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The Archive

Photo Gallery

129 images out of the band’s own boxes and hard drives — original 1980s gig flyers, live shots nobody has seen in forty years, the practice space, and the reunion that started at a wedding. Click any image to see it full size.

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40 photos

1985–1990

The original run. Live shots, backstage, and the Arlington practice space, mostly shot by whoever had a camera that night.

The five-piece, backstage in the mid-1980s.
The five-piece, backstage in the mid-1980s.
Backstage, "End Of Summer Slam Session" era.
Backstage, “End Of Summer Slam Session” era.
Between sets, mid-1980s.
Between sets, mid-1980s.
The band and friends, mid-1980s.
The band and friends, mid-1980s.
Outside the Arlington practice space off Arkansas Lane, 1987 — the unit the band rehearsed in with the door shut.
Outside the Arlington practice space off Arkansas Lane, 1987 — the unit the band rehearsed in with the door shut.
Onstage, mid-1980s.
Onstage, mid-1980s.
Trading off at the front of the stage.
Trading off at the front of the stage.
Drum kit, mid-1980s.
Drum kit, mid-1980s.
Behind the kit.
Behind the kit.
Full tilt, mid-1980s.
Full tilt, mid-1980s.
Live, photographed by Stu Taylor.
Live, photographed by Stu Taylor.
Another from Stu Taylor’s roll.
Another from Stu Taylor’s roll.
Walt Trachsler and the leopard-print V.
Walt Trachsler and the leopard-print V.
Walt Trachsler onstage.
Walt Trachsler onstage.
Walt Trachsler, stage right.
Walt Trachsler, stage right.
Steve Murphy on the Rickenbacker.
Steve Murphy on the Rickenbacker.
John Perez, before Solitude Aeternus.
John Perez, before Solitude Aeternus.
Jim "Moe" Mulqueen working the front of the stage.
Jim “Moe” Mulqueen working the front of the stage.
Moe Mulqueen onstage at Savvy’s in Arlington — filed in the band’s own archive as a night with Dimebag Darrell.
Moe Mulqueen onstage at Savvy’s in Arlington — filed in the band’s own archive as a night with Dimebag Darrell.
Savvy’s, Arlington — a second frame from the same night.
Savvy’s, Arlington — a second frame from the same night.
Savvy’s, Arlington — the guitar in question.
Savvy’s, Arlington — the guitar in question.
Dimebag Darrell with the Mulqueens.
Dimebag Darrell with the Mulqueens.
Dimebag Darrell, from the band’s photo archive.
Dimebag Darrell, from the band’s photo archive.
Walt Trachsler and Darrell Abbott, before either of them was famous for it.
Walt Trachsler and Darrell Abbott, before either of them was famous for it.
Walt Trachsler and Darrell Abbott.
Walt Trachsler and Darrell Abbott.
Live, house lights down.
Live, house lights down.
From the floor.
From the floor.
Walt Trachsler, mid-set.
Walt Trachsler, mid-set.
Live in Austin, 1980s.
Live in Austin, 1980s.
Austin crowd pressed to the stage.
Austin crowd pressed to the stage.
Lit from behind, Austin.
Lit from behind, Austin.
Onstage, 1980s.
Onstage, 1980s.
Onstage, wide.
Onstage, wide.
Behind the kit in San Antonio.
Behind the kit in San Antonio.
Two guitars, San Antonio.
Two guitars, San Antonio.
San Antonio, mid-set.
San Antonio, mid-set.
San Antonio — the yellow guitar.
San Antonio — the yellow guitar.
Flyers and stage gear, from the band’s archive.
Flyers and stage gear, from the band’s archive.
A photo envelope marked "John / Corpse ’86."
A photo envelope marked “John / Corpse ’86.”
Cookout, 1980s.
Cookout, 1980s.
30 photos

Flyers & Posters

Hand-drawn, photocopied and stapled to telephone poles. Most of these are the only surviving record that the show happened at all — the stories behind the rooms are on The Rooms.

