Shaun Kirkpatrick, who founded and played guitar in the '80s British band Bronz, has passed away.

Classic Rock Magazine reports that Kirkpatrick died of a suspected heart attack. Bronz, part of the new wave of British heavy metal in the late '70s and early '80s, released one album during their lifetime, 1984's 'Taken by Storm,' which spawned the single, 'Send Down an Angel.'

That same year, they opened for Ratt on tour. The original lineup (featuring singer Max Bacon, who joined GTR, the short-lived '80s group formed by Yes guitarist Steve Howe and Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett) dissolved, and Kirkpatrick put together another version of Bronz. The band's second album, 'Carried by the Storm,' was completed in 1985, but it sat on the shelf for 25 years, eventually released in 2010.

Bronz had reunited a few times over the years, most recently in 2010, to perform some shows. According to Kirkpatrick's website, they were working on a new album to be released this year.

“As a father and husband his death was a complete shock, and he will be sadly missed by his wife and children," the band said in a statement. "Melodic rock fans have lost a tunesmith whose works, like the jazz greats Shaun’s father loved, will be graced with even greater accolades posthumously.”

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