Noted metal journalist Jeff Wagner (Mean Deviation book, former Metal Maniacs editor) is currently putting together the biography of the late leader of TYPE O NEGATIVE, called Soul On Fire - The Life And Music Of Peter Steele, but says former members are not cooperating.

Wagner writes on the official Facebook of the book:

"I'm disappointed in the recent decision of the surviving Type O Negative members to not cooperate in the telling of his story. Between January and April, I established contact several times with each of them. Despite emails and phone conversations which were cordial and, I thought, positive, they have made this decision for reasons still unclear.

On the upside, more than 40 people have participated and shared thoughts, emotions and recollections for this project. This includes people verifiably close to Peter – family, close friends, music industry figures, members of Fallout, Carnivore and session musicians for Type O Negative. This book is being written in tribute to Peter and it is going forward at full steam.

Josh, Kenny, and Johnny have my contact information. The door is always open for them to take part, albeit prior to its release, currently scheduled for October 31st.

I’d like to believe Peter is having a good laugh at all of us right now."

The book will be, in Wagner’s words, “a thorough telling of Peter’s life, from his ‘diaper days’ to his death. It will not only include analysis of the music he created in Type O Negative and Carnivore - and the many triumphs and personal tribulations that came along with it - but also let fans in on the details of his early days. The book will also feature numerous images from throughout his life, on stage and off. Peter’s fans miss him, and as a follower of his music since 1986, I’m proud to put together this tribute for them. While warring factions within the story have already been heard, my mission is simple: cut through the crap and tell one of the most extraordinary stories in modern music, withgreat respect to the subject himself.”

Culled from a variety of sources, including recollections from band mates, family, close friends and record label reps, Soul On Fire is an accurate account of Steele’s creative genius and incredibly complex personality. Steele was a visionary and a provocateur; a generous friend and a self-deprecating hedonist; a band mate and a brother. His struggles with addiction and his acceptance of the Catholic faith he grew up with and then grew out of…all of this is surveyed and detailed within Soul On Fire.

The book is due for publication in October, 2013.

For more details visit Petersteelebio.com.

Peter Steele died at the age of 48 on April 14th, 2010 from heart failure.