Rascals, Arlington — Friday, December 6th. The band’s first show.
Rascals, Arlington — Friday, December 6th. The band’s first show.
Rascals — Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 19th–21st.
Rascals — Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 19th–21st.
4th of July Brain Bash with Watchtower — The Continental Club, Austin.
4th of July Brain Bash with Watchtower — The Continental Club, Austin.
Nuclear Assault and Morbid Scream at Joe’s Garage, Fort Worth — Friday, December 8th.
Nuclear Assault and Morbid Scream at Joe’s Garage, Fort Worth — Friday, December 8th.
Joe’s Garage, Fort Worth — Friday, December 29th, with Slatch.
Joe’s Garage, Fort Worth — Friday, December 29th, with Slatch.
"Give thanks for thrash" — Gammacide and Rotting Corpse, Joe’s Garage, Wednesday November 25th.
“Give thanks for thrash” — Gammacide and Rotting Corpse, Joe’s Garage, Wednesday November 25th.
Devastation and Rotting Corpse at the Sun Palace, Edinburg — Friday, May 15th.
Devastation and Rotting Corpse at the Sun Palace, Edinburg — Friday, May 15th.
Slam Session Part 2 — Devastation and Angkor Wat, McAllen Civic Center, Thursday November 19th.
Slam Session Part 2 — Devastation and Angkor Wat, McAllen Civic Center, Thursday November 19th.
Devastation with Angkor Wat and Rotting Corpse — The Stardust, Corpus Christi, Saturday April 18th.
Devastation with Angkor Wat and Rotting Corpse — The Stardust, Corpus Christi, Saturday April 18th.
Third Wave presents Rotting Corpse, Helldogs and Devastation — Friday, March 27th.
Third Wave presents Rotting Corpse, Helldogs and Devastation — Friday, March 27th.
"The Texas Reign of Terror" — Rotting Corpse, Death Tripper, Valkyrie and Hellpreacher at the Cameo Theatre, San Antonio.
“The Texas Reign of Terror” — Rotting Corpse, Death Tripper, Valkyrie and Hellpreacher at the Cameo Theatre, San Antonio.
"Last thrash of the summer" — Hellpreacher and Devastation at the Radiation Dump, Saturday August 30th.
“Last thrash of the summer” — Hellpreacher and Devastation at the Radiation Dump, Saturday August 30th.
Rotting Corpse with Valkyrie and Hellpreacher.
Rotting Corpse with Valkyrie and Hellpreacher.
"Thrash in pain or die in pain" — with Warlock and Valkyrie at the Radiation Dump, Saturday June 14th.
“Thrash in pain or die in pain” — with Warlock and Valkyrie at the Radiation Dump, Saturday June 14th.
A Night of Terror — Halloween, Friday October 31st, with Death Tripper and C.B.S.
A Night of Terror — Halloween, Friday October 31st, with Death Tripper and C.B.S.
Militia, Rotting Corpse and Sentinel at the Ritz, Austin — Friday, July 22nd.
Militia, Rotting Corpse and Sentinel at the Ritz, Austin — Friday, July 22nd.
"Total death metal!" — with the San Antonio death squad, Death Tripper, Friday May 2nd.
“Total death metal!” — with the San Antonio death squad, Death Tripper, Friday May 2nd.
Devastation, Angkor Wat and Rotting Corpse — The Stardust, August 29th.
Devastation, Angkor Wat and Rotting Corpse — The Stardust, August 29th.
Discharge and Warlock at the Tombstone Factory, Tuesday September 2nd.
Discharge and Warlock at the Tombstone Factory, Tuesday September 2nd.
Cide, Rotting Corpse and Dead Horse — Saturday, May 13th.
Cide, Rotting Corpse and Dead Horse — Saturday, May 13th.
Underground Records Thrash Festival — Saturday, July 23rd, 1988.
Underground Records Thrash Festival — Saturday, July 23rd, 1988.
Memorial