GWAR Singer Dave Brockie, aka Oderus Urungus, Dies Aged 50

GWAR frontman Dave Brockie, better known as Oderus Urungus, has died at the age of 50.

The founding member of the iconic metal band was found dead by a roommate at his Richmond, Virginia home yesterday afternoon (Sunday 23rd March). The cause of his death has yet to be revealed.

Former GWAR bassist Mike Bishop (Beefcake The Mighty) told Richmond based Style Weekly: "Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I've known. He was brash sometimes, always crass, irreverent, he was hilarious in every way. But he was also deeply intelligent and interested in life, history, politics and art."

"His penchant for scatological humors belied a lucid wit. He was a criminally underrated lyricist and hard rock vocalist, one of the best, ever! A great front man, a great painter, writer, he was also a hell of a bass guitarist. I loved him. He was capable of great empathy and had a real sense of justice."

Also confirming the sad news, Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe paid tribute to his close friend and fellow Richmond native via a lengthy Instagram post.

Randy wrote: “I got a very sad call tonight from my buddy Chris Bopst, who was one of the original members of GWAR- my friend Dave Brockie, AKA Oderus Urungus, the singer of GWAR, has left the building & taken off back to his home planet.

“He was 50 years old. I do not know details of why he died yet, just that he passed away at home & his roommates found him.”

He continued: “When someone dies, a lot of the time people will say "Oh, he was a unique person, really one of a kind, a true original"- most of these people no idea of what they are talking about- they obviously had never met Dave. Dave TRULY WAS ONE OF A KIND- I can't think of ANYONE even remotely like him. That's VERY HARD TO SAY.”

Randy concluded: “Richmond, VA has lost one of its most creative people. This is a crying shame to me. Thank you Brockie, for all the crazy s*** you did- thank God you existed, so you could do it and I didn't have to.

“It was an honor to know you, to be your Shaky Slave, to serve in the Blood Vomits along side you (let's ride!), and to be soaked by your sweet cuttlefish. RIP Dave Brockie. Oderous, enjoy your trip back home.”

Tony Foresta from fellow Richmond band Municipal Waste also paid tribute on Instagram, writing: "I'm so devastated right now. One of the most fun, brilliant, inspirational and creative people I've ever had the privilege to call a friend has passed. I'm going to miss you so much, pal."

GWAR are set to make an official statement on the news later today.

Dave Brockie founded GWAR in 1984 and he was the only constant and original member of the group throughout its three-decade history. GWAR have released 13 studio albums including, most recently, 2013’s ‘Battle Maximus’.