Iconic American producer and musician Steve Albini has died of a heart attack, aged 61.

Pitchfork reported the news this afternoon, stating that his death was confirmed by staff at his Chicago recording studio, Electrical Audio.

His band Shellac's sixth studio album, To All Trains, is scheduled to be released next week.

As well as being a member of Shellac, and previous bands like Big Black, Albini was renowned for his work with acts like Nirvana (producing In Utero), Pixies and PJ Harvey. He also worked with Irish acts like Flogging Molly and New Secret Weapon.

"We’re all very similar creatures," New Secret Weapon's David Griffin said of the band's working relationship with the producer, as part of an interview with Hot Press in 2021. "We got to hang out with him in France for ten days, and then we got to hang with him for another ten days in the States, by which point we had a major rapport with him. So we’re kind of buddies, at this point. He was in Ireland a couple of years ago and he gave me a ring. I was at a house party, and I was on a rollover – so it wasn’t exactly the most suitable time to be talking to Steve Albini! But I passed him around the table anyway. It was a bit of craic. He’s a sweetheart."