The run of terrible news continues with word coming through that Cory Day, frontman of PC Thug, Battletruk and Lord Sword passed away in the early hours of Friday Feb 6th 2021.
A few years previous in 2019, Cory was diagnosed with a rare type of Lymphoma that caused a 21mm tumour in his brain. Cory had fought valiantly undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to combat the tumour.
From all reports, Cory passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Cory was the first person I ever had contact with from the West Coast of Australia. In the early days of Rest Assured in 2002, Cory sent over a copy of his band's CD along with a detailed letter outlining the WA hardcore scene.
That band was PC Thug who had just released the "Warn The Others" EP which Cory fronted. Heavily influenced by the mighty Mid Youth Crisis, the EP reasonated with me immediately and I struck up a friendship with Cory. His enthusiasm for music and all things Western Australia was unbridled.
In 2004 I made it over to Perth for the first time on tour with Champion and met Cory in person. He was as friendly and welcoming as he was in his correspondance. Cory was like a proud parent, all to happy to show off his family.
Soon after Cory would emerge with his new band Battletruk, embracing his love for thrash that would see them tour up and down the East Coast of Australia, a dream he always wanted to fulfill.
Battletruk would release two full lengths and two EPs in their existence and during this time members of the band relocated to the other side of the country, including Cory who chose to reside in Sydney.
In 2017, I was fortunate enough to catch Battletruk play a one off reunion / final show in Melbourne for the Brewtality Fest, and true to form Cory absolutely killed it having not practiced with the band beforehand. This would be the last time I'd get to see Cory onstage and he was in his element with a grin from ear to ear.
Not one to rest on his laurels, while in Sydney Cory teamed up with fellow Perth transplants Luke (Hostile Objects / Extortion) and Stooks (Miles Away / Shackles) to form a sludge/doom styled band called Lord Sword.
The band would release their demo in 2015 and the Tombstoned LP the year after, playing often around Sydney gaining a formidible following.
On the Lord Sword facebook page there is a post that simply reads....
"Rest in power, brother. Thrash forever" and you can bet that is exactly what Cory is doing.
Cory was the sort of guy who had an endless amount of friends as he was so damn nice and likeable. He always had time for a chat and took a genuine interest in the lives of others. He will no doubt be sadly missed by many.
I'd like to pass on my condolences to Cory's family, friends, bandmates and the Perth scene who would be devastated by his loss.