LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe performed with CANNABIS CORPSE at the Cory Smoot (GWAR) memorial concert on Saturday, January 7 at The Canal Club in Richmond, Virginia.
Blythe‘s appearance with CANNABIS CORPSE was a one-off event following the recent departures of the band’s vocalist Andy “Weedgrinder” Horn and guitarist Nick “Nikropolis” Poulos.
Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below. Source: Blabbermouth.net
GWAR and the family of Cory Smoot have released a statement regarding the official cause of the guitarist’s death. Cory had played the character of Flattus Maximus for over ten years, and was discovered dead on the band’s tour bus on November 3 of this year. He was 34 years old.
Stated North Dakota coroner William Masselo, MD: “We have finalized the autopsy report and death certificate. I have determined that Cory died from a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease.”
The band, which will continue as a four-piece until the current tour schedule is complete, has officially retired the character of Flattus Maximus, and has announced no plans regarding a new GWAR-tarist.
Metal Blade and GWAR have since set up the Smoot Family Foundation to raise funds for Cory‘s wife, Jaime, and their unborn child. Donations can be made here.
MENSREA, CANNABIS CORPSE and DAVE BROCKIE EXPERIENCE are among the artists who will perform at the upcoming Cory Smoot memorial concert, set to take place on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at The Canal Club in Richmond, Virginia.
For more information, go to this location.
Smoot joined GWAR in 2002 and first appeared on the band’s 2004 album “War Party”. He was the fifth guitarist to play the character of Flattus Maximus, known by his red face, white dreadlocks, dinosaur-head shoulder pads and reptile feet.
Born August 25, 1977, Smoot previously played in metal bands MISGUIDED and LOCUS FACTOR and continued to play with MENSREA, in addition to establishing his own solo project, THE CORY SMOOT EXPERIMENT.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
METAL BLADE has issued the following:
(These recent pictures of Cory Smoot were taken backstage at NBC Studios on Oct.27th, 2011, as Cory got ready for GWAR’s second appearance on Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon.)
Arrangements have been finalized for the memorial service for Cory Smoot AKA Flattus Maximus. The service will take place this Friday November 11th at the Bennett Funeral Home Chesterfield Chapel, located at 14301 Ashbrook Parkway in Chesterfield, VA. The private service begins at 4:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that contributions be made to the “Smoot Family Fund”. Contact Smootfamilyfund@gmail.com
GWAR will have to cancel two performances on their current tour, so they can attend the services. Thursday November 10th in Medford, OR and Friday November 11th in San Francisco, CA are the dates that are affected. Tickets for both dates will be refunded at point of purchase. The complete remainder of the tour with Every Time I Die, Ghoul and Warbeast will resume as scheduled Saturday November 12th at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, and runs through Sunday November 27th at Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT.
GWAR ON TOUR
11/12 West Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
11/13 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
11/14 Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
11/15 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
11/16 Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
11/18 Austin, TX @ East Side Drive In
11/19 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
11/20 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
11/21 New Orleans, LA @ The Hangar
11/22 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
11/23 Tampa, FL @ Green Iguana Stadium
11/25 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
11/26 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
11/27 New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
GWAR frontman Dave Brockie (a.k.a. Oderus Urungus) has released the following statement to MetalSucks:
“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. Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing. There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred. At this point there is no word on arrangements and the disposition of the remainder of GWAR‘s current North American tour, nor are there any details regarding long-term plans. 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. We ask that our fans and the media be respectful of our request for privacy for those that have suffered this terrible loss. A full statement will be coming in the next day or so, in the meantime please give your thoughts and your prayers to Cory, his family, and all the people that love him.”
Cory joined GWAR in September 2002. Being a talented producer, he lent his technical skills to the recording of “War Party”, and co-produced, as well as co-mixed with Devin Townsend (STEVE VAI, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) GWAR‘s 2006 release, titled “Beyond Hell”. The two albums were recorded at Karma Studios, owned and operated by Smoot.
Smoot was the longest-running Flattus and was in the videos for “War Party”, “Bring Back The Bomb”, “Womb With A View”, “School’s Out” and “Eighth Lock”. Smoot was considered by GWAR fans to be the “true Flattus“, as he was the longest-serving person to portray the character in GWAR history. Smoot also produced the follow-up to “Beyond Hell”, “Lust In Space”, along with other members of GWAR, and even sang lead vocals on the track “Release The Flies”. GWAR‘s latest release, “Bloody Pit Of Horror”, features a 12-minute epic of four songs strung together, which was largely the brainchild of Smoot. Originally he wrote the music for a solo project of his, but by the suggestion of Dave Brockie, it was reworked to become new GWAR material.
Below is a video interview with Cory Smoot conducted on August 12, 2010 at the Brutal Assault XV festival in the Czech Republic.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 