Andy Williams, Every Time I Die Guitarist and Pro Wrestler, Dead at 48
What's happening
Andy Williams, the founding rhythm guitarist of metalcore band Every Time I Die, has died at age 48. Williams was also known for his professional wrestling career in All Elite Wrestling under the ring name The Butcher.
Who's involved
Andy Williams was a founding member of Every Time I Die, a Buffalo-based metalcore band formed in 1998 that became a fixture of the metal scene for over two decades. In wrestling, he performed in AEW as The Butcher, working primarily as part of a tag team with fellow wrestler The Blade.
Why it matters
Williams' death marks a significant loss to the metalcore community and the professional wrestling world, where he successfully carved out a second career after his tenure with Every Time I Die. His dual accomplishment in both music and wrestling demonstrated the versatility and athleticism required to excel across seemingly disparate performance disciplines.
The story
Andy Williams, the founding rhythm guitarist of the metalcore band Every Time I Die, has died at age 48, according to Rolling Stone. Williams co-founded the Buffalo, New York-based band in 1998 and remained a core member throughout much of the group's 24-year existence.
Every Time I Die built a devoted following in the metalcore scene, operating primarily through the Ferret Music label for the first decade of their career before signing with Epitaph Records in 2008. The band's line-up was historically anchored by brothers Keith Buckley on vocals and Jordan Buckley on guitar, with Williams providing the rhythm guitar foundation alongside bassist Stephen Micciche, who maintained his position with the group for 15 of the band's 24 years.
Beyond his contributions to metalcore, Williams successfully transitioned into professional wrestling, adopting the ring name The Butcher. He competed in All Elite Wrestling, where he developed a reputation as a skilled performer, most notably working as one-half of a tag team alongside fellow wrestler The Blade. This dual career path was uncommon in either field, as the physical demands and technical requirements of both professional music performance and competitive wrestling required distinct skill sets.
Williams' career trajectory reflected the evolving nature of heavy music in the 21st century, where musicians increasingly pursued supplementary ventures in entertainment and athletics. His ability to maintain both a position in an active touring band and develop a credible wrestling presence demonstrated his dedication to performance across multiple mediums.
The loss comes as the metalcore community continues to process the impact of key figures from the genre's formative era. Every Time I Die disbanded in early 2024, marking the end of an important chapter in American metalcore history that Williams helped establish and sustain for more than two decades.