Douglas McCarthy, lead singer of the electronic band Nitzer Ebb, has died at the age of 58.
His bandmates confirmed his passing in a public statement and asked for privacy for his wife and family. While the exact cause of death has not been formally announced, McCarthy had previously revealed he was battling liver cirrhosis.
In 2024, he withdrew from touring after explaining that years of alcohol abuse had damaged his liver. He also shared that he had stopped drinking, but recovery from cirrhosis can be long and difficult.
McCarthy co-founded Nitzer Ebb in the early 1980s. The band became known for its powerful vocals, electronic sound, and high-energy performances. They were influential in the British industrial and electronic music scene during the late 1980s and 1990s.
After disbanding in the mid-1990s, the group reunited in 2006 and continued touring. McCarthy remained the distinctive voice and driving force behind their music.
Tributes have poured in from fans and fellow musicians, many describing him as passionate, energetic, and deeply influential. For many who grew up in the 1990s, his music helped define an era.
His legacy lives on through the sound he helped create and the fans who continue to celebrate it.