GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot (a.k.a. Flattus Maximus) dead at 34

Cory Smoot, guitarist for the metal band GWAR, was found dead on the group's tour bus early Thursday (Nov. 3) morning. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

The band had, hours earlier, completed a show at the First Avenue club in Minneapolis. As the band attempted to cross the border into Canada, where they were slated for a series of shows, they found Smoot dead.

"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...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," Dave Brockie, the band's lead singer, says in a statement.

Smoot, 34, first joined the band in 2002. He played with as the character name Flattus Maximus.

The band had just recently performed on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." Here's video of that performance.