Rigor Mortis - “Rigor Mortis” CD

Classic thrash

The legendary debut album from Texas’ infamous thrash metal innovators has been at last reissued, with an added bonus track for fans (the punk-tinged “Spivey”). Originally released way back in 1988, Rigor Mortis (whose members would later go on to further notoriety with bands like Gwar and Ministry) dared to fuse ultra-speedy thrash metal with their gore movie fascination. Tracks like “Wizard Of Gore” or “Re-Animator” hold their inspirations proudly on their sleeves, and they obviously had a lot of fun doing it. Kudos for not taking themselves too seriously.

Coming around at roughly the same time as Slayer, Rigor Mortis mined much the same territory, never receiving quite the acclaim as their Bay Area brothers, but producing at least as heavy a din. Production on “Rigor Mortis” is clean, thanks to Skinny Puppy producer Dave Ogilvie’s mix, but the real treat here is the band’s skill at lightning-fast, yet clean instrumentation. Vocalist Bruce Corbitt has a raspy growl, but it never gets to the point of going all “Cookie Monster”, and guitarist Mike Scaccia had some of the speediest guitar riffs I have ever heard. This is old-school thrash metal, pure and unadulterated, and one of the genre’s most beloved templates.

Unequivocally a big influence on many a death metal act, Rigor Mortis’ debut is a recording that may not get it’s full due, but certainly has a place in many a metalhead’s heart. 

official Rigor Mortisbook

The Punk Vault and MXV Photography

Long-time friend and ally of Goatsden, MXV (and curator of the famous Punk Vault), now is offering his professional concert photography for fans and collectors.

The site already has superb live photos for sale of artists like Skinny Puppy, Ohgr, Down, Public Image Limited, Jello Biafra, Social Distortion, Descendents, Adicts, Fishbone, Doro, Weedeater, Public Enemy, Weezer, Damned, Tesco Vee, Thrill Kill Kult, Ministry, Naked Raygun, Korn, The Prodigy, Cradle Of Filth, Anthrax, Ted Nugent, Billy Idol, Slash, System Of A Down, Disturbed, Gwar, TSOL, X, KMFDM, Dead Milkmen, Jerry Lee Lewis, and tons more. Check his page at:

MXV Photography

And while you're out and about, check his review site/blog at:

Punk Vinyl

"I Spill Your Guts" DVD (director: James Balsamo)

This ultra-micro indie trash film follows closely in the footsteps of director Balsamo's previous film, "Hack Job", as it also features celebrity cameos from Dave Brockie (aka Oderus Urungus of Gwar), Lloyd Kaufman (of Troma), and Debbie Rochon. As well, we get Andrew W.K. making a brief and bloody appearance. Anyway, in "I Spill Your Guts", a greedy military veteran double-crosses his war-hero friend, leaves him for dead, and steals his glory. The friend exacts his revenge by becoming a sort of undead serial killer.

Viewers will undoubtedly be pleased to see plenty of bouncy (usually pierced-nippled) breasts, limb hackings, and gallons of gore. The soundtrack is jam-packed with death metal and industrial sounds, almost to excess. Sure, the acting, dialogue, and storyline are all pretty forgettable and awful, but this is a fun film and made with tongue thoroughly in cheek. Maybe I lost interest, but many fans of sleazy Troma-style cinema will find something of interest in "I Spill Your Guts". (Acid Bath Productions)

"Hack Job" DVD (director: James Balsamo)

Proclaiming on the front to feature Dave Brockie (Oderus Urungus of Gwar), Lloyd Kaufman of Troma, and the luscious Debbie Rochon, this well-meaning indie horror/splatstick comedy has its heart in the right place, but otherwise comes out a real mess. With merely guest appearances from the aforementioned, the other actors within "Hack Job" cannot hold this one up.


The convoluted script, with something about 2 struggling filmmakers who get the ultimate horror script directly from Satan himself, is quite messy, often making no sense, and with a number of unrelated vignettes, it's tough to grasp exactly what's going on. On the other hand, "Hack Job" doesn't seem to take itself seriously anyway, and looks like it was a fun project for the director and team. To it's credit, there are, as promised, a surplus of over-the-top gore and flashy, in-your-face, and bouncy breasts, so "Hack Job" brings what every fan of trashy B-horror expects -- a bloody good time. (Acid Bath Productions)

Devin Townsend Project - "Deconstruction" album

Metal fans worth their weight already know that Vancouver's Devin Townsend is one of the most talented and versatile players in the genre. "Deconstruction" is his newest project, and it corrals players from bands like Soilwork, Opeth, Emperor, Gojira, Dillinger Escape Plan, Gwar, Meshuggah, and others. It's a huge thrash metal concept album-slash-opera, with huge production, bludgeoning riffs, and plenty of humor. (HevyDevy Records)