Sweet Cobra Guitarist Mat Arluck Dies of Cancer at Age 39

Posted on Nov 30th 2009 10:30AM by Chris Harris Comments

Mat Arluck, guitarist for Chicago metallers Sweet Cobra, has died at a medical facility in Seattle, where he was receiving cancer treatments. Arluck was first diagnosed with cancer three years ago, and had been battling the disease ever since. He was 39 years old.

"We were definitely a lucky bunch of guys to have him join our band," says Sweet Cobra drummer Jason Gagovski. "He's one of the most honest and amazing people we've met. We've learned a lot from him. We're just thankful that we had him for the time that we did."

Arluck, who also played in the bands Cooler by the Lake, Stabbed by Words and Closing In, did not let his illness stop him from playing with the band, at first. Then, about a year ago, when it became too much for him, he left the fold. He decided he wouldn't be able to accompany the band on a tour with Russian Circles and Pelican but urged the remaining three members to follow through with the trek as planned. In recent years, Arluck underwent several surgeries to remove tumors from his liver and spine.

Arluck's passing comes just as word of mouth is starting to spread about the group. He did contribute music to the group's forthcoming third LP, 'Mercy,' which hits record stores this spring through Black Market Activities.

Sweet Cobra will carry on as a band, just as Arluck would have wanted it. "He would've smacked us around a bit if we'd pussed out," says Gagovski.

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8 Comments

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jgagovski

Dear Chris Harris- There are many incorrect facts in this article. Please fix them- or wait for an official statement from the band before posting. Thanks

December 01 2009 at 2:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ios341

Same breath i say Korn, Tool, Sweet cobra. O.o

November 30 2009 at 7:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
msmike

Right on! A sellout publicity machine and commercial radio "success" do NOT equal good music! So many people with so much to say about something they know NOTHING about!

November 30 2009 at 6:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
grindnoisemayhem

I have no idea who Sweet Cobra are, yet I am well versed in underground metal, be it Morbid Saint or Repulsion. and Oakland, don't be a moron. Anyone who has the faintest interest in underground metal knows who Pelican are.

also, I noticed they're not on the archives. then again, Last Days Of Humanity, one of my favorite goregrind bands, aren't on there either, but that's because as far as I'm concerned, metal archives wouldn't know their metal from a hole in the ground.

November 30 2009 at 6:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ben

if they were good why havent the rest of the world heard of them other than the people in their home town craft.

November 30 2009 at 5:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robert

It sucks that the dude died and so young from cancer. I know the cancer comes from all of the processed food we eat in this country. One thing I echo is the same thing, who in the heck are Sweet Cobra, Cooler by the Lake, Stabbed by Words??? Also, they traveled with who? Russian Circle? Pelican?
I know of Korn, Tool Metallica, A Perfect Circle... and countless others..
I bet the bands were good, but never heard of them. RIP Mr. Mat Arluck!

November 30 2009 at 3:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
What up bitches!

Sweet who? And who are the other band that were listed (Cooler by the Lake, Stabbed by Words and Closing In)?

November 30 2009 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hatch15392

Who is sweet cobra? Is this real?

November 30 2009 at 2:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply