Metal Mind Music, a Polish record label, is set to reissue Rigor Mortis vs. The Earth, the vaunted sophomore effort from Dallas’ own Rigor Mortis.
Originally released in 1991, the record was the last studio effort from the band, as founding member Mike Scaccia left to join Ministry. Now comes word that Scaccia, bassist Casey Orr, drummer Harden Harrison and original singer Bruce Corbitt are reuniting for some shows and planning a new album.
Experienced Dallas metal heads will fondly recall the early '80s when Rigor Mortis were one of the first bands to combine thrash metal and hardcore punk. The band’s shows were notoriously violent, bloody affairs where fisticuffs were the norm rather than the exception. Corbitt was replaced by Doyle Bright just in time to record vs. The Earth; and the album didn’t suffer too much from the change, but the metal scene was evolving beyond what Rigor Mortis had to offer and the band members parted ways. Orr was briefly in Ministry, too, and also had stints with Gwar and The Burden Brothers while Harrison was involved in Speedealer.
Now, it seems the original incarnation is ready to see if the area metal scene is more supportive than it once was. Always capable of showing up en masse for selective shows, local metal heads are an unpredictable lot as many an area metal band can testify. In any case, since Rigor Mortis’ debut was reissued in 2004, and with vs. The Earth hitting the streets in August (just around the time of the band's Ozzfest appearance), it’s nice to know that both official releases will be available for the newest generation of disaffected youth. --Darryl Smyers
