Riley Gale, the dynamic vocalist and frontman of Texas thrash metal luminaries POWER TRIP, has passed away leaving a void in the worldwide metal community. Riley was an extraordinarily charismatic, outspoken, and kind-hearted person who has touched lives around the globe both onstage and off. Our condolences go out to Riley's family, bandmates, friends, and fans. Rest in peace...
Please read the official statement issued by his family:
Dear Power Trip fans worldwide,
It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed away last night.
Riley was a friend, a brother, a son. Riley was both a larger than life rock star and a humble and giving friend. He touched so many lives through his lyrics and through his huge heart. He treated everyone he met as a friend and he always took care of his friends. We will celebrate Riley's life and never forget the great works of music, charity, and love that he left behind.
You, the fans, meant so much to him, please know how special you are. If you have a memory of Riley please share it, no matter how small, as we remember him.
Please respect our wishes for privacy during this time. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Dallas Hope Charities, the link to donate directly is here: https://www.dallashopecharities.org
Signed,
Riley's Loving Family
CEREMONY posted this touching tribute to Riley below...
We met Riley Gale before both Power Trip or Ceremony ever existed, in 2005, when he hipped us to a hotel pool we could sneak into after a show in San Antonio. Anthony accidentally left his backpack behind, Riley went and retrieved it, mailed it back to California, and we’ve been close friends ever since.
Riley booked some of our earliest shows in Texas, and we played some of Power Trip’s earliest shows. Our bands remained connected, transcending the aesthetic, throughout. He gave us the very first copy of the ‘Nightmare Logic’ LP, and he got our first copy of the ‘Spirit World’ LP. Power Trip were the first band we ever booked on a Home Sick, and they returned the favor the very next year at the first Evil Beat. We had so much more to do together, and the thought of continuing on without him is almost too much to bear.
It is vanishingly rare to encounter a spirit so kindred, and even more so one that remains a constant among the ephemeral for a decade and a half. Riley was, of course, magnetic, righteous, deeply kind, and incredibly funny, but most of all, he was relentlessly generous. And the thing about Riley was this — he made everyone feel the same way. His capacity for warmth and supportiveness, seemed at once to both somehow defy nature, and be entirely effortless. If there is a reason that his name echoes across the entire planet, that is it.
The world feels increasingly dark, and the light Riley contained seemed exempt from certain physical laws. Our hearts are broken. Rest easy, friend.
Blast some POWER TRIP in honour of Riley. Starting with this gem...