Rigor Mortis (band): Difference between revisions

Rigor Mortis
Rigor Mortis
	Rigor Mortis in 2014
Background information
Also known as	Wizards of Gore
Origin	Dallas–Ft. Worth, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Thrash metal
Years active	1983–1991, 2005–2013
Labels	Capitol, Interscope
Past members	Harden Harrison; Casey Orr; Bruce Corbitt; Mike Scaccia; Doyle Bright

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Rigor Mortis was an American thrash metal band that formed in November 1983^[1]^[2] in the Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas metroplex.

History

Two schoolmates, Harden Harrison (drums) and Casey Orr (bass), formed the band when they met Mike Scaccia (guitar). The three young men shared an interest in horror/gore films and very heavy music. With Bruce Corbitt on vocals, they created some of the heaviest thrash metal at the time often flirting with death metal. They were also one of the only major thrash bands from Texas and virtually created the underground metal scene there. The band was signed by Capitol Records in 1987.

In 2005, the original lineup reunited and performed at Ozzfest 2008 in Texas. In 2009, Rigor Mortis played in Germany at the Keep It True Festival.

Mike Scaccia also played guitar with industrial metal band Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Lard, and others.^[3] Casey Orr plays bass in the shock rock band Gwar as the character Beefcake the Mighty. Harden Harrison also plays drums with the metal bands Speedealer and Mitra. Bruce Corbitt also sang for the thrash metal band Warbeast (formerly Texas Metal Alliance). Former Rigor Mortis vocalist/guitarist Doyle Bright also played guitar in the metal band Hallows Eve. He currently performs vocals and guitars in the band SOG.

On December 23, 2012, the band's guitarist Mike Scaccia died from a heart attack while performing onstage.^[4]^[5]^[6]

On October 6, 2014, Rigor Mortis released their final album Slaves to the Grave, which had been recorded in February 2012 at Ministry's 13th Planet Studios in El Paso. With no label interested in the album, Rigor Mortis successfully crowdfunded the new album by raising $22,838 from fan pre-orders to self-release the final album.^[7]^[8]

After years of battling with cancer, Corbitt died on January 25, 2019, at the age of 56.^[9] The remaining members perform Rigor Mortis music under the moniker Wizards of Gore in tribute to Mike Scaccia.

Musical style

The band made the transition from speed metal to thrash metal to death metal.^[2] The music on the self-titled debut album is described as technically demanding and "furiously fast". The lyrics mostly describe horror stories, inspired by films such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre or A Nightmare on Elm Street. The band sees their songs as "little tales of death and doom, with the purpose of entertaining people". The EP Freaks featured Doyle Bright as the new singer, who "sounds exactly like his predecessor".^[10]

Band members

Timeline

Select discography

1986: Demo 1986
1988: The Decline of the Western Civilization Part 2 (The Metal Years) Soundtrack (Capitol)
1988: Demons Demo
1988: Rigor Mortis (Capitol) - Released on July 19, 1988
1989: Freaks EP (Metal Blade)
1991: Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth (Triple X)
1991: "Psycho Therapy" on Gabba Gabba Hey ‒ Ramones tribute album (Triple X)
2014: Slaves to the Grave
2018: Freaks Demo '89

References

^ "Rigor Mortis history and biography". metallian metal encyclopedia. January 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Rigor Mortis Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
^ "Rigor Mortis band history and biography". metallian metal encyclopedia. January 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
^ Prato, Greg (December 23, 2012). "Ministry Guitarist Mike Scaccia Dies After Onstage Collapse". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
^ Childers, Chad (December 23, 2012). "Ministry + Rigor Mortis Guitarist Mike Scaccia Dies At 47 After Onstage Collapse". Loudwire. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
^ Kielty, Martin (December 23, 2012). "Ministry guitarist Mike Scaccia dead at 47". Classic Rock. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
^ "RIGOR MORTIS: 'Slaves To The Grave' Album Details Revealed". July 14, 2014.
^ "Rigor Mortis New Album - SLAVES TO THE GRAVE". Indiegogo.
^ "WARBEAST And RIGOR MORTIS Singer BRUCE CORBITT Dead At 56". Blabbermouth.net. January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
^ Herr, Matthias (1993). Matthias Herr’s Heavy Metal Lexikon Vol. 1 (in German). pp. 142ff.

Sources

External links

Rigor Mortis at AllMusic

[1] "Rigor Mortis history and biography". metallian metal encyclopedia. January 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.

