Co-founder and drummer of Texas heavy metal band Pantera, Vinnie Paul, has died aged 54. The band released a statement over Facebook announcing his passing. No cause of death has been given.

Paul co-founded the band in 1981 along with his brother “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, under the guidance of their father Jerry Abbott – a successful country and western producer. Pantera went on to gain several Grammy nominations and even an number one album with their 1994 classic “Far Beyond Driven”, before their split in 2003.

The two brothers went on to form another band, Damageplan, in 2004, but later that year a shooting at one of the band’s shows resulted in the death of three people, including Paul’s brother Darrell. Paul later joined another band in 2006, acting as the drummer for Hellyeah.