Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, Dave Brockie a.k.a. Oderus Urungus (pictured left), vocalist of GWAR, selects his faves.
5. Cancer Bats, Dead Set on Living
“We had the pleasure of touring with these Canucks and I liked them so much that I actually got their album. Dirty stoner hatred for angry people, the Bats deliver a solid thrust.”
4. The Cory Smoot Experiment, When Worlds Collide
“Cory Smoot, a.k.a. Flattus Maximus, was an incredible musician, and another metal legend we lost much too young. The final act from the man behind the mask is a dark and brooding metal masterpiece.”
3. Municipal Waste, The Fatal Feast
“The Waste’s Nuclear Blast debut never disappoints as the world’s new Ramones (hopefully without the cancer) continue their reign of fun.”
2. Lamb of God, Resolution
“Resolution is what this band has displayed over their long career in metal, and they continue deliver goods of the highest level. Best of luck, Randy!”
1. Pig Destroyer, Book Burner
“The rise of the Pig continues with this savage return to the primal. Unrelentingly fast, conceptually acute, this record is simply mind-blowing.”
Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe will perform with Cannabis Corpse at Cory Smoot’s memorial concert on January 7. The concert for the former Gwar guitarist–also known as Flattus Maximus–who passed away last month, will be held at the Canal Club in Richmond, Virginia.
Blythe has been called in following the departures from Cannabis Corpse of vocalist Andy “Weedgrinder” Horn and guitarist Nick “Nikropolis” Poulos.
“Cory was the guitarist in Gwar who passed away recently and was a friend of mine who recorded my guest vocals on the Jasta CD,” Blyhte commented. “He leaves a pregnant wife behind [futureusgallerytheir first child] and a mortgage.
“Cory didn’t have life insurance and his wife is going to need every penny she can get with a kid on the way and bills to pay. Although Gwar is a relatively large band and are doing all they can for Mrs. Smoot, the fact of the matter nobody is rich and times will be hard.
“My friends in Cannabis Corpse were scheduled to play the benefit show, but suddenly are having lineup difficulties. So what the fuck and why not?
“On January 7, Cannabis Corpse WILL play — but I will be singing!
“Come check out some brutal death metal for a good cause! I’ll be working on my death metal voice ’till then, pretending to smoke weed and getting deeper than fuck. I’m quite confident I can properly do the Cannabis Corpse tunes justice AND add something new. Now I need a ‘weed metal’ name!”
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Gwar’s cover of Dayglo Abortions’ 1993 anti-censorship anthem “Isn’t This Disgusting,” which was the last Gwar recording to feature late-guitarist Cory Smoot—better known as Flattus Maximus—has been released on iTunes. All proceeds from the track will got to the Smoot Family Fund. The single will be included on the Dayglo Abortions tribute album, which will be released next year.
Gwar frontman Oderus Urungus had the following to say about the track:
“The Dayglos have always been one of my favorite bands ever since we played a show with them 25 years ago,” he said. “So when we heard about this project we were completely stoked, not just with the idea, but the song selected for us. It pretty much sums up my whole attitude. But I had no idea it would the last time I worked with Cory Smoot in the studio. This track has Cory’s last studio leads, and as usual, they fucking rip. Cory may have left us but his music will live forever. CRANK IT!”
]]>The Smoot family and Slave Pit Inc. released a statement regarding the official cause of death of guitarist Cory Smoot. Cory had played the character of Flattus Maximus for over 10 years, and was discovered dead on the band’s tour bus on November 3 of this year. He was 34.
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 right here. Also, at The Canal Club in Richmond, Virginia, on January 7, there will be a record release show, featuring Mensrea, Cannabis Corpse, DBX and more, for Cory’s solo record, When Worlds Collide, which he had completed working on just prior to his death. The album will be released early next year, with all proceeds going to the Smoot Family Fund.
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A memorial show has been announced for Gwar guitarist Cory Smoot, known in the band as Flattus Maximus, who passed away earlier this month. There will be several bands performing, all of whom were friends with Smoot’s. The full lineup is: Mensrea, Cannabis Corpse, Antietam 1862, Dave Brockie Experience, Throne from Royalty, and Make Like Murder.
The show is also in celebration of the release of Smoot’s solo record, which was finished shortly before his death. It will be available for purchase at the event for $10, and is also available digitally at Amazon.com.
A raffle will also be held with prizes set to include Schecter guitars, merchandise by several bands, and much more.
All proceeds from the show will go directly to the Smoot family.
]]>Details have been announced for the memorial service of Gwar guitarist Cory Smoot, known in the band as Flattus Maximus, who passed away last week. The service will take place this Friday, November 11, at the Bennett Funeral Home Chesterfield Chapel, located at 14301 Ashbrook Parkway in Chesterfield, VA. Proceedings begin at 4 p.m. and are open to the public.
Instead of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made to the Smoot Family Fund. Details on how to donate will be released shortly.