[AMG-2] "Rigor Mortis Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved February 12, 2024.

[3] "Rigor Mortis band history and biography". metallian metal encyclopedia. January 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.

[4] Prato, Greg (December 23, 2012). "Ministry Guitarist Mike Scaccia Dies After Onstage Collapse". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 23, 2012.

[5] Childers, Chad (December 23, 2012). "Ministry + Rigor Mortis Guitarist Mike Scaccia Dies At 47 After Onstage Collapse". Loudwire. Retrieved December 23, 2012.

[6] Kielty, Martin (December 23, 2012). "Ministry guitarist Mike Scaccia dead at 47". Classic Rock. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2012.

[7] "RIGOR MORTIS: 'Slaves To The Grave' Album Details Revealed". July 14, 2014.

[8] "Rigor Mortis New Album - SLAVES TO THE GRAVE". Indiegogo.

[9] "WARBEAST And RIGOR MORTIS Singer BRUCE CORBITT Dead At 56". Blabbermouth.net. January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.

[10] Herr, Matthias (1993). Matthias Herr’s Heavy Metal Lexikon Vol. 1 (in German). pp. 142ff.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|American metal band}}
+{{Short description|American thrash metal band}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
-{{for multi|the sign of death|Rigor mortis|the John Entwistle band|John Entwistle#Solo discography|the death metal band|Immolation (band)}}
+{{for-multi|the John Entwistle band|John Entwistle#Solo discography|the death metal band|Immolation (band)}}
-{{Refimprove|date=December 2012}}
+{{More citations needed|date=December 2012}}
 {{Infobox musical artist
-| name            = Rigor Mortis
+| name              = Rigor Mortis
-| image           = Wizards_of_Gore.jpg
+| image             = Wizards_of_Gore.jpg
-| image_upright   = 1.2
+| image_upright     = 1.2
-| landscape       =
+| landscape         = yes
-| alt             =
+| alt               =
-| caption         = Rigor Mortis in 2014
+| alias             = Wizards of Gore
-| background      = group_or_band
+| caption           = Rigor Mortis in 2014
-| origin          = [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Ft. Worth]], [[Texas]], U.S.
+| background        = group_or_band
+| origin            = [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Ft. Worth]], [[Texas]], U.S.
-| genre           = {{flatlist|
+| genre             = [[Thrash metal]]
+| years_active      = 1983–1991, 2005–2013
-* [[Thrash metal]]
+| label             = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
-* [[speed metal]]}}
+| website           =
-| years_active    = 1983–1991, 2005–2013
-| label           = {{flatlist|
+| current_members   =
+| past_members      = Harden Harrison<br/>[[Beefcake the Mighty|Casey Orr]]<br/>[[Bruce Corbitt]]<br/>[[Mike Scaccia]]<br/>Doyle Bright
-* [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
-* [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]}}
-| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
-* [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]]
-* [[Gwar]]}}
-| website         =
-| current_members = Harden Harrison<br/>[[Beefcake the Mighty|Casey Orr]]<br/>[[Bruce Corbitt]]<br/>[[Mike Scaccia]]
-| past_members    = Doyle Bright
 }}
-'''Rigor Mortis''' was an American [[thrash metal|thrash]]/[[speed metal]] band that formed in 1983 in the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas metroplex]].
+'''Rigor Mortis''' was an American [[thrash metal]] band that formed in November 1983<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/rigormortis.php |title=Rigor Mortis history and biography |publisher=metallian metal encyclopedia |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="AMG" /> in the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas metroplex]].
 == History ==
 Two schoolmates, Harden Harrison (drums) and [[Beefcake the Mighty|Casey Orr]] (bass), formed the band when they met [[Mike Scaccia]] (guitar). The three young men shared an interest in horror/[[gore films]] and very heavy music. With [[Bruce Corbitt]] on vocals, they created some of the heaviest thrash metal at the time often flirting with [[death metal]]. They were also one of the only major thrash bands from Texas and virtually created the underground metal scene there. The band was signed by [[Capitol Records]] in 1987.
-In 2005, the original lineup reunited and performed at Ozzfest 2008 in Texas. In 2009, Rigor Mortis played in Germany at the Keep It True Festival.
+In 2005, the original lineup reunited and performed at [[Ozzfest]] 2008 in Texas. In 2009, Rigor Mortis played in Germany at the Keep It True Festival.
