Band:	Rigor Mortis
Album:	Slaves To The Grave
Style:
Release date:	October 07, 2014
A review by:	ScreamingSteelUS

01. Poltergeist
02. Rain Of Ruin
03. Flesh For Flies
04. The Infected
05. Blood Bath
06. Ancient Horror
07. Fragrance Of Corpse
08. Curse Of The Draugr
09. Sacramentum Gladiatorum
10. Ludus Magnus

Reviewing the posthumous opus ultimus of a recently-deceased artist imposes the unique burden of simultaneously preventing the unfortunate circumstances from coloring any objective sentiments about the work itself and remaining sensitive to the situation. While of course we believe in subjective reviews here, and some albums are best understood in the context of their creator's demise (Woods Of Ypres's Woods V), more often than not death intensifies hero worship. Rigor Mortis require no special treatment; not only does Slaves To The Grave deliver well enough on its own, it is a fitting swan song and testament to the brilliance of both Rigor Mortis and the late Mike Scaccia.

Rigor Mortis have been out of the picture longer than half the bands these days have been in existence. 21 years passed between their original "last album," 1991's Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth, and the recording of this album, but the difference could just as easily be three years as 21. Bruce Corbitt's voice has aged astonishingly well, especially considering that his first, last, and only recording with Rigor Mortis was 26 years ago; he sounds grittier and growlier, and the lack of standard '80s reverb fills out his voice better.

My first question prior to delving into this album was whether or not Mike Scaccia had retained that luscious half-industrial, half-Entombed, half-garage band thrash guitar tone from Rigor Mortis's past life - and "Poltergeist" immediately answers to the affirmative. Rigor Mortis's greatest strength has always been the musicianship; with their powers combined, the virtuosic Mike Scaccia, Casey Orr, and Harden Harrison form one of the most interesting instrumental assault teams in the scene. Corbitt's hoarse exhortations, Saccia's delectable tone, Orr's technical and masterful bass work, and Harrison's thoughtful yet mechanical drumming continue to set Rigor Mortis aside as a very singular thrash band, at least in terms of musicianship.

Rigor Mortis in their original incarnation melded the unpolished, almost haphazard brutality of classic Kreator with riffs and melodies that, though technical in some sense, might better be described as "adventurous" in the vein of Artillery. Slaves To The Grave holds together more tightly; the older, more experienced band plays with greater precision, skill, and timing, but they still have the aggression of their old/young selves and frequent death metal influence. Some songs sound influenced at times by Ministry or Gwar, perhaps not surprising given the post-Rigor Mortis projects of Scaccia and Orr, but overall, Slaves To The Grave sits right in between the sonic styles of the band's self-titled debut and Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth.

Mike Scaccia's untimely death was truly a great loss, but Slaves To The Grave is a grand finale he could be proud of. From the first explosions of "Poltergeist" to the power-metal-Deceased riffs of "The Infected" to the fade-out of the supremely magnificent epic "Ludus Magnus," Rigor Mortis took over 20 years of pent-up thrashing and unleashed it all in one mighty flood. They gave this album their all, and it truly shows.