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Obituaries
GWAR guitarist dies
By CMU Editorial | Published on Friday 4 November 2011
The guitarist in American cult metal band GWAR, Cory Smoot, aka Flattus Maximus, has died.
The thrash metal outfit, known for their elaborate sci-fi-esque costumes, obscene lyrics and obvious sense of humour, have been operational with an ever-changing line-up since the mid 1980s. Smoot joined in 2002, taking over the ‘character’ of Flattus Maximus which had been played by various guitarists over the year. As well has having a relatively long stint in the band, he also played an active role in their albums, producing both 2006’s ‘Beyond Hell’ and its follow up ‘Lust In Space’.
Smoot, on tour with his band, was found dead yesterday morning. The cause of his death is as yet unknown, but his passing was confirmed by GWAR frontman Dave Brockie, aka Oderus Urungus, who released a short statement to the Metal Sucks website that reads: “It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their longtime guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot, also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus”.
He added that a more detailed statement regards the circumstances around Smoot’s death and its impact on the band’s touring plans would be released in due course, but “at this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today”.
