sad news and paid tribute to their late bandmate in a statement on social media:
“It is with black holes in our hearts we have to inform you that our brother for over nearly thirty years, Tore Ylvisaker (Ylwizaker), is dead. He passed on in the night of 16 August, his 54th birthday. It is all too much to take in at the moment. We will return as soon as we have collected ourselves. Rest in peace, dearest friend. We love you, forever. ULVER”
Ylwizaker joined Ulver in 1997 and first appeared on the band’s 1998 offering Themes From William Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.
His addition to the lineup coincided with a marked artistic shift by Ulver, which began as a second-wave black metal act. Alongside Ylwizaker, the band began to explore a more electronic and avant style, highlighted by the trip-hop cult classic Perdition City in 2000.
Related Video
Ylwizaker keyboards remained a major part of Ulver’s sound on the many albums the band has released in the years since. He also had notable production and mixing credits for records by Ihsahn, Mayhem, Star of Ash, Arcturus, and more.
Heavy Consequence send our condolences to Ylwizaker’s family, friends, and bandmates during this difficult time. Below you can see the band’s tribute post on social media.
