Candiria Guitarist Chris Puma Dies

Posted on Sep 30th 2009 4:17PM by Chris Harris Comments

For the second time this week, the founding member of an influential metal band has lost his life. After the sudden passing Sunday morning of 3 Inches of Blood's original bassist Brian Redman, who was killed in a car accident near his home in Tacoma, Wash., now comes word to the metal community that an original member of Brooklyn's own Candiria has died.

Chris Puma, who helped form the band back in 1992 and played guitar for Candiria until being replaced John Lamacchia before the release of 1997's 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt,' died on September 20. The band issued a press release Wednesday (September 30) after learning of the loss.

"The cause is not known to us, as his family did not speak of it," the band expressed in its statement. "He leaves behind two children, 3-year-old Aislinn A'marie and a 4-month-old, Aidan Todd. Chris was a great friend to the founding members of the band, and a respected musician among his friends and peers. He was a kind and gentle person and he will be missed."

Puma's guitar work was instrumental in shaping Candiria's inimitable style, which incorporated elements of rap, jazz, and metal marked by intricate basslines and divergent guitar riffs. His work can be heard on 1995's 'Deep in the Mental' and 'Surrealistic Madness

The news comes at what's been a rather harmonious and commemorative time for the band, as it follows the release of 'Toying With the Insanities,' an album of classic Candiria tracks remixed by the likes of Dalek, Kayo Dot, members of the Dillinger Escape Plan, and Mike Patton's Peeping Tom.