+Mike Scaccia also played guitar with [[industrial metal]] band [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]], [[Revolting Cocks]], [[Lard (band)|Lard]], and others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/rigormortis.php |title=Rigor Mortis band history and biography |publisher=metallian metal encyclopedia |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref> Casey Orr plays bass in the [[shock rock]] band [[Gwar]] as the character [[Beefcake the Mighty]]. Harden Harrison also plays drums with the metal bands Speedealer and Mitra. Bruce Corbitt also sang for the thrash metal band Warbeast (formerly Texas Metal Alliance). Former Rigor Mortis vocalist/guitarist Doyle Bright also played guitar in the metal band Hallows Eve. He currently performs vocals and guitars in the band SOG.
-Mike Scaccia also played guitar with [[industrial metal]] band [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]], [[Revolting Cocks]], [[Lard (band)|Lard]], and others.
-Casey Orr also plays bass in the [[shock rock]] band [[Gwar]], as the character [[Beefcake the Mighty]]. He also played bass for Dallas punk rock band The Hellions.  He currently plays for Warbeast.
-Harden Harrison also plays drums with the metal bands Speedealer and Mitra.
-Bruce Corbitt also sang for the [[thrash metal]] band Warbeast (formerly Texas Metal Alliance). The band was signed by [[Phil Anselmo]]'s label [[Housecore Records]] and their debut album ''Krush the Enemy'' was released on April 27, 2010. Warbeast's next release was a split album with Anselmo's solo material titled ''War of the Gargantuas'' and was released on January 8, 2013. Warbeast's second full-length album ''Destroy'' was released in 2013. Their final album, ''Enter the Arena'', was released on August 4, 2017.
-Former Rigor Mortis vocalist/guitarist Doyle Bright also played guitar in the metal band Hallows Eve. He currently performs vocals and guitars in the band SOG.
-Rigor Mortis is featured on the shirt of the creature on the [[Toxic Holocaust]] album ''[[Evil Never Dies]]'' from 2003.
 On December 23, 2012, the band's guitarist Mike Scaccia died from a heart attack while performing onstage.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ministry-guitarist-mike-scaccia-dies-after-onstage-collapse-20121223 | title=Ministry Guitarist Mike Scaccia Dies After Onstage Collapse | publisher=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=December 23, 2012 | access-date=December 23, 2012 | author=Prato, Greg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://loudwire.com/ministry-rigor-mortis-guitarist-mike-scaccia-dies-at-47-onstage-collapse/ | title=Ministry + Rigor Mortis Guitarist Mike Scaccia Dies At 47 After Onstage Collapse | publisher=[[Loudwire]] | date=December 23, 2012 | access-date=December 23, 2012 | author=Childers, Chad}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/ministry-guitarist-mike-scaccia-dead-at-47/ | title=Ministry guitarist Mike Scaccia dead at 47 | publisher=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] | date=December 23, 2012 | access-date=December 23, 2012 | author=Kielty, Martin | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222150803/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/ministry-guitarist-mike-scaccia-dead-at-47/ | archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref>
-On October 6, 2014, Rigor Mortis released their final album ''Slaves to the Grave'', which had been recorded in February 2012 at [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]]'s 13th Planet Studios in El Paso. With no label interested in the album, Rigor Mortis successfully [[crowdfunding|crowdfunded]] the new album by raising $22,838 from fan pre-orders to self-release the final album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rigor-mortis-slaves-to-the-grave-album-details-revealed|title=RIGOR MORTIS: 'Slaves To The Grave' Album Details Revealed|date=July 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rigor-mortis-new-album-slaves-to-the-grave|title=Rigor Mortis New Album - SLAVES TO THE GRAVE|website=Indiegogo}}</ref>
+On October 6, 2014, Rigor Mortis released their final album ''Slaves to the Grave'', which had been recorded in February 2012 at Ministry's 13th Planet Studios in El Paso. With no label interested in the album, Rigor Mortis successfully [[crowdfunding|crowdfunded]] the new album by raising $22,838 from fan pre-orders to self-release the final album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rigor-mortis-slaves-to-the-grave-album-details-revealed|title=RIGOR MORTIS: 'Slaves To The Grave' Album Details Revealed|date=July 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rigor-mortis-new-album-slaves-to-the-grave|title=Rigor Mortis New Album - SLAVES TO THE GRAVE|website=Indiegogo}}</ref>
