Rocker Keith Deen has died after losing his battle with cancer. He was 56.

The former vocalist of 1980s Los Angeles-based heavy metal band Holy Terror passed away on Thursday (13Dec12) following a three-month fight against the disease.

Deen's former bandmate Kurt Colfelt has paid tribute to his pal, stating, "With the loss of Keith Deen, a part of me is gone as well."

Colfelt resurrected the band in 2005 and "attempted to get in touch" with Deen about fronting the group again, but he did not reply to his friend's messages.