Andrew "Mac" McDermott, the former lead singer of UK progressive metallers Threshold, reportedly passed away in England last Wednesday, August 3rd. He succumbed to kidney failure after spending four days in a coma. He was only 45 years old.

McDermott had "serious health problems" in the months leading up to his death, according to a June 2011 statement from the German melodic metal band PowerWorld, with whom McDermott recorded the 2010 album Human Parasite.

Commented Threshold guitarist Karl Groom: "Mac played a large part in the story of Threshold and appeared on five studio albums. He also sang on numerous fan club releases and live albums. Although I have not seen him since 2007 for the last video shoot in Leipzig, he still remains in our minds and there is a big sense of loss. I have spoken to and seen ex-members of the band over the last two days who are all very saddened by this turn of events. We remember Mac as being so vibrant and full of life, so find this news is hard to accept."

Added Threshold keyboard player Richard West: "Mac had such a big personality and one of the world's greatest rock voices, it's so very sad that we lost him so young. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

Stated Ilker Ersin of PowerWorld: "A friend is gone! We are very sad about our big loss. We can't find the right words in this moment. Our sympathy and condolence goes to his family. The world lost a gently, nice, honest and warm-hearted person. We will miss him."

"I'm very sad about our big loss," PowerWorld bassist Ilker Ersin stated about his former bandmate's passing. "I can't find the right words in this moment."

McDermott performed in clubs in England and tried to establish a band there in his early years before he moved to Germany to join the band Sargant Fury. After three albums, the band dissolved and in 1998 McDermott joined Threshold as lead singer, replacing Damian Wilson.

Shortly after the release of Threshold's 2007 album Dead Reckoning, McDermott left the band, resulting in Wilson's return to the group.

McDermott's most recent musical project was Swamp Freaks, which "took some of the cool 'n' heavy from the '70s [Led Zeppeling, Black Sabbath] and mashed it up with some '90s anarchy [Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice In Chains] threw in some Red Hot Chili Peppers and a sprinkle of punk rock," according to the band's Facebook page.

A condolences page has been launched at this location.

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Threshold