VENOMIN JAMES drummer Jared Koston passed away of cancer on Tuesday, June 1 at his home in Madison, Ohio surrounded by his family and friends. He was 40 years old. The Cleveland-based heavy metal band was set to release their second album, Crowe Valley Blues, on Auburn Records when Jared passed away. The album has been rescheduled to be released on June 29.

Drummer Eric Singer (KISS), vocalist Angela Gossow (ARTCH ENEMY) and vocalist Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, BEYOND FEAR, HAIL!, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ex-ICED EARTH) are just a few of the many musicians who have publicly voiced their support for Jared and the Koston family.

Singer, a Cleveland-native, took time to send a personal message to Jared following a May 30 KISS show in Hamburg, Germany. The message was read to Jared the day before his death. KISS was one of Jared’s all-time favorite bands.

Gossow posted an online message encouraging fans to send donations to help the Koston family with their expenses.

Owens, on tour in Siberia with HAIL! and a long time veteran of the Northeast Ohio music community, dedicated a song to Jared at his June 3 performance in Omsk. Tim and his wife Jeannie also made a financial donation to the family. Owens had planned to participate in a benefit concert for Jared but touring conflicts prevented it from happening.

Jared’s bandmates have released the following statements:

Jim Meador (vocals):

"Losing Jared hurts very badly. Jared was a very genuine, modest, humorous and extremely talented individual. Not only was he a tremendous drummer, but he was a very caring father, husband and friend. Jared was the kind of person you instantly felt comfortable around because the goodness in his heart radiated through instantly. Jared battled till the very end by staying active, smiling and ensuring that those around him felt comfortable even though he knew he was dying. I am very proud of Jared and extremely inspired by his strength. I am extremely saddened as I sit here in the Hindu Kush mountains, so far away and unable to spend those final days by his side but I know that his spirit will live on in my heart. It was an honor to be his friend and to be a part of something that truly brought him joy. He will be part of the Venomin James brotherhood forever. Jared played the drums in a very dynamic manner. He had an amazing sense and ability to give a song EXACTLY what it needed. He knew when to hold back to create atmosphere and breathing room but when he attacked it was ferocious, like a Viking tearing through a village with a blunt axe. He played with great precision, power and passion."

Joe Fortunato (guitar)

“Jared was more than just the drummer in our band, he was family - a brother. His family is our family. It's hard to sum up someone like him. There are not enough words to describe his heart and his soul. He was just this unassuming guy who was very warm and genuine. He was real. There wasn't a malicious bone in his makeup. He was the human being in a world of phonies. When he sat behind the drum kit he became an animal - a crushing barrage of arms and sticks. He was thunder in a storm. It was like he was forging weapons for a Viking onslaught when we played. He played with more heart than any drummer I've ever known. He made us tighter and made us play harder in order to match his ferocity. He made us monstrous on stage. When we finished a live set, everyone in the room was a convert. He made that possible. I'll always play with his fire in my soul for the rest of my days.”

Tomascz Scull (guitar)

“Jared Koston. My brother, my friend. I love you Jared. Humble, modest, and unassuming character. The best drummer I have ever had the pleasure of hearing play, let alone be in a band with. Jared had a deep love of nature and the outdoors He and I have a special bond that cannot be broken with the passing of his physical self. His spirit has enveloped me and I cannot escape his grasp, nor do I wish to. You have given me and the world something very special in your music and personality, Jared. And I thank you, my friend. I was very fortunate to have spent as much time as I did with Jared, and I can say that in the past three months I learned a lot about my beautiful friend. He was not afraid, ever. He let the small stuff roll off and instead focused on what was really important. He lived, loved, and played drums every day as if there would be no tomorrow. As we all should. The world is a better place because of him. He was truly that great of a man. He has created some very special music and his legacy will live on forever. Jared Koston. My brother, my friend, God of Thunder. I love you Jared. And I will find you one day, and we will rock out again. I swear it.”

Erin Corcoran (bass)

"I’ll see you later brother.”

Funeral and Church services for Jared are set to take place June 4 and 5. All are welcome to attend. Click here for more information

Following the June 5 church service at 3:00 p.m., a party to celebrate the life of Jared Koston will be held at the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio (www.holdenarb.org). In addition to playing music, Jared had a deep love for nature and the Arboretum was his favorite place to visit.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for financial donations to help offset hospice and funeral costs. Jared had four children, no health insurance or employment. Both Jared and his wife Michele had been working full-time up until his illness when both were forced to leave their jobs. Donations can be made as follows:

PayPal donations can be sent to: jaredkoston@rocketmail.com (be sure to mark "personal," then select "gift").

Cash, checks or money orders (payable to Michele Koston) can be sent to:

The Koston Family

3060 Princeton Drive

Madison, Ohio 44057

USA