On February 25th, SVEN GALI guitarist Dee Cernile lost his three year battle with cancer. He and the band were a staple on the Canadian club circuit in the early '90s until they disbanded in 1996.

Billboard.biz reports: Sven Gali was signed to BMG Canada by David Bendeth - now a New Jersey-based producer (BREAKING BENJAMIN, PAPA ROACH, PARAMORE) - who produced the band's self-titled debut album in 1992. The album went gold in Canada, then signifying 50,000 units shipped, and was nominated at the 1993 Juno Awards for Hard Rock Album of the Year. The band was also nominated for "Most Promising Group".

"Dee was a great guitarist, singer, and songwriter who always wore his heart on his sleeve," Bendeth tells Billboard. "His love of music and life made him a true rockstar. He will be missed by many that had the great fortune to work with him and hear that great infectious laugh. He was larger than life."

Read more here.

Former SLIK TOXIK frontman Nick Walsh - now with FAMOUS UNDERGROUND - issued the following statement upon hearing the sad news:

"When we were young, drunk and stupid, we (Slik Toxik) had somewhat of a sibling rivalry with the boys of Sven Gali. It wasn't until I was in LA mixing when I happened to run into Dee and T.T. (Maher/bass) on the Sunset Strip that our new friendship was forged. Brothers from the same scene unite. After that experience we toured together, drank together, and rooted for each other all the way up till these current days.

I just thought I'd share with all of you how rivalry can turn into camaraderie. We love ya, Brother."

Anthony "Mif" Mifsud, former vocalist for Toronto's SLASH PUPPET also contacted BW&BK; with some heartfelt parting words for Dee:

"On behalf of the rest of the members of Slash Puppet, I would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Dee's family, friends, fans and fellow bandmates. Today marks a truly sad and sobering day as a fellow member of the extended family known as the Toronto heavy metal scene has succumb to an illness that was so bravely challenged and so valiantly fought. His enduring spirit was exemplified as much in this, the battle for his life, as it was throughout all of his years of contribution to the music scene here in Canada and indeed around the world. Dee must now continue to shine amongst the stars above us in the same way that he shined as a bright star amongst us, and while he will be sorely missed, he will never be forgotten by those he touched with his music, friendship and kindness."

(November 2010: Mif, Pete Dove, Nick Walsh, Dee Cernile)

Following is a verse written by Cernile and posted on his official Facebook page:

"It has occurred to me that the days of life are a forgetful mistress.

In my youth I would dance with her night after night with little thought of her being missed by the likes of me.

Time would be the one missing my robust ways and seemingly endless days.

Time would wonder where I am, where I've been and what other forces I've been with.

But today I found an envelope addressed, stamped and dated.

My, the hours fly by, and as wisdom would have it, I discover that my mistress, Time, has been dancing all along. I just didn't see her!

So on behalf of my forgetful mistress, Time, and my forgetful self, please accept this delayed message to you, and consider yourself remembered."