Nitzer Ebb founding member and vocalist Douglas McCarthy has died at the age of 58.
The news was confirmed today (June 12th) by the English EBM and industrial band via social media.
“It is with a heavy heart that we regret to inform that Douglas McCarthy passed away this morning of June 11th, 2025,” the group shared on Instagram. “We ask everyone to please be respectful of Douglas, his wife, and family in this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding and will share more information soon.”
While no cause of death has been officially announced, McCarthy had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in 2024, which led to his announcement of a break from performing due to health concerns.
View this post on InstagramLove Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
Born in Barking, East London, McCarthy’s musical journey began when he met future Nitzer Ebb drummer David Gooday whilst skateboarding at the age of 10. Through this friendship, he was introduced to keyboardist Bon Harris, with whom he would go on to form the influential electronic outfit in 1982.
The trio’s first performance took place at the Chelmsford YMCA, marking the beginning of what would become a significant career in the industrial and electronic body music scene. After securing record deals with Mute Records in the UK and Geffen Records in the US, Nitzer Ebb released their debut studio album, That Total Age, in 1987.
The album featured several tracks that would become staples in the electronic music landscape, including “Murderous”, “Join In The Chant”, and “Let Your Body Learn”. Their powerful sound and distinctive style earned them supporting slots on tours with Depeche Mode, helping to expand their audience internationally.
Nitzer Ebb continued to release albums consistently until they disbanded following 1995’s Big Hit. After an 11-year hiatus, the group reunited in 2006, embarking on tours and releasing two more albums, demonstrating their enduring influence and relevance in the electronic music scene.
McCarthy’s powerful vocal style and commanding stage presence were defining elements of Nitzer Ebb’s sound, helping to establish them as pioneers in the EBM genre and influencing countless electronic acts that followed.
The group charted six singles in the UK through the ‘80s and ‘90s, and several works impacted the US charts. 1987’s “Join in the Chant” came in at No. 164 in Rolling Stone’s list of 200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time.
“Chant” was the “perfect techno crossover — particularly in Detroit, where techno artists like Carl Craig and Jeff Mills had once made industrial music,” RS enthused.
