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By Jenn Leonardi
Perpetual Toxins caught up with Joe Fogarazzo of Rigor Sardonicous. Perpetual Toxins: Rigor Sardonicous is basically a play on the Latin term for "smiling death," why was this name chosen? Is there a meaning for the band members and music or is it just a name? Joe Fogarazzo: It simply was the most appropriate title for a doom band of our stature, we felt. PT: There are three members of the band, Glenn Hampton, Joe Fogarazzo and "?!". Who originally started the band and its unique sound? JF: The original idea for the concept and name of the band started with Glenn. When I met Glenn it expanded deeper, but within the same recesses. Our views fused and codified. PT: Can you tell us a bit about the members? JF: Glenn is a computer programmer and beer glutton. I am a musician and all-around gigolo. "?!" does what he is told, if only every drummer could be so wise. PT: Rigor is being hailed as "raw, apocalyptic doom," is there such a genre or have you created your own niche? JF: We front this claim as we feel it does fit, but is more so due to the media. That term was taken from them as that is how we were defined; so we decided to ride with it. PT: Risus Ex Mortuus has just been re-released by Endless Desperation, a Russian label. With the likes of Skepticism and Sephyroth on their label, how did you hook up with them? JF: Endless Desperation is actually a new label and we are their second release thus far, the first being Night Must Fall. We played a doom fest in summer 2005 and a friend of the label owner from Russia was at the show. You can find a pic of him on our site. He liked us and I can only assume that he spoke of us to Eugeny, the owner. Our American label, Paragon Records, did not want to release this album. So when we were contacted by the Russian label and they offered to release it, we accepted. PT: Included on the previous re-release of Apocalypsis Damnare is a video for Parasitosis. The video was directed and edited by another local artist Melissa Mason. Can you tell us why you chose her? JF: I came into contact with Melissa through someone who was doing work with her, that being Ryan from Dimentianon. She was the only person who followed through and wasted no time. We are extremely pleased with her work and we will be doing another video this summer. PT: The video has a military theme. What does that have to do with the song? JF: Nothing. None of us wanted to have a video which featured the band playing, these tend to be very lame and all too commonplace. The song itself is about insanity and self-induced violence. It just developed into the tale that it shows. PT: Also included on the new re-release is a Kiss cover, God of Thunder. Why did you choose to do this song? JF: In our opinion, this was the first true doom song. Our thoughts of the doom scene differ from many others. Down tuned rock music is not doom to us, nor is depressive, sad, and lonely music. That is for the goth and emo scenes. God of Thunder is heavy, dark, and frightening, so who better to make it even more so than us? PT: A lot of interest has been generated outside the country for Rigor but it doesn't seem like North America has given much notice. Why do you think that is? JF: American society is dull and lazy. Doom is an art-form that requires attention and deep feeling, which is lacking here. PT: Rigor Sardonicous doesn't play many shows but when you do how are you received? JF: We tend to go over well, even if some are too awe-inspired to be aware, but it usually catches up with them. PT: Steve Moran ex-Evoken bassist was playing bass with the band for awhile for shows, now that he's been gone are you looking for a replacement to play live with? JF: He was around for a year or so. He is on the release of Apocalypsis Damnare. It was good to have him fill in on some shows but it was not going to go beyond [that]. As of now we have taken no effort to find a live bassist. There is a serious potential of a west coast tour this summer. PT: There's been talk about a secret "dead x-mas" album floating around, are the rumors true? If so will it ever be released? JF: Yes, this is true. The title is Xmas Sardonicous. Xmas is short for Christmas, many people do not know that we have learned. This was a demo of holiday covers done our way and an original track. All lyrics have been adjusted. We plan on recording this and releasing it by 2007 holiday season if not sooner. PT: Why all the re-releases lately? JF: Our first two releases did not receive much exposure and when we released Principia Sardonica and it did so well we decided to follow up with a re-release. As stated priorly, we were offered the chance to redo our first album, which we would have done eventually, but we did not expect this at this stage. PT: With all the re-releases when can we expect an entirely new album? JF: The new album has already begun. It will be ready to be unleashed by 2007. It may be ready sooner but that will depend on other matters, namely a possible split CD with Dimentianon. PT: What can we expect from Rigor in the future? JF: More and plenty of it. PT: Any final words? JF: Um, wait, huh? Is this on? What was the question? 0 5 . 0 1 . 0 6
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lthough influenced by common themes such as Winter, Grief and Skepticism, Rigor Sardonicous' sound is truly unique to the genre of doom. Mixing very low-end bass and vocals that sound straight from a demon's mouth, get ready to be awed. Make sure you turn up the bass to get the full hellish effect, and be prepared to blow out at least one set of speakers.
