Former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza passed away during a performance with the band OHM: on May 21st at age 51. There had been speculation that Menza’s death may have been drug-related, but autopsy results show that his death was indeed due to a heart attack.

It was announed back recently that Menza was gearing up to release a debut piece of art created from rhythm. The process involves the use of drumsticks that light to craft the visuals within the artwork. To build the piece, Menza worked with SceneFour, the art team behind the medium and publishers of rhythmic works by a highly select group of legendary drummers. SceneFour has issued the following statement in the wake of Menza's passing.

The Wave Northwest had Nick on their show on May 8th. They state: “He was a great pleasure to interview and an all around awesome person. Nick was not only an amazing drummer but he was highly intelligent, funny and had many talents. We discuss a wide variety of topics in this interview from playing with Megadeth and OHM: to marijuana, UFOs and aliens and much more. We are truly saddened by the loss of this great man who was taken far too young. Our hosts Tony DeLisio and One Hit Wonder Wade send their love and deepest and most sincere condolences to Nick's family and will always honour his memory and treasure being able to interview him. Rock in Peace Nick!”

Listen to Menza’s final interview, streaming below:

On May 22nd, Megadeth headlined Rock N’ Derby at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds in Schaghticoke, NY. During his interview with Albany's Q103, frontman Dave Mustaine revealed the band is putting together a benefit show for Nick Menza's family. Check out the interview below.

During Megadeth's show, Mustaine asked the audience for a moment of silence in memory of Menza and paid tribute to him at the very end of the gig. Check out the footage below:

The following is a message from Dave Mustaine posted on Facebook regarding Menza and his passing:

"I woke up this morning to a text message from my son, with the news of Nick Menza's passing. Shocked, devastated, and saddened don't begin to describe my feelings.

Originally a tech for the band, Nick soon displayed such talent and personality, it didn’t take long for us to realize he belonged on stage with us, behind the kit. We asked Nick to join Megadeth as our drummer in 1989. At the time, the band already had its first platinum album, which only served to stoke the fire. We all wanted world domination- with so much of our lives and dreams ahead of us. As we navigated through the pitfalls of life and the music business, our first album with Nick, Rust in Peace, and subsequent albums Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia, kept up the momentum. We parted ways after Cryptic Writings. We, like all brothers, would disagree at times, but our bond was strong throughout.

As a player, Nick had a very powerful jazzy flair, unpredictable and always entertaining. And as great a drummer as he was, the time spent with him as a person, a bandmate, and a friend was even more fun. There were several times we discussed him coming back to the band, but for various reasons it never came together. We've been in touch all along, he had come out to our shows recently, and he had remained a great friend, a true professional and a larger than life personality.

The Megadeth family take care of each other, and expect to hear soon about an initiative to help Nick's children. All of us in this community are connected, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

My deepest condolences go out to Nick's family." - Dave Mustaine