New York City-based power metallers GOTHIC KNIGHTS have issued the following message from guitarist John Tsantakis:

"It was absolutely heartbreaking to hear that RONNIE JAMES DIO passed away earlier this week. The bands's sincerest and deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.

To us, he was and always be one of the greatest singers in metal. All week, I have been reminiscing about the past and thinking how much Dio was a huge influence on me, both musically and lyrically. To me, his music, imagery, aura, and showmanship was simply true metal at its finest.

Back in the day, I used to buy his albums on cassette and vinyl. I kept listening to the cassettes over and over, so many times that I kept wearing out the tapes and rebuying them them. I played the vinyl on special occasions as I didn't want to scratch them. Plus the album covers were pieces of

art to me.

I remember the days back in high school when I used to draw out the Dio logo down to the detail on every one of my blue canvas binders.

My wife too is a huge Dio fan. In fact she is a huge RAINBOW fan to say the least. Shetold me the other day when we were listening to Rainbow

Rising, that she feels so sad that she lost her Elvis. She so is right, we lost our Elvis."

A previous update from Gothic Knights reads: "Our next CD is going to be mixed this July at Trax East Studios by Eric Rachel! This next CD from beginning to end, is going to feature our darker and heavier side, and we expect to release it sometime soon after. The cover artwork, which is already finished, was developed by Eliran Kantor. Its been a long time since our last release, but we feel that this next CD is going to be a great representation of the band's growth musically and sonically!"

For more info visit Gothicknights.com.