Rigor Sardonicous is an American doom metal band from Long Island, New York. Coined as "raw, apocalyptic doom", Rigor Sardonicous is one of the earliest American doom metal bands that are still active today among Novembers Doom and Evoken. The band members came together in 1988.[1] According to an interview,[2] the band is influenced by slow parts of death metal bands like Obituary, Winter and Autopsy.

Rigor Sardonicous
OriginLong Island, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active1988–present
LabelsParagon
MembersJoseph Fogarazzo
Glenn Hampton
Past membersRyan Böhlmann
Gabe Madsen
Steve Moran
Websitesmilingdeath.com

The band's name is Latin for "Rigid and sardonic"; the vast majority of their album and song titles are in Latin. However, the lyrics are still in English. On most of their recordings, the band uses a Boss DR-660 Dr. Rhythm drum machine.

History

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Rigor Sardonicous was formed in 1988 by bassist Glenn Hampton, before guitarist-vocalist Joseph J. Fogarazzo joined him in 1990. The band's debut album Apocalypsis Damnare was released in 1999,[3] followed by a split album with The Forgotten in 2002 and then their second album Principia Sardonica in 2004.

In 2005, Apocalypsis Damnare was re-recorded and re-released via Paragon Records,[4] while their demo, Risus Ex Mortuus, was re-recorded and re-released as a full-length album in 2006 by the Russian label Endless Desperation Records.[5] In 2008, the band released its third album Vallis Ex Umbra De Mortuus, followed in 2012 by their fourth album Ego Diligio Vos. In 2011, a live album titled Vivescere Exitium was released on cassette format and was limited to 200 copies. The recordings came from a New York concert on August 14, 2009. The concert had also been available as a free download even since.[5]

Members

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Current members

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  • Glenn Hampton – bass (1988–present)
  • Joseph J. Fogarazzo – guitar, vocals (1990–present)

Past members

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  • Ryan Böhlmann – drums (session only)
  • Gabe Madsen – drums (1988–1991)
  • Steve Moran – bass (2004–2005)

Discography

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Studio albums

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Demos

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  • Risus Ex Mortuus (cassette, 1994, self-released, re-released on CD by Endless Desperation, 2006)

Live albums

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  • Vivescere Exitium (live recording; free digital download off main website, Distoare Music, 2011)

EPs and splits

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  • The Forgotten / Rigor Sardonicous (7" split with The Forgotten, Paragon Records, 2002)
  • Amores Defunctus Tuus Mater (CD split w/Dimentianon, Largactyl Records, 2007)
  • I / Neo-pesaimism (7" split with Persistence in Mourning, Feudal Throne Records, 2010)
  • Ridenti Mortis (digital EP, self-released, 2018)

References

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  1. ^ "Rigor Sardonicous". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  2. ^ "Featured Content on Myspace". Myspace.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  3. ^ "Rigor Sardonicous | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  4. ^ "Album Review RIGOR SARDONICUS-Apocalypsis Damnare :: Maelstrom :: Issue No 39". Maelstromzine.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "DOOMMANTIA – Doom Metal Reviews: Rigor Sardonicous – Vivescere Exitium". September 3, 2014. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  6. ^ "Memento Mori [Label/Mailorder] – News". Memento-mori.es. Retrieved October 10, 2020.