Cobra Clutch Guitarist, 24, Dies in Sleep

Thrash-prone hardcore outfit Cobra Clutch is mourning the loss of guitarist Pat O'Brien, who, according to police in Maryland, died in his sleep Friday (May 29) night. While a cause of death has yet to be determined, the results from toxicology tests conducted by local medical examiners are expected back in the coming weeks, and may shed some light on what led to O'Brien's unexpected passing.

According to O'Brien's MySpace, the guitarist was 24-years-old at the time of his death, and is survived by an infant daughter named Violet. He was a fan of ultra-violent horror films and a number of goregrind bands, like XXX Maniak and Pig Destroyer.

O'Brien and the rest of the gore-obsessed band of old school wrestling fans recently wrapped production on its debut album and have been touring the East Coast heavily in recent weeks, playing several gigs with New York hardcore legends Murphy's Law.

O'Brien's death is the second suffered by the heavy metal community in two weeks. Last week, German Viking metallers StrydegoR announced that 20-year-old guitarist Slava Giebel had been killed in a fatal car wreck on May 23, two weeks before the release of the band's debut disc, 'Back On Ancient Traces.'

In a statement posted online, the surviving members of Cobra Clutch reflected that "Its never gonna be the same, bro. All the sh-t we've been through, man. [We] can't believe none of its gonna ever happen again. Playing without you is gonna be the hardest thing [we've] had to do but [we] know that's what you would want."

An outpouring of sorrow and support flooded Cobra Clutch's MySpace page over the weekend, with fans and friends offering their words of condolence.

"I'm really gonna miss your dumb, Food Network-watchin', mootchin' a--, bro," wrote one friend. "Tell Satan I said 'What's up!'" "I'm gonna miss you so much man, I love you brother," wrote another. "You will live in my thoughts and heart forever, rest well."

"This is the most sad, devastating thing that could have happened," wrote another fan. "Everyone loves you and misses you immensely. You were always there for me when I needed you and we had a lot of fun together over these last six years. Its hard to even put into words how heartbroken I am. I love you Patrick, and always will."

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cody

Pat was a GREAT GUY!!! Every time i hung out with him, he filled the room with joy. How dare anyone say ANYTHING about someone they dont know. He had a bigger heart then i could ever have. He loved his daughter more then anything. Religion doesnt matter. Drugs dont matter. All I know is he is gone. and i know that ALL of the fredrick hardcore scene will miss him Serverly. and he will NEVER be forgoten. He was an incredible person. And i know that he is undoubtedly in heaven, watching over his daughter, family, and friends. Rest In Peace, Pat. Things Will Never Be The Same.

June 04 2009 at 9:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TJ

As a physician, I know that 24 year does just "die in his sleep." At his age the only natural ways are a severe seizure or an irregular heart rate/sudden cardiac death. Either condition would give prior symptoms. Irregular heart rates are sometimes difficult to catch because they need to occur during medical testing and inducing them can be tricky.

Now, talk about what really caused his death...drugs and/or alcohol. Sounds like an overdose to me either by the drug it's self or by breathing in his own vomit. When will people learn that there are only two possible outcomes from extreme drug use. One, you get smart and get clean by means other than the cult-like AA/NA route. There are great medications for opoid addicts and programs that use them well. The second way out is death. Make your choice? Top bad for this kid, it was the second.

I hope he found the peace in death he could not find in life.

June 04 2009 at 3:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
navigator823

ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE A MAN...THE REST OF YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!

June 04 2009 at 3:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gregchristlike

everyone is mad at what fnickyfant wrote. everyones saying its people like him that are screwing up the world. but your all doing the same thing by cursing him out and denegrating him. whos the hyprocrite brittany? a majority of christians are carpet munchers? c'mon, you hardly seem like you want the world to be a better place. you dont even know that this person is a christian. he could be someone pulln everyones chain. and if he is, so what? adults can control their emotions, its children who have trouble

June 04 2009 at 2:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PinkySnow

The Bible is the word of God. The Bible dosen't promote rape etc like Brian said. The Bible tells us what happened then, how wicked the people became. and so God had to punish and get rid off them. When you have a bag off apples that are rotten and messes up the entire bag of apples you don't keep it cause you don't want to be mean. you get rid of it cause is no good. People always wants to do what ever they want. You don't govern your life. either God or the Devil governs you spiritually, then carnally your parents, goverment etc etc. You never govern yourself. That's why everything that the Bible prophecied has come to pass. Most of you talk against the only book that was giving to us by the Almighty God, Inspired thru the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us live a great life, but you don't even sit and take the time to read it. You don't ask the Holy Spirit to help understand the message before you read it. You don't have faith. You have no purpose, you have no vision, You don't understand because you don't want to. but soon you will bow down to the Lord. You can say what you want now, but then you going to wish you had listened. READ IF YOU WISH TO SAVE YOURSELF!

Mathew 24:37
37But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

AND YES THERE IS A GOD, THERE IS ETERNAL LIFE OR 2ND DEATH, YOUR CHOICE!, AFTER YOU DIE. YOU WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO TYPE IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE CREATOR ALLOWING YOU TO BREATH.

June 04 2009 at 1:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
REAL

I am a Christian as well and believe in God, but I also believe that we should respect this man and morn with the rest over his passing. A human life is a precious thing and now is not the time to be judging. I pray this man rests in peace

June 04 2009 at 1:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PinkySnow

WHAT fnickyfant, said is 100% correct. I know all of you complaining and gettng offended by it don't understand it...Cause you are all blinded by the same devil that took this young man's life. Sorry to tell you but he dosen't get another chance...but you all do. So why don't you escape from hell right now. And as for the judging part. that is not judging. That's telling the truth so that you all can wake up and don't have the same faith this person had. Sorry you don't like it...But the message accross is not about how you spell it but what' is it trying to tell you. Wake up, Jesus is coming Soon! Repent of your SINS NOW. All the things of this world are temporarily. After you die is eternal. Make sure you pick the right path. I pray that you all wake up and stop been close minded...we aren't preaching religion, cause religion dosen't save...ONLY JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY ONE THAT DIED AND SHED HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD FOR U AND ME, AND 3 DAYS LATER ROSE AGAIN, NOW HE SITS NEXT TO THE FATHER AND SOON HE WILL COME BACK FOR US, HIS BELIEVERS!

June 04 2009 at 1:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jujuda15093

i really feel srry 4 any family member who has 2 go threw dis horrible thing R.I.P

June 04 2009 at 12:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Russell Jones

I'm tired of people who think you have to look or dress a certain way in or to play music or like music.Music is a hobby not a life style. Music was meant to be HEARD not really seen...Video killed the radio star.

June 04 2009 at 12:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
djltb23

hey fnickyfant next time you write something learn how to f*ing spell...oh and didnt you precious lord and savior teach "he who is without flaw cast the first stone". u are a straight up loser HAVE SOME F*CKING RESPECT FOR THE DEAD YOU LOSER!!!

June 04 2009 at 11:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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