Rigor Mortis (NY)

Rigor Mortis (NY) was formed in May 1986 by Dave Wilkinson and Andrew Sakowicz under the name Defcon. Upon realizing that a band from Wisconsin had the same name, the name was changed to Rigor Mortis. Dave and Andrew grew up in Northwest Yonkers and went to the same high school. Not long after, Bob Vigna would join the band as a session guitarist. Bob could only join as a session guitarist because he had a previous commitment to his band Kronix with Larry Lena and Dan Vavrica. Interestingly enough, Larry Lena played with Andrew in 1985 in a band called Mercy Killer. Bob also went to Gorton High School with Andrew and Dave. In August of 1986, Rigor Mortis recorded the rehearsal demo "Peace Through Tyranny" in Dave's apartment. The demo featured the songs: Defcon, Wizard of the Sands, Relentless Torment, and Road Warrior. The quality of the recording was certainly not the best as the vocals could barely be heard. The tape was sent to a few well know fanzines at the the time such as Total Thrash and Violent Noize. The reviews were average, and Violent Noize, in particular, slammed the hastily recorded rehearsal demo. Shortly thereafter, Bob became a full-time member, and the trio went back to rehearsing with a goal of recording a studio demo. In the early part of 1987, Dave and Andrew had a disagreement, and there was a short period in which Tony Saccitello played drums. Tony was Andrew's friend from nearby Mount Vernon. Eventually, Dave "Wilky" Wilkinson rejoined the band as only Wilky could ever play the sticks for Rigor Mortis. On March 10, 1987, Rigor Mortis went to Sleepy Hollow Studio in Dobbs Ferry and recorded "Relentless Torment". This was the only song from the first demo re-recorded for the demo. Immediately after the recording, Tom Wilkinson (Dave's older brother) joined the band as rhythm guitarist. On May 8, 1987, the band went back in the studio and recorded the second track, "Rigor Mortis". On June 30, 1987, the band went into the studio and recorded the final track, "Holocaust". One of the band's better songs, it was even played live a few times by Immolation in their early days. On July 2, 1987, the demo was processed for final production, and the demo was entitled "Decomposed". The cover artwork of the demo was done by Dominic Chiaverini. Dominic Chiaverini, interestingly enough, is now an accomplished bassist and studio musician in jazz projects. Dominic was also one of the first people in the New York area to play power and thrash metal with Random Faith and Artillery and is widely recognized as a founding father in the New York scene. The demo was shipped out to several fanzines, and this time the reviews were very favorable. Borivoj Krgin (Violent Noize) and Andrew spoke on the phone, and Borivoj admitted he liked the tape and was going to give it a favorable review in the next fanzine. As fate would have it, the next issue of Violent Noize never did come out. Borivoj focused his efforts on a new record label and ceased production of his fanzine. The chance for redemption in death metal's finest fanzine was cruelly denied by fate and circumstance. Regardless, Rigor Mortis did get much better press in American, Japanese, and European death metal fanzines. The response from fans was particularly good in the Pittsburgh and Los Angeles areas. Monstrosity, a Pittsburgh based death metal band, gave Rigor Mortis the highest of honors by covering "Relentless Torment" in live shows. With a demo under their belt, the band realized live shows was the next phase. On August 8, 1987, Rigor Mortis made their live debut at "Streets" in New Rochelle. The response was very good from the death metallers in attendance, but the band also received bewildered looks, as well. One must remember that back in 1987 in the greater New York City area, death metal wasn't widely accepted. New York, at the time, was well known for the hardcore scene and CBGB's. After 3 months of rehearsing, Rigor Mortis played another show in streets on November 14, 1987. This was perhaps, Rigor Mortis' best show. Word had gotten out, and many more people made it to the show. In late 1987, there was more collaboration from fellow band members in songwriting, and the band started to rehearse some really good material like "Chamber of Fear", "Cardiac Arrest". and "Under the Supreme". Unfortunately, these songs never did make it to the studio. On December 12, 1987, the band played it's 3rd show at "Streets". This was, without question, their worst show. They went on 3rd after 2 very lacklustre bands. One band, in particular, deliberately stayed on for a long time. Even the the owner of the club (Al) was yelling for them to come off, but they wouldn't budge. Rigor Mortis took the stage around 1AM, and most of the crowd were wore out and went home. A few of the hardcore Central Avenue crew hung out, but the show was a lost cause. Once again, fate would cruelly conspire, against the band. This was the only time the band had Bob's friend (Frank Cerbone), a professional videographer, tape the show. This tape did not catch the true madness of the previous shows. The final insult came when Andrew's bass string broke, and he didn't bring his back up bass. The same aformentioned @sshole band wouldn't let him borrow a bass. Putting this debacle behind them, the band went into the studio and recorded "Warriors of Doom" on January 12, 1988. The song was intended to be part of a 3-4 song demo, but it was never to be. In February 6, 1988, the band played their final and finest show. This time, they opted to go on first. The crowd was absolutely nuts. It was a short 8 song set, but a fitting tribute and legacy to the greater New York area's first serious death metal band. In March of 1988, Andrew left the band due to musical differences. Wilky would leave the band shortly thereafter. Tom and Bob joined up with good friends Neal Boback (Bob's neighbor) and Ross Dolan (A good friend from the great Central Avenue crew) and formed the world famous Immolation. Andrew would try to reform Rigor Mortis in April 1988 with Max Capshaw (Drums), but the two were never able to find a suitable guitarist. Dave Wilkinson would settle down into family life, and Andrew would join the army a year later. In January 1993, Andrew was home on leave and accompanied Immolation to a show in Manhattan and joined the band onstage for "Warriors of Doom". It was to be the last time that the core members of Rigor Mortis would perform a Rigor Mortis song live.



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