Andrew “Mac” McDermott, the former lead singer of U.K. progressive metallers THRESHOLD, reportedly passed away in England yesterday (Wednesday, August 3). A condolences page has been launched at this location.

McDermott had “serious health problems” in the months leading up to his death, according to a June 2011 statement from the German melodic metal band POWERWORLD, with whom McDermott recorded the 2010 album “Human Parasite”.

“I’m very sad about our big loss,” POWERWORLD bassist Ilker Ersin stated about his former bandmate’s passing. “I can’t find the right words in this moment.”

McDermott performed in clubs in England and tried to establish a band there in his early years before he moved to Germany to join the band SARGANT FURY. After three albums, the band dissolved and in 1998 McDermott joined THRESHOLD as lead singer, replacing Damian Wilson.

Shortly after the release of THRESHOLD‘s 2007 album “Dead Reckoning”, McDermott left the band, resulting in Wilson‘s return to the group.

McDermott‘s most recent musical venture was the band SWAMP FREAKS, which “took some of the cool ‘n’ heavy from the ’70s [FREE, LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH] and mashed it up with some ’90s anarchy [PEARL JAM, NIRVANA, ALICE IN CHAINS] threw in some RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and a sprinkle of punk rock,” according to the band’s Facebook page. Source: Blabbermouth.net