Type O Negative emerged in 1989 as a pioneer of the gothic metal genre. Most gothic metal bands that emerged during that time were from Scandanavia or Northern England, but Type O Negative was based in Brooklyn, New York, and is credited as helping spread gothic metal within the US. The original members of the band included Peter Steele as lead vocalist and bassist, Kenny Hickey as co-lead vocalist and lead guitarist, Josh Silver as keyboardist and backing vocals, and Sal Abruscato as the drummer. Abruscato left in 1993 following the release of the band's third album "Bloody Kisses." He was replaced by Johnny Kelly who remained with the band until Steele died of complicated health issues on April 14, 2010. Following his death, Type O Negative formally broke up with members stating that the band could not continue without Steele, who had served as the frontman since the formation of the band over two decades earlier.