Nitzer Ebb’s Douglas McCarthy has died at 58

Douglas McCarthy, vocalist and founding member of industrial/EBM group Nitzer Ebb, has died. He was 58. The news came via the band’s official socials: “It is with a heavy heart that we regret to inform that Douglas McCarthy passed away this morning of June 11th, 2025. 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 was given, McCarthy had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver last year.

Born in London in 1966, McCarthy formed Nitzer Ebb with Vaughan “Bon” Harris in 1982, and would become one of the most popular groups in the industrial subgenre EBM (electro body movement) with singles like “Murderous,” “Join In The Chant,” “Control I’m Here,” and “Fun to Be Had.” The band were signed to Mute Records and toured with labelmates Depeche Mode on the Violator tour. Nitzer Ebb broke up in 1995 but reformed in 2006 and had been going ever since, and were set to play North America this fall, including Chicago’s Dark Waves festival.

Rest easy, Douglas.