Shatter Messiah guitarist / founder Curran Murphy (ex-Nevermore, ex-Annihilator) has checked in with the following sad news.
"Today I found out that Patrick Gibson died. A few months ago he was diagnosed with terminal late stage cancer in his liver and pancreas. He didn't tell anyone his diagnosis. He was given three months to live. I toured the country with Pat for years in Shatter Messiah. Recorded two albums with him, and he threw down some amazingly soulful guitar solos on Hail The New Cross and Orphans Of Chaos.
The last solo, on the last song, on the last album Shatter Messiah released has one of Pat's most impressive solos. I was trying to get this big, bluesy, heart-wrenching vibe at the end of the song named 'Free'. We had everyone in the band at the studio that day, everyone coming in and out of the control room while I was trying to get this solo idea to happen. Everything I played felt forced and fell flat in my ears. I was not happy. I turned around and Pat is sitting on the back couch plucking away on his famous Gold Top Les Paul that he bought when he was 16 years old. Hell, he might have even had a bottle of Makers Mark sitting next to him. I looked at him and told him what I needed to happen on the song, in that solo section, and asked him to give it a go. I figured we would be working on something for a few hours, because I sure as hell wasn't getting anything on tape.
Pat plugs in, tunes up, I roll / record, and BAM! Just like that; in one take Pat threw down exactly what was needed for the song 'Free'. His solo was perfect, it was Feel, it was Heart, it was Proper. It is the kind of solo every guitar player wants to do every time they track in the studio or play live. Pat just jammed it off in one pass, We did another pass as a safety but I knew that the first one was THE one.
That song is about ending up free at the end of everything. Free from addiction, free from suffering, free from pain, and either finding your freedom in life, or death. We all get free in the end. I hope the man that played guitar with me in Shatter Messiah has that freedom now. I certainly know his good energy has already folded back into The Grand Electron. I think he went out like a fucking viking champion, he went out on his terms, which is a hell of a lot better than how most of us will get to go.
Even though the last few years were rough between Pat and I, I knew deep down inside there was love, not hate in Pat's heart, and love, not hate in mine for Pat (maybe a little frustration with Pat). I will always have this brotherhood with Pat, the music, the tours, the laughter, the fights, the trips, the blown up vans, the small shows, the big shows, the drinks, and the stories. In the end that's the best kind of legacy to have with someone, because then that person is never really gone. They are always in your mind, your heart, your soul, and even on your shoulder.
Love you, Pat."
"Free" - Shatter Messiah
Before the dream can begin
The ritual must be performed
Shaking hands and beads of sweat
Lay out the tools of my trade
Hold my breath tie me down
Push the needle though my soul
Feel the drift watch the pull
The current flows against my world
Now the deed is done, I can fly away
Abandon the discontent, reality's pain
In the dark I begin to see
In the black a moment of clarity
Pull myself out stand myself up
I can hear the tears life is weeping for me
I am now set free after years of sorrow
At the end of the dark I can die in peace
Walking to my tomb, walking to my grave
Feeling the sun beat on my face
Watching the years fade
Falling off my bones
As I turn into dust
As I turn into dust
I find my final days
As I turn to dust
I am free
I am free
