Shroud of Doom - Rigor Mortis Night and Chanthoth's Secret Passages

There two types of Metal Night. The one that is most famous are the social events that we are renowned for; the drunken debaucheries, the shenanigans, the bastard wildings of metal barbarians enthralled with the spirit of Dionysus. In other words, it's a listening party. And then there are the ones when I am alone with Demon Scourge. And we just kinda stare at each other. Then we decide on what we are to hear. And we have drinks. And then we expound at  length on the grand philosophy of metal. And then we try to kill each other with knives and clubs when we inevitably disagree on something before choosing a winner. And so it goes.

And this week we choose the highly underrated American thrash band Rigor Mortis. Their 1988 self titled debut is a classic thrash metal album and our winner of the night. It is a trebly blast of fast tremolo picking, spastic rhythms and a mildly goofy lyrical bent involving demons and gore. For 1988, this was on the for front of musical extremism, preparing the way for Cannibal Corpse and a whole generation of death metal fiends like a bunch of hesher John The Baptists. You will not find much in the way of epic songwriting or dynamics here. This is a straight forward thrash-a-thon.


Into the Necro Lands Part 6.1 - Welcome to Your Funeral

Deep below the soil in eastern Centon, the living tunnels of the T'Chah Karnac spread out in every direction. Seemingly endless corridors of spongy wood, bio-engineered by the ancient human wizards of Samur, connect the forgotten kingdoms and other places of power like unseen tendrils. We are mounted atop the prickly haired backs of large spiders, scurrying with great haste toward Lady

Birdblood's Nest of Evil. At the front of our horde is Chanthoth, last of the Tchah Karnac. Riding just behind are Opheilia Skullbourne and Fester Blackheart, guerrilla fighters from northern Samur. Losi, Birdblood, Bloodmace and Maddaughter Tesa follow behind. I am the last in our party and my mind wanders as we race through the damp passages lit by glowing fungus. We left our home in Jenkabala only four days ago but it feels like an eternity, for even to return there would not be returning to home as Jenkabala Castle was destroyed by Necro Baby and her armies. Just as we defeated Headron, our greatest foe, another rose to take his place. Appointed mistress of Jenkabala and the Necro Lands by the ruthless dimensional villain, Necro Baby attacked us as we arrived from Narn. Faced with retreat, the powerful witch destroyed our stronghold and returned to the west where the forces of the undead could gather strength. Immediately, construction began on our new fortress, Jenkabala Temple. The
task was nearing completion when Lady Birdblood came to us with the disturbing report of butchery on the border so off we went, not with an army, but just the five of us. Our objective was to take back the Nest of Evil and free its people from the hateful toddler's spell before word got back to the Necro Lands, but we were spotted on the way and went on the run. Just as we were about to confront our enemy, Chanthoth appeared and escorted us to his secret lair. From the front of the party, I can hear Chanthoth call out, "We'll camp here for the night." We follow our guide through an archway and behold a breathtaking vista.

Next we heard their caustic little EP Freaks. It's essentially a continuation of their basic grisly thrash formula, but a little faster and a thicker production. There is more out and out shredding and heroic musicianship here, without sacrificing the brutality, namely because the vocals are so damn rough and the drumming is pretty straightforward still. This might have gotten my vote for winner of the night had there been more of it.

 Into the Necro Lands Part 6.2 - SOG

I can scarcely believe the strange panorama that greets me as I follow the others into the immense chamber. The wood gives way to a stone cavern where light filters down from an opening high above us. I turn to Bloodmace and exclaim, "This is an exact replica..." Chanthoth steps toward us, "Of the Memphorian's dwelling on the island of Va in Narn?" Bloodmace and I look at the weird wizard in disbelief, a flood of memories rushing over us. "This base was abandoned long ago" Chanthoth

continues, "But the Garm should still be operative. We will set up camp there on the little island." He points out to the middle of the vast underground cave where, just as on Va, there was a lake with a tree covered piece of land sitting in the middle. Already, Ophelia and Fester are hiking down to the shore with Losi, Tesa and Birdblood. Bloodmace and I are following the stubble-faced magic user down the rugged path, My brother calls ahead, "Chanthoth, I have only heard of one such device, are there more?" Chuckling at the barbarian's boldness, the fallen master replies, "You are so eager to know, young prince. All will be revealed to you by and by. For now however, we will be working on the Garm. We must disrupt Necro Baby's spell if we plan to triumph over the tiny one." The others are waiting by a small dock where a battered dingy sits tethered to the weathered posts. Two by two, Fester paddles us across the smooth waters to the sandy beach on the other side. Hiking to the center of the palm and fern covered mound, we behold the mechanical enchantment amplifier where a small moss covered cabin sits nearby. Chanthoth motions to us, "Let us rest, there is much to be done before our raid on the Nest of Evil."

Lastly, Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth provided the last lobotomy of the evening. This is their last entry and perhaps their accidental avant-gard album. Thrash was dead by this point and there are more punk and industrial reference points here, though thrash riffery still rules the day. Guitarist Mike Scaccia was enjoying success with Ministry, and the influence shows. The production is less harsh than previous albums. The lyrical goofiness is quite pronounced; all B-movie hype, tongue firmly in hollow cheek. It's pretty cool, yet not quite as essential as their previous work. The band called it a day after this one. The drummer went on to be in punk band REO Speedealer. Mike Scaccia died in 2010 .

Words of the Elders

Out in the madness, the winds of mayhem blow cold and unforgiving and in the eye of the storm stand the heroes of Centon. Pledging allegiance to none but the hundred gods they stalk the wasteland to bring justice to this untamed land. Lilies of violence bloom in the fertile black earth, waiting to entrap the seven warriors in their fearful snare, but these warriors of metal have the flaming chariots of Narn riding with them. Godspeed, brave challengers, tonight the candles burn bright for your safe return! 

Until next week, unkempt hordes, 




Horns