Punk rock frontman Casey Chaos, best known as the lead singer of Amen, has died at age 59. The news was confirmed Saturday through an emotional statement on the band's official Facebook page.
Born Karim Chmielnski in Trenton, New York, Chaos made his mark on the punk rock scene after growing up in Melbourne, Florida. Inspired by hardcore pioneers Black Flag during his teenage years, he formed his first band Casey & The Skatepunx, which later became Disorderly Conduct and gained traction in Florida's punk community.
After relocating to Los Angeles in 1990, Chaos founded Amen, the band that would define much of his musical legacy. He also collaborated with Christian Death, co-writing and performing on their "Iconologia" album.
Cleopatra Records founder Brian Perera remembered Chaos's powerful stage presence, particularly during a memorable 1993 Christian Death performance at the American Legion Hall. "Casey wasn't just an extraordinary musician—he truly lived and breathed the lifestyle," Perera stated.
Amen's last studio album, "Death Before Musick," was released in 2004 through EatUrMusic, a Columbia Records imprint. The band's final public appearance came at Knotfest in 2014 in Devore, California.
Fellow Los Angeles musician Skum Love paid tribute to Chaos on social media: "One of my good friends and someone who I look up to as a performer just passed away. Casey Chaos I'm gonna miss you."
The band's statement noted ongoing unreleased projects from the past several years, with Chaos preferring to wait until material was complete before sharing it with fans. They promised to honor his legacy "in the way he deserves; to have his genius, talent and heart celebrated and experienced by the world."