The news shocked the internet Friday night

Former Pantera drummer and co-founder Vinnie Paul has died at the age of 54 we have learned. News surrounding his shocking death broke the internet Friday night (June 22nd). No cause of death has been revealed.

“Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away,” Pantera writes on Facebook. “Paul is best known for his work as the drummer in the bands Pantera and Hellyeah. No further details are available at this time. The family requests you please respect their privacy during this time.”

Paul co-formed Pantera along with his brother and guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott in 1981. The heavy metal band gained mainstream success when it hired second lead singer Phil Anselmo. Billboard reports Pantera earned four Grammy nominations and charted nine albums on the Billboard 200 charts throughout its career.

After Pantera called it quits, the brothers formed Damageplan in 2003. A year later, in December 2004, Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed on stage during a performance in Ohio after a gunman opened fire on the group for disbanding Pantera. Paul co-formed Hellyeah in 2006 where he is credited as not only drummer, but also producer and engineer on the band’s projects.

More details will be revealed as they become available.

The news sent shock waves across social media with many media and industry personnel speaking out about Paul’s death.

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