Eric Cook, guitarist for the progressive metal band Lethal, has died of cancer, Blabbermouth.net reports.

Based in Kentucky -- where Eric and his bassist brother, Glen, founded the band in 1982 -- Lethal released two albums before calling it quits in 1996. The first, Programmed, arrived via Metal Blade Records in 1990, and according to Blabbermouth, it was seen as a "metal classic all the world over."

The EP Lethal followed in 1994, and in 1995, the band returned with its final full-length, Poison Seed. After a lengthy hiatus, the Cook brothers reunited with singer Tom Edward Malicoat and guitarist David McElfresh to play Chicago Powerfest in 2007.

That same year, Lethal played their first-ever European show, appearing at the Keep It True festival. Responding to news of Cook's death, event organizer Oliver Weinsheimer said he's in "a state of shock."

"Eric was one of the nicest musicians I ever worked with and a real gentleman," Weinsheimer said. "The whole next Keep It True will be dedicated to his honor and we will try to arrange a final farewell/tribute LETHAL show for Keep It True 2014. This is something he deserves for all the beautiful music and joy he gave to us."

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Watch Lethal Perform "Programmed"

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