Former Turbonegro vocalist Hank Von Helvete dead at 49

The former frontman of the Norwegian punk rock band Turbonegro, Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby, has died.

The musician, also known as Hank Von Helvete or Hank from Hell, was just 49, his manager Boye Nythun told Norwegian broadcaster NRK on behalf of Husby's family.

Husby's Instagram account also announced the death: "We kindly ask for your respect to the family and close friends in this moment of tragedy."

The remaining band members also mourned the loss of their former frontman: "We are grateful for the times, the moments and the magic we were able to share with Hans-Erik for Turbonego between 1993 and 2009," an Instagram post from Saturday night read. Husby, it said, had been central to the group.

Hank Von Helvete remains an icon of Norwegian rock and pop culture, it said. "We are proud of what we created together as rock brothers with Turbonegro - the music, the characters, our whole universe."

Husby left the band for good in 2010. He was heavily addicted to drugs at the time and eventually went into therapy. Turbonegro took a break, though since 2011 Tony Sylvester has been the band's lead singer.