The underground has lost one of its true lifers.
Impetigo guitarist Mark Sawickis has passed away at the age of 58. An original member of the Illinois goregrind pioneers, Sawickis played on every Impetigo release, including the cult full-lengths Ultimo Mondo Cannibale (1990) and Horror Of The Zombies (1992) — records that helped define the raw, horror-soaked extremity of early death/grind.
Beyond the riffs and the gore-drenched samples, Sawickis was widely respected as a walking encyclopedia of underground metal and a genuinely warm presence in a scene that often thrives on darkness. As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from musicians and longtime scene veterans who knew him not just as a pioneer, but as a friend.
Anders Jakobson (Nasum / Axis Of Despair) shared a heartfelt remembrance:
“I am deeply saddened by the news of Mark Sawickis’ passing — one of the true underground legends. I bought the first LP by Impetigo, ‘Ultimo Mondo Cannibale,’ during a weird night sale at a local record store and fell in love with their sludgy death/grind drenched in references I didn’t yet understand.
In 1999 I met Mark at the Milwaukee Metal Fest when Nasum toured the USA for the first time. Or rather, Mark met me — he introduced himself. We’d never been in touch before, but as an underground connoisseur of biblical proportions, he seemed to know everything. We sat down in the Relapse room and talked. I don’t remember the details, but I remember having a great time.
We may have exchanged a few emails after that, but I never had a proper relationship with him. I sort of miss that now. Seeing Facebook covered in tributes makes it clear he was a standout guy. I’m happy I got to know him, even if only for one conversation in the summer of 1999.”
Alex Bouks (Immolation / ex-Incantation) kept it simple and heartfelt:
“R.I.P. to my old friend and underground legend Mark Sawickis. This is a sad day and huge loss.”
Perra Karlsson (In Aeternum / Nominon) added:
“I’m lost for words… Mark was one of the most genuine underground OGs I have ever met. Rest in peace. I’ll miss you, brother — our late-night conversations and random ‘Hey, what’s up!?’ messages.”
Death metal legends Autopsy also issued a powerful statement:
“If you know anything about the death metal/grind underground, Mark Sawickis and Impetigo should be no stranger to you — not to mention the incredible Uni-Force Zine, which Mark also helmed.
The impact and influence they had still ripples and bleeds through the scene today, as it rightfully should.
Autopsy and Impetigo share a connection going back to 1987 when we first started corresponding, and the news of Mark’s passing is truly crushing.
We send love and support to Mark’s family, friends, and bandmates — and urge you to crank up some Impetigo loud enough to make your neighbors wonder if they should call the authorities.
R.I.P. Mark. You will be missed immensely.”
With Impetigo, Mark Sawickis helped shape a strain of extreme music that was unapologetically raw, grotesque, and fiercely underground. Decades later, that influence still echoes through death metal and grindcore worldwide.
Rest in power, Mark. The tape-trading halls of the beyond just got a little louder.
