(04-16) 15:16 PDT NEW YORK, (AP) --
Peter Steele, the frontman and bassist for the heavy metal group Type O Negative, has died.
The announcement was posted on the band's Web site on Thursday. A statement from his family says he had been suffering from illness.
The 48-year-old Steele had been the leader of the Brooklyn-based band, which expressed dark themes with its music. He had battled substance abuse, but the band says he had triumphed over his addictions.
The band says in a statement that "Peter had been enjoying a long period of sobriety and improved health and was imminently due to begin writing and recording new music."
Steele had also made an appearance in the HBO series "Oz" and in the film "Bad Acid."
The band's Web site does not indicate where he died. It says funeral services will be private.
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On the Net:
www.typeonegative.net/
