TRIVIUM, DREADFUL THOUGHTS, INFINITUM OBSCURE and GUS G have issued the following statements regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer RONNIE JAMES DIO (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, RAINBOW, ELF). Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer yesterday (May 16th) at the age of 67:

TRIVIUM'S Matt Heafy - "Ronnie James Dio - R.I.P.

Trivium had the privilege of meeting Dio while touring with Heaven & Hell in Japan in 2007. We were just happy to be on the shows and didn’t expect to spend any time with any of the guys. Every single night of that tour Heaven & Hell blew our minds; we were fans in awe of how good they were. They had it all and to watch a group of musicians that deep into their careers so absolutely on top of their game like that was inspiring.

One night after a show in Nagoya, I was able to pop in real quick to say 'hey' to Dio in his dressing room. I've been able to meet many heroes of mine in my life, but few have made impression on me like Ronnie James. He greeted me not as a support band member, but he welcomed me as a fellow musician and performer. He gave me a hug, invited a couple of us into his room where we all sat and talked and drank wine together. I remember our conversation crystal clear to this day. I told him how I met Bruce Dickinson on his BBC radio show and was asking Bruce about vocals and vocal techniques, and I shared with Dio that Bruce felt that I had started to develop my own vocal style and with work someday would further develop a stylistic similarity to Dio. Dio smiled and chatted about how he knew that Bruce was a fan of his voice, and from there we were able to just relax and talk shop about vocals and singing. Although it was a quick visit, Ronnie made me feel at home and was a really sweet dude. He gave us props, we finished our wine, we hugged and said 'See ya tomorrow.' \It was amazing that I received vocal coaching from quite possibly the greatest metal voice of all time. I am truly grateful for the time he gave me and his personal insight into our shared craft. For that I will always be thankful."

DREADFUL THOUGHTS' Roger Boyer Jr. - "Dreadful Thoughts would like to send their condolences to Ronnie James Dio’s family.

We were rehearsing in our studio when we heard the news yesterday. We played our last song thinking about him and it was very emotional. We met each other as musicians creating a Black Sabbath tribute, so needless to say Ronnie was an important influence on us.

Me as a singer, I've had the chance to talk with Ronnie after a show on his Last In Line Tour, and he was so kind to take the time to exchange thoughts on music, it made me appreciate him even more.

This is an irreplaceable loss for the music community. His music will stay in our hearts forever."

INFINITUM OBSCURE - "A farewell to the King of Rock n Roll,

Ronnie James Dio, the King of Rock n Roll, has passed away, and we are deeply saddened and touched by his departure from this physical realm. This is the biggest loss in the history of Heavy Metal Music.

All of us in Infinitum Obscure grew up listening to Ronnie James Dio in Rainbow, Dio and Black Sabbath and he has always been a personal inspiration to us in one way or the other.

We bid you farewell Ronnie and thank you for the decades of timeless magical music that has inspired us through life and beyond.

We cherish your gift of music highly and we hail you by the magic of Heavy Metal."

GUS G (OZZY OSBOURNE / FIREWIND / DREAM EVIL) - "On the night of May 16th, I was shocked to read the news. Ronnie James Dio, a true Rock giant is no longer with us. My condolences go out to his family and close ones and my thoughts are with you.

His music with Dio, Black Sabbath and Rainbow has had a huge impact on me and Firewind’s sound. One of the bands I used to play in also got its name from one of his songs – that was Dream Evil.

While I never had the chance to meet him, Firewind played a festival with Heaven & Hell in 2009 and I got to see him perform. No doubt, it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen and I was amazed by his energy and how spot-on all his notes were.

His music will continue to inspire and his legacy will live on forever.

Thank you for your magic Ronnie James Dio."