On Sunday 21 December last year, musician and artist John Thomas Bratland – best known as Jontho from Ragnarok – passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 48. Friday 16 January will be a special day at the crematorium in Sarpsborg, when John Thomas Bratland is laid to rest, and the family has decided that the ceremony will be streamed so that everyone who wishes can follow it.
Jontho is a great loss to the metal scene in Norway. He was always a pleasant guy who took the time for a chat and a toast when you met him out on the town or at a concert. Not least, he had Ragnarok, which he had been running since 1994. Jontho has said that when he dies, Ragnarok dies as well.
Friends and fans are therefore invited when Jontho is laid to rest on Friday 16 January at the crematorium in Sarpsborg. The exact time and place will be announced later.
“It will be a funeral exactly as John Thomas wanted it. The Ragnarok banner will hang inside the crematorium, and his coffin will also be draped with a Ragnarok banner. In addition, music by Ragnarok and other metal will be played. We’ve been clear that this ceremony is to honour our big brother and what he created through his music,” his brother Tom tells Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad.
In connection with this, the family has set up a Spleis fundraiser, where the contributions will go towards the funeral and unforeseen expenses. If you want to contribute, you can find the fundraiser here: https://www.spleis.no/project/477229
In addition, the drum kit that Jontho Panthera has used in Ragnarok since the 90s is being sold. It has been used on tour and for album recordings. The kit is a Pearl Masters Custom Maple: 8–10–12–14–16″ toms, 2 x 20″ bass drums, Mapex snare, cymbals, hardware and rack stand included. Various drum parts are also included, such as some unused hardware, drumsticks, heads etc. The kit shows signs of many years of use. It is located in Sarpsborg and must be picked up there. For the time being, it is possible to try the kit where it stands. The asking price is NOK 30,000. Please contact his brother Tom Bratland if you are interested.
Rest in peace, Jontho.
About The Author