-After years of battling with cancer, Corbitt died on January 25, 2019, at the age of 56, making him the second member of Rigor Mortis (following Scaccia) to die.<ref>{{cite web|title=WARBEAST And RIGOR MORTIS Singer BRUCE CORBITT Dead At 56|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/warbeast-and-rigor-mortis-singer-bruce-corbitt-dead-at-56/|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=January 25, 2019|date=January 25, 2019}}</ref>
+After years of battling with cancer, Corbitt died on January 25, 2019, at the age of 56.<ref>{{cite web|title=WARBEAST And RIGOR MORTIS Singer BRUCE CORBITT Dead At 56|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/warbeast-and-rigor-mortis-singer-bruce-corbitt-dead-at-56/|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=January 25, 2019|date=January 25, 2019}}</ref> The remaining members perform Rigor Mortis music under the moniker '''Wizards of Gore''' in tribute to Mike Scaccia.
+==Musical style==
-The remaining members perform Rigor Mortis music under the moniker '''Wizards of Gore''' in tribute to Mike Scaccia.
+The band made the transition from [[speed metal]] to [[thrash metal]] to [[death metal]].<ref name="AMG" >{{Cite web |title=Rigor Mortis Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rigor-mortis-mn0000213410 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=AllMusic}}</ref> The music on the self-titled debut album is described as technically demanding and "furiously fast". The lyrics mostly describe horror stories, inspired by films such as ''[[The Texas Chain Saw Massacre]]'' or ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise)|A Nightmare on Elm Street]]''. The band sees their songs as "little tales of death and doom, with the purpose of entertaining people". The EP ''Freaks'' featured Doyle Bright as the new singer, who "sounds exactly like his predecessor".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Herr |first=Matthias |title=Matthias Herr’s Heavy Metal Lexikon Vol. 1 |year=1993 |pages=142ff |language=de}}</ref>
-==Select discography==
-* 1986: ''Demo 1986''
-* 1988: ''The Decline of the Western Civilization Part 2 (The Metal Years) Soundtrack'' (Capitol)
-* 1988: ''Demons Demo''
-* 1988: ''[[Rigor Mortis (album)|Rigor Mortis]]'' (Capitol) - Released on July 19, 1988
-* 1989: ''Freaks EP'' (Metal Blade)
-* 1991: ''Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth'' (Triple X)
-* 1991: "Psycho Therapy" on ''[[Gabba Gabba Hey: A Tribute to the Ramones|Gabba Gabba Hey]]'' ‒ [[Ramones]] tribute album (Triple X)
-* 2014: ''Slaves to the Grave''
-* 2018: ''Freaks Demo '89''
+==Band members==
 ===Timeline===
 <timeline>
@@ Line 132: / Line 107: @@
 </timeline>
+==Select discography==
+* 1986: ''Demo 1986''
+* 1988: ''The Decline of the Western Civilization Part 2 (The Metal Years) Soundtrack'' (Capitol)
+* 1988: ''Demons Demo''
+* 1988: ''[[Rigor Mortis (album)|Rigor Mortis]]'' (Capitol) - Released on July 19, 1988
+* 1989: ''Freaks EP'' (Metal Blade)
+* 1991: ''Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth'' (Triple X)
+* 1991: "Psycho Therapy" on ''[[Gabba Gabba Hey: A Tribute to the Ramones|Gabba Gabba Hey]]'' ‒ [[Ramones]] tribute album (Triple X)
+* 2014: ''Slaves to the Grave''
+* 2018: ''Freaks Demo '89''
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
-===Sources===
+;Sources
 * [http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/brucecorbitt.html History of Rigor Mortis w/ Bruce Corbitt]
 * [http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/rigormortis.htm Voices from the Darkside interview]
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090422034801/http://themetalden.com/index.php?categoryid=10&p2_articleid=6345 The Metal Den interview w/ Bruce Corbitt]
 * http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rigor-mortis-slaves-to-the-grave-album-details-revealed/
+==External links==
+*{{allMusic}}
 {{Authority control}}
 [[Category:1983 establishments in Texas]]
 [[Category:2013 disestablishments in Texas]]
@@ Line 150: / Line 140: @@
 [[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2005]]
 [[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2013]]
-[[Category:Crossover thrash groups]]
 [[Category:American speed metal musical groups]]
-[[Category:American musical quartets]]
+[[Category:Musical quartets from Texas]]

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Artists	MusicBrainz