Metal acts pay tribute to acclaimed rock author Malcolm Dome, who has died aged 66

Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne and more have paid tribute to heavy metal journalist Malcolm Dome, who has died at the age of 66.

Among other achievements, Dome was known for coining the term “thrash metal”. His 1980 book Encyclopedia Metallica has long been thought to have inspired Metallica’s name upon their formation.

As well as publishing multiple books on artists suchh as AC/DC, Metallica and Led Zeppelin; Dome also edited and/or contributed to a number of music magazines - including Record Mirror, Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, Classic Rock, Metal Forces, Louder and Prog.

“Extremely sad to hear of Malcolm Dome’s passing," Lars Ulrich of Metallica tweeted in a tribute. "Not only was he an incredible talent who helped guide my relationship with heavy music, but he was also a great person. Today, I’m thinking of the fun, memorable times we spent together back in the day.”

Former Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi also paid his respects, writing:

“Malcolm was a lovely guy, he interviewed me many times and was always positive about the music. He was one of the first journalists to totally get metal. We even worked together last year when he helped me sort out my Wikipedia entry. Sadly missed.”

Ozzy Osbourne, who formerly fronted Black Sabbath, tweeted his sadness at the loss: “Words cannot express how sorry I feel to hear about the passing of Malcolm Dome. Rest In Peace. God Bless.”

Dome also wrote sleeve notes for various album reissues, including those by German thrashers Kreator. The band's frontman Mille Petrozza made a statement on his social media pages.

“Shocked to hear about Malcolm Dome’s passing today. Malcolm wrote all liner notes for the recent @kreatorofficial reissues, including ‘Enemy Of God’ and ‘Hordes Of Chaos’, still on the horizon.

“We talked on Skype for hours and Malcolm knew more about my band’s past, than I could remember myself. He was a true music lover and one of the funniest people out there. Working with Malcolm never felt like actual work.”

Prog editor Jerry Ewing co-wrote a number of books on rock and metal bands with Dome including Encyclopedia Metallica. He told Louder magazine: “Malcolm was a great friend to me from the very first time I met him as a writer just starting out, as he was for many other writers as well.

“The word legend gets bandied around far too often these days but Malcolm most certainly was. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge about music and was one of the most genuinely widely loved and respected men I know. I will miss him terribly.”

Dome wrote about the Anthrax song ‘Metal Thrashing Mad’ in February 1984, dubbing the genre "thrash metal". Before that point, bands including Anthrax and Metallica had labelled their music “power metal”.

He is also remembered for his work on Total Rock Radio, which launched as Rock Radio Network in 1997.

See more tributes to Dome, including those by Lars Ulrich, Ozzy Osbourne, Frank Turner, Therapy?, former Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, Ricky Warwick and Whitesnake‘s Bernie Marsden, below.

Extremely sad to hear of Malcolm Dome’s passing. Not only was he an incredible talent who helped guide my relationship with heavy music, but he was also a great person. Today, I’m thinking of the fun, memorable times we spent together back in the day. https://t.co/9chlIVjSMm

— Lars Ulrich (@larsulrich) November 1, 2021

Malcolm was a lovely guy, he interviewed me many times and was always positive about the music. He was one of the first journalists to totally get metal. We even worked together last year when he helped me sort out my Wikipedia entry. Sadly missed. - Tonyhttps://t.co/Te8hippkxB

— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) November 1, 2021

Words cannot express how sorry I feel to hear about the passing of Malcolm Dome. Rest In Peace. God Bless

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) November 1, 2021

Totally gutted to hear of Malcolm Dome's passing, far too early. He was a supporter of Million Dead from the get-go, always a friendly, charming and kind face, incredibly knowledgeable and a legendary journalist. A sad day for music.https://t.co/TugyUrnaDU

— Frank Turner (@frankturner) November 1, 2021

Extremely sad to hear about the passing of legendary journalist/writer Malcolm Dome. He was a lovely, gentle man and time spent with him was always time well spent. We'll all miss him, a huge loss to the music world.

— THERAPY? (@therapyofficial) November 1, 2021

So sorry to hear of the passing of Malcolm Dome.
I knew Malcolm for forty plus years, he loved his music, was an accomplished writer and a fervent football man, so we had a lot in common.
I, and all he knew, mourn him. My deepest condolences to his family & many friends. RIP. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/i9gw7jnKjk

— Bernie Marsden (@Bernie_Marsden) November 1, 2021

So sad to see Malcolm Dome has left us. He was an amazing writer, a passionate supporter of UK rock music and a great sport, even after we trashed his desk at the Kerrang! offices.
Another very dark day for UK rock music. I will miss him so much. 💔

— Ginger Wildheart (@GingerWildheart) November 1, 2021

Who remembers Malcolm Dome's words on the back sleeve of At the Beeb? If not, here they are... pic.twitter.com/EHldBq8h4S

— In the Lap of the Pods (@LapPods) November 1, 2021

Rest In Peace Malcolm Dome. I have been reading and loving his reviews and articles in @KerrangMagazine since I was a teenager. @kerrangfanpage pic.twitter.com/2scaBCNCE7

— Greg Renoff (@GregRenoff) November 1, 2021

Very sorry to here that Malcolm Dome has left us. He was a champion of great rock music and a supporter of ⁦@myMotorhead⁩ all the way through to ⁦@PCATBS⁩. RIP Malcolm. https://t.co/C6v5F2eSqg

— Phil Campbell (@MotorheadPhil) November 1, 2021

Long time friend and Twisted Sister champion #MalcolmDome has just died. His liner notes are in many TS albums including our new release called #tearitloose. incredible loss of a champion of the metal community. RIP Mr. Dome

— Jay Jay French (@jayjayfrench) November 1, 2021

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Malcolm Dome. I have known Malcolm well over 30 years from the early days of The Almighty right up to the present day. He was a fine journalist and a fine human being. Condolences to Malcolm’s family. Rest easy mate.

— RICKY WARWICK 🍀 (@rickywarwick) November 1, 2021