James Cody Lollar — the sole creative force behind dark synthwave project GOST — has died at the age of 46. His death was announced on April 2 by his management, Bad Behaviour, who confirmed he passed away on April 1.
"The whole GOST team is incredibly saddened to inform you that James Cody Lollar, known as GOST, passed away yesterday," the statement read. "We are sending all our prayers to his family and friends during this time of grief. He will be remembered as a wonderful human being and a tremendously talented artist. We kindly ask that everyone respect the privacy of his loved ones during these difficult times. He will be deeply missed by all."
No cause of death was disclosed.
Operating largely in anonymity behind the GOST moniker, Lollar built one of the most distinctive catalogues in the dark synthwave revival, releasing albums that drew as heavily from black metal atmosphere and occult imagery as from vintage synthesizer culture. His work — including Non Paradisi (2016), Valediction (2018), and Possessor (2022) — placed him alongside Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, and Dan Terminus as a foundational figure in the genre's modern form.
James Lollar was 46. The metal and dark music community mourns his passing.