Tributes Flow For Alice Springs Metal Musician

Alice Springs-based musician and skateboarder Rowley Hill has died after being caught up in the flooded Todd River.

As the central Australian town copped its heaviest rainfall in 14 years late last week, the usually-dry Todd River began flowing. According to Northern Territory police Hill, 24, and a 30-year-old friend had been riding down the river on inflatable tubes on Thursday night before they hit fast-flowing water.

The 30-year-old male managed to get to the river bank and raise the alarm but Hill’s body was found by police the following morning after an extensive search.

Hill was the drummer for metal band Uncreation, part of the tight-nit Alice Springs metal community and label The Black Wreath.

His Facebook page has now been inundated with memories and tributes, while popular rapper Skank MC took to Twitter.

The Northern Territory scene had already been reeling from the passing of Mitchell Russell, who was the DJ for local hip hop troupe DT3.

He suffered a motorbike accident on 19 December, and the band paid tribute, writing, “Mitchell was an amazing individual who touched the heart of whoever he came in contact with, so talented and determined and loved music more then words can describe and we were so proud of everything he helped us accomplish and with both music, sport and life he has a highlight reel of achievements that some could only dream of.”

A fundraising show held at Discovery Darwin early this year raised $15,000 for the Russell family.