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

"Frontier(s)" DVD (director: Xavier Gens)

Under a shaky facade of political awareness and portending France's return to right-wing politics, sadistic French splatter-torture film "Frontier(s)" succeeds only in melding "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" with "Saw" or "Hostel". Sure, it's gritty, dirty, and absolutely packed with buckets of blood and hacked limbs, but the story feels awfully familiar. And the mid-film melodrama of a love confession is silly and totally unnecessary.

Set in modern-day France, a team of young Parisian thieves, while on the run to Amsterdam, aim to relax for a night in a roadside "hotel" and meet some lovely lasses who aren't shy about "tending their needs", and for free. Forward a bit (not a problem, as the sex scenes aren't very impressive) and our protagonists end up in an abandoned mine system in the middle of nowhere. They are pursued, tortured, and imprisoned by a former Nazi war criminal and his hackneyed "family", with an aim to create a "pure race". Blood, guts, torture, grime, chains, pigs, circular saws, a nasty Achilles-tendon snapping...you get all this. Too bad there's not much else here to recommend. (Lions Gate)

"Season In Hell: Evil Farmhouse Torture" DVD (director: Elliot Passantino)

This low-rent "Texas Chainsaw" knock-off has so little going for it. Where do I begin? The goofy redneck farmer is reminiscent of a mix between Billy Bob Thornton in "Swingblade" and Larry The Cable Guy. But his accent comes and goes. And the overwhelming (and overbearing) use of digital effects is annoying, perhaps covering up some bigger mistakes in the filming.

The acting is terrible, the plot barely exists, the characters lack any depth, and, with the over-reliance on psychedelic effects, "Season In Hell" is a truly tedious experience. I could go on. Even the tortured girls in the basement are annoying, and, dare I say, deserve what they get. I could barely get through this one. (World Wide Multi Media)

"The Blood Shed" DVD (director: Alan Rowe Kelly)

Some choice review quotes on the back of the package from Rue Morgue and Fangoria do not a movie make. My question is..what's the point in re-making a classic film, if you have little or nothing to add? My point of contention with "The Blood Shed" is that it's essentially a lower budget clone of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2", sans the shock value and nightmarish moods. .

Inbred cannibal hillbillies host a house of horrors, and their unsuspecting caged prey are their neighbors! Well, the "family" isn't so shocking, nor are they convincing. The gore effects are worthy, if not spectacular nor over-the-top, but everything else here screams "third gen rip-off" to me. Director Alan Rowe Kelly is the highlight, easily, portraying Beeftina Bullion -- the Shirley Temple-acting "daughter" of the family. Truly bizarre (especially since Kelly is a 6'2" male)! Kelly is great, but the rest of this film isn't. (Southpaw Pictures via MVD VIsual)

Alan Rowe Kellyspace

Buckethead - "Young Buckethead Vol.1 + Vol.2" DVDs

This set of old 8mm films from the early 90's captures one of the world's most unique and talented guitarists in his earlier years. With bootleg-quality live concerts by his old band Deli Creeps (who were little more than 90's rock with a ferociously avante guitarist), this stuff is necessary only to completists, or those looking for a deeper peek into the mysterious past and personality of this oddball barnyard virtuoso. Other bits here include backstage banter, an outdoor 'interview' (which goes nowhere and only serves to show Brian, err, Buck's affinity for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and a weird bedroom keyboard solo. The highlight is easily an extended solo guitar improv by Buckethead (in character) filmed at a family reunion in 1991, which displays some incredible riffs and guitar pyrotechnics. Of dubious quality otherwise. (Avabella via MVD Video)