METAL MIRROR Guitarist Paul Butterworth Dies Aged 56
November 15th, 2018
 Metal Mirror 1981 (l-r): Chris Haggerty, Cameron Vegas, Ian Thompson, Gary Hitchens and Paul Butterworth |
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Paul Butterworth, guitarist of London, England-based heavy metal band Metal Mirror, passed away on November 15th, 2018 following a heart attack. Butterworth was 56 years old.
Metal Mirror issued the following statement: “Our hearts are broken to have to inform you that our lead guitarist Paul Butterworth has died, he was 56 years old. He passed away yesterday following a heart attack. He was not only a incredible guitarist, he was one of the nicest people you could wish to meet. We ask you all to please raise a glass to our Brother, The Legend That Is, PAUL BUTTERWORTH. R.I.P Paul. 1962-2018. Rock An’ Roll Ain’t Never Gonna Leave Us.”
Formed in 1979, Metal Mirror made their mark in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement with the release of their debut seven-inch single ‘Rock An’ Roll Ain’t Never Gonna Leave Us’ in 1980. The song was co-written by Paul Butterworth and vocalist Cameron Vegas, as was the b-side track ‘English Booze’. The band also had the song ‘Hard Life’ included on the 1981 compilation album Heavy Metal Heroes, released by Heavy Metal Records.
Metal Mirror did begin work on a debut full-length album, but the band split in 1982 before the record had been completed.
With a renewed interest in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal genre, the German-based label High Roller Records released separate live albums – Metal Mirror I and Metal Mirror II – in 2006, which both featured live recordings from a June 1981 Metal Mirror show at Dingwalls in London. Metal Mirror I was dedicated to former Metal Mirror guitarist Chris Haggerty, who had sadly passed away in 2004.
In February 2014 High Roller released the compilation album Metal Mirror III, which contained every studio recording from the band between 1979 and 1982. The label would also repackage the entire Dingwalls show under the title Dingwalls Tapes: Live In London 1981 for issue in May 2017.
After an abortive reunion in 2006, Metal Mirror eventually reformed in 2014, and then later with a line-up which saw Butterworth and Vegas joined by bassist PJ Phillips and drummer Mike “Stav” Stavoski the band recorded the album Vodka Hell And Angels. Featuring 12 songs the outing was initially released digitally in July 2017, followed by a CD version issued in 2018 via Swedish label Downfall Records.
