Former Underoath guitarist Corey Steger dies l Alternative Press

Former Underoath guitarist Corey Steger died in a car accident Wednesday. On Thursday night, ex-Underoath vocalist Dallas Taylor (Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster) confirmed the news on social media.

From 1998 until his departure in 2001, Steger was the lead/rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for Underoath.

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In a lengthy Facebook post, Taylor reveals that Steger was rear-ended in a car accident on Wednesday and died from the injuries he sustained.

“I don’t know how to type this,” Taylor writes on Facebook. “I’m without words. Yesterday [March 17] at around 6:00 p.m. Corey Steger, one of the original founding members of Underoath, was rear-ended in a car wreck and went home to be with the Lord.”

Taylor goes on to mention his own ATV accident in 2016 and how much Steger and his family helped him through that difficult period. At the time of his crash, the Florida Highway Patrol found the four-wheeler on top of Taylor. As a result, Taylor suffered a severe brain injury and trauma to the carotid artery. In 2018, Taylor offered an update on his recovery after having surgery on his eye.

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“Him and his family have had such an impact during my accident and recovery,” Taylor continues on Facebook. “I still remember him washing my hair in ICU just wanting to love on me and be there for me. He is one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known. I really cannot wrap my head around this, and I don’t even know what to type. I love you Corey, you are one of the greatest closest friends I’ve ever known. My heart is completely broken for his wife, kids, and his family if you can please keep them in your prayers.”

On Friday, Underoath also shared a touching tribute to Steger on social media. In the post, Underoath recall the caring bandmate, husband and father Steger was.

“Yesterday, we received news that shook us,” their Facebook statement reads. “Our friend and founding Underoath member Corey Steger died suddenly this week. He was an uncommonly caring person. He was constantly striving to be a better version of himself not just for himself but to be the best example of God’s love to his wife and two children who he loved more than anything. We would not be who we are without him, period. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Godspeed, Corey.”

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Back in 1998, Steger joined the Florida metalcore group as their second guitarist alongside Luke Morton. Before his exit in 2001, Steger toured and played guitar on the band’s first two releases: 1999’s Act Of Depression and 2000’s Cries Of The Past. After his departure, Tim McTague stepped in as lead guitarist/backing vocalist for Underoath.

Underoath’s 1998 performance is available to stream below. Back in 2014, rare footage of one of Underoath’s first-ever shows resurfaced. The video was taken in 1998 when Underoath opened up for Blindside at the Refuge in St. Petersburg, Florida. Most of the songs performed during the set are off of their debut album Act Of Depression. Taylor, drummer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie and former guitarist Morton and ex-bassist Octavio Fernandez are also featured in the video.