Steve Albini, a legend of the US music scene beloved by rock fans for his production work, including Pixies' "Surfer Rosa (1988)" and Nirvana's "In Utero (1993)," among others, and for leading the alternative and indie rock scenes from the formative years of 1990s American rock, has passed away at the age of 61.In 1981, he formed Big Black in Chicago. The band's punk sound, featuring metallic guitar tones and aggressive lyrics that illuminated "America's shadows and darkness," along with their indie-spirited approach to band management, had a significant impact on the music scene and rock business that followed. Albini also continued his work as a producer and engineer while being active in bands like Rapeman and Shellac. His influence can be heard in the music of bands that transformed the essence of old US underground rock, from contemporary classics produced by Albini, such as PJ Harvey's "Rid of Me (1993)" to Iggy Pop's The Stooges album "The Weirdness (2007)." He is once again drawing attention as the originator of "cutting-edge classic rock." This May, Shellac is set to release their first album in ten years, "TO ALL TRAINS," and many artists have expressed their condolences upon the sudden news of his death. We send our deepest sympathies with a track from the first album by Big Black, led by the rare talent of alternative rock maestro Steve Albini, who created "the eternal sound of now."

Jordan, Minnesota

Steve Albini, Noise Rock Pioneer and ‘In Utero’ Engineer, Dead at 61