Robert Dahlqvist, former Hellacopters guitarist, has died

Former guitarist with Swedish rock 'n' roll band the Hellacopters, Robert Dahlqvist, has died.

"It is difficult to find the words right now," the band posted on their Facebook page, "but it is with great sadness we have to announce that Robert 'String' Dahlqvist is dead." He was 40 years old.

Dahlqvist joined the Hellacopters in the late '90s, several years after the band formed in 1994. He went on to record several EPs and albums with the group, including 2000's High Visibility album and By the Grace of God in 2002. The group, which broke up in 2008 after a farewell tour, enjoyed enormous popularity at home and toured heavily overseas, winning fans in many countries.

The group is currently playing several reunion shows in Europe.

Dahlqvist was a formidable on-stage performer and part of the Hellacopters' twin guitar attack with lead singer Nicke Andersson. Dahlqvist continued making music after the Hellacopters disbanded in 2008, releasing several albums with the group Thunder Express and also pursued a solo career.

"It is incredibly difficult to describe with words what 'String' has meant to us," the Hellacopters wrote on Facebook. "Our thoughts go out to all ... especially to his family."