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Review: Rigor Mortis - Slaves to the Grave
Rigor Mortis
www.facebook.com/rigormortis25
Slaves to the Grave

Label: Independent
Year released: 2014
Duration: 48:34
Tracks: 10
Genre: Thrash Metal

Rating:
4.25/5


Review online: January 19, 2015
Reviewed by: Luxi Lahtinen
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4.27/5 (85.45%) (11 Votes)
Review

Slaves to the Grave is the third and last album from legendary Texas thrashers Rigor Mortis. For all intents and purposes, Rigor Mortis ceased to exist on December 23rd, 2012 due to the untimely death of guitarist Mike Scaccia, Mr. Rigor Mortis himself. Fortunately for us all, Mike recorded all his guitar parts for Slaves to the Grave though he sadly never got to hold the final product in his hands.

Reviewing this album is kind of sad no matter how good it truly is. Slaves to the Grave was crowd-funded by the fans of the band, which is a testament to their legacy. All of those who threw their hard-earned dollars in the pool got something more than worthy back, namely an uncompromising Rigor Mortis record. Slaves to the Grave isn't a direct continuation from the band's two previous albums, Rigor Mortis (1988) or Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth (1991), but it still has all of the recognizable and highly valued elements of Rigor Mortis' Thrash Metal style. Slaves to the Grave is also way more versatile than the band's other releases with lots of underlying and fine dynamics all throughout their songs. That alone speaks clearly of the bands' passionate attitude toward their sound.

Songs like "Flesh for Flies" represent Rigor Mortis' willingness to thrash with huge intensity and aggression while the album's closer, "Ludus Magnus," a song lasting over 9 minutes, is a true epic masterpiece with a very eerie and spooky feeling. I have to say that I really like Bruce Corbitt's vocals on this release as his approach reminds me of Phil Rind (Sacred Reich) and Troy Dixler (Sindrome) in some ways. Overall, Slaves to the Grave will sure satisfy every Rigor Mortis fan and many Thrash Metal fans in general. The album's sound is beefy, old school and heavy so no complaints about the production, either.

Slaves to the Grave is a 2-CD set and contains a "making of" DVD that comes along with a live clip taken from their show at the House of Rock in El Paso, TX recorded on February 12th 2014. This live video really captures the relaxed time the guys had in the studio while recording this album in a heart-warming way. The DVD part is both nice yet sad at the same time.

Rigor Mortis never released anything bad and that includes this album. Long live Rigor Mortis. Rest in peace Mike Scaccia. You and Rigor Mortis will be remembered forever by your fans.

More about Rigor Mortis...
Interview with bassist Casey Orr on November 15, 2014 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
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