Gwar have announced that they are canceling two dates on their current tour in order to attend the service. The performances affected are November 10 in Medford, OR and November 11 in San Francisco. Tickets for both dates will be refunded at the point of purchase. The remainder of the band’s tour will continue as scheduled. Dates below:
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’s Oderus Urungus, a.k.a. Dave Brockie, has issued the following statement about the passing of guitarist Cory Smoot, who went by Flattus Maximus in the band:
“After a restless night spent hurtling through the desolate Canadian wilderness, I crawled from my bunk on the tour bus to face reality, grudgingly aware that the the dark dream that gripped us would not fade with the day. We have lost a brother, a husband, a son, and one of the most talented musicians that ever slung an ax. Cory Smoot, longtime lead guitar player for the band Gwar, has passed at the age of 34.
“As the singer of Gwar and one of his best friends, I feel it is my duty to try and answer some of the questions that surround his tragic and untimely death. I know the sense of loss and pain is far greater in scope than in the insulated environment of a band on tour, and I will do my best to provide what clarity and comfort I can.
“The most glaring question is how? And unfortunately that is the hardest question to answer. The truth will not be known until the medical officials have finished their work. All I can do is relate what we saw with our own eyes.
“The last time I saw Cory was after our show in Minneapolis on Weds. night. It was a great show at First Avenue in Minneapolis, one of our favorite places to play. Cory was happy. He was excited about the band and especially the new studio he was building in the Slave Pit back in Richmond. He was deeply in love with his wife, Jamie, and was busily planning their family and future in the beautiful home they had. As usual, after some autographs and banter, I was probably the first person in their bunk as we got ready for a big drive into Canada, and Cory and the rest of the guys were not far behind. As I fell into the slumber that only playing Gwar shows can induce, everything seemed right in the world.
“We found Cory the next morning as we collected passports for a border crossing. He was in his bunk, unresponsive, and it quickly was clear that he was dead. It was without a doubt the most horrible moment of my life. That’s all I can say about it.
“Within moments everybody was off the bus, standing in a wind-swept parking lot in the middle of nowhere, trying to come to grips with the shock of it. First the ambulance arrived, and then the police, but there was nothing that could be done other than fully investigate the scene and remove Cory with care and respect.
“We are completely devastated and shocked beyond belief. One night we had our friend and colleague, happy and healthy in the middle of our best tour in years- and the next morning, so suddenly, he was gone. Never have I seen starker proof of the fragility of life.
“Cory will be transported home to Richmond over the next few days, and an announcement regarding services will be made soon. We ask everyone to respect the families wish for privacy, and especially to keep his wife, Jamie, in your thoughts and prayers.
“As we work our way through these difficult days the question is—what will Gwar do? After a lot of consideration, we have decided to carry on with the tour. Although the great temptation would be to return home, curl into a fetal position, and mourn, we can’t do that. First off, Cory wouldn’t want that. He would want us to go on and would be pissed if we didn’t. Plus we know the fans don’t want us to quit. They are going to want a chance to come to grips with their loss, and there is no better place to do that than at a Gwar show. Though it’s hard to believe, I think we all would feel a lot worse if we stopped. For better or worse we have to see this through.
“That doesn’t mean that Cory will make his final journey without us. When the arrangements have been finalized, Cory’s best friend and Gwar’s music tech Dave ‘Gibby’ Gibson, and myself will return home to attend the services and pay the proper respects to our comrade.
“Out of respect to Cory, we have officially retired the character of Flattus Maximus. Flattus has decided to return to his beloved ‘Planet Home,’ and will never return to this mudball planet again. And this is a sadder place for that.
“Just the other day I heard Cory tell a story about how some 20 years ago he was 14 years old, at his first Gwar show, grabbing at the rubber feet of our then-current Flattus, and how blown away he was at the fact that now HE was the one getting his feet pulled by the same kid that he used to be. Cory was always in awe of the patterns of life and went through it with a wide-eyed amazement that translated through his playing. I’ve never known anyone who could pick up literally any instrument and rock it the first time he touched it, and more than that make it look easy. Behind that rubber monster outfit, and sometimes even obscured by it, was one of the most talented and beautiful people I have ever known. I know everyone who’s life was touched by Cory truly loved him, as do we, his bandmates and brothers.
“There should be some kind of announcement soon regarding services, etc. It would be great to have a memorial show at some point soon, where some of the bands that Cory worked with could come together and show their love for this truly amazing man who left us all too soon and will be sorely missed by many, many people.”
]]>Gwar guitarist Cory Smoot (pictured left), better known as Flattus Maximus, has died, according to the band’s Dave Brockie, who goes by Oderus Urungus. Smoot was found dead this morning as they prepared to cross into Canada while on their Return of the World Maggot Tour. In a statement, Brockie said:
“It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of Gwar must announce the passing of their long time 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.”
Revolver‘s sister magazine, Guitar World, conducted Smoot’s final interview last month, available for reading here.
The staff of Revolver wishes to extend our thoughts to his family, friends, and former bandmates during this time. R.I.P.
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