Earlier this month, the original lineup of Texas-based thrash metal legends RIGOR MORTIS - Mike Scaccia (guitar), Casey Orr (bass), Harden Harrison (drums), and Bruce Corbitt (vocals) - entered 13th Planet Studio in El Paso, where they are recording their new album.

An update states: "With 10 new Rigor Mortis songs recorded and in the can, we would like to thank Al and Angie Jourgensen, Sammy D'Ambruoso, Omar Mena, WARBEAST and of course all of our family and fans for making this album possible. Details on the album title, song titles and release date coming soon. Yes we will tour once the album is released."

A previous message from the band reads: ""This will be the first album with this lineup since our debut self-titled album that was released on Capitol Records. That album was recorded exactly 24 years ago. It's been a long-time coming... But we promise we will not disappoint our loyal fans!!! Rigor Mortis is officially back from the grave!!!"

Rigor Mortis formed in 1983 in Arlington, Texas and immediately became a driving force in the original wave of North Texas Metal. With the emphasis on speed and the subject matter steeped in horror and gore, Rigor Mortis stood out as extreme intimidators, on and off stage.

Starting out as a 3-piece composed of Mike Scaccia on guitar, Harden Harrison on drums, and Casey Orr on bass, the band added vocalist Bruce Corbitt in '86 and quickly signed to Capitol Records, releasing their classic self titled debut record in '87. Two years later, Corbitt left the band and Doyle Bright came in on vocals. Rigor Mortis went on to release two more records; Freaks, on Metal Blade Records and Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth, on Triple X.

In 1991 Mike accepted an offer to join MINISTRY as well as REVOLTING COCKS, and LARD. And Rigor Mortis was no more, but the four members remained close friends and supported each others' endeavors.

Casey Orr joined shock rockers GWAR, where he's remained off and on since '94, and has performed or recorded with a list of other bands including BIOHOLE (with Scaccia), THE HELLIONS, THE BURDEN BROTHERS, and XCOPS.

Harden Harrison went on to play drums with PERVIS, SPEEDEALER and MITRA.

Bruce has been enjoying recent success with his thrash outfit, WARBEAST, who released their debut record on Phil Anselmo's Housecore Records in late 2010.

The return of Rigor Mortis has been a long time coming. Though the band has reunited for a handful of shows over the last several years, schedules and personal lives just wouldn't allow for the time and commitment necessary for the band to properly reemerge with new material and a determination to take Rigor Mortis to the next level.

Upcoming Rigor Mortis shows:

March

5 - San Antonio, TX - Night Riders

April

15 - Ft. Worth, TX - The Rail (with Exhorder)
16 - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's (with Exhorder)
17 - New Orleans, LA - The Hangar