Cobalt, an American black metal band from Greeley, Colorado, was founded in 2002 by childhood friends Phil McSorley and Erik Wunder. Initially a solo project under the name Grimness Enshroud, the duo rebranded to Cobalt, aiming for a name that was "basic" and "elemental," allowing for diverse musical directions. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt_%28band%29?utm_source=openai)) Their discography includes critically acclaimed albums like "Eater of Birds" (2007) and "Gin" (2009), the latter dedicated to literary figures Ernest Hemingway and Hunter S. Thompson. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gin_%28album%29?utm_source=openai)) In 2015, McSorley departed, and Charlie Fell joined as the new vocalist. The band's latest release, "Slow Forever" (2016), received widespread acclaim for its innovative blend of black and sludge metal. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Forever?utm_source=openai)) Tragically, Erik Wunder passed away in July 2025 at the age of 42, marking the end of an era for Cobalt. ([songsdetails.com](https://www.songsdetails.com/news/cobalt-mans-gin-frontman-erik-wunder-dies-at-42/?utm_source=openai))