Extreme metal community has been dealt a heavy blow with the news that John Thomas “Jontho” Bratland, the longtime driving force behind Norwegian black metal stalwarts Ragnarok, has died. The musician passed away on December 21 at the age of 48.
Jontho was a pillar of the Norwegian scene, known for an uncompromising dedication to the dark arts of black metal. While he first made his name as Ragnarok‘s original drummer—providing the rhythmic backbone for the band’s early classic era—he later stepped out from behind the kit to take center stage as the group’s vocalist, bringing a new level of ferocity to their live performances.
His influence extended far beyond a single band. Jontho‘s resume reads like a catalog of underground excellence. In addition to his leadership in Ragnarok, he contributed to a wide array of projects including Endezzma, The Shining Woe, Perdition Hearse, Kharon, Excelsis, Shadow Dancers, and Thoth.
Notably, he performed on the seminal Tsjuder album Demonic Possession (2002) and served as a live musician for high-profile acts such as Taake and Fester, cementing his reputation as a reliable and potent force on stage.
News of his passing has triggered an outpouring of grief from fellow musicians. Thomas Eriksen, the mastermind behind Mork, took to social media to honor his friend and regional compatriot.
“R.I.P Jontho. Had many great and fun times with him over the years,” Eriksen wrote. “I was even asked to fill in on bass for Ragnarok for one show a decade ago. Sad to hear about the passing of a fellow Østfolding.”
