Babymetal have paid tribute to their late guitarist Mikio Fujioka, who has passed away at the age of 36.
The Japanese heavy metal outfit confirmed the news on Twitter earlier today (January 9), writing that Fujioka “has passed away in the METAL GALAXIES” and adding: “We hope that he is now with his GUITAR MASTER A. Holdsworth [Allan Holdsworth] and enjoying an epic guitar session with him.”
The group then quoted the lyrics to their song ‘The One’: “We are the one. Together. We’re the only one. You are the one. Forever”.
The “Little” Guitar Kami of #BABYMETAL ‘s #Kamiband has passed away in the METAL GALAXIES. We hope that he is now with his GUITAR MASTER A.Holdsworth and enjoying an epic guitar session with him.
We are the one
Together
We're the only one
You are the one
Forever#RIP #THEONE pic.twitter.com/NMUg3mhmes— BABYMETAL (@BABYMETAL_JAPAN) January 9, 2018
Fujioka was known to fans by his nicknames ‘Ko-Gami’ and ‘The Little God’.
According to Fujioka’s wife, the musician fell from an observation deck on December 30 and later passed away on January 5.
Fujioka had toured with Babymetal since 2013 and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
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Speaking to NME in 2016, Babymetal member Moametal discussed being in the band, saying: “Being involved with BABYMETAL has allowed me to acquire more chances to really become involved with music. As a result, I find myself noticing each individual instrument the band plays and I feel that I have found a new way of enjoying music on a deeper level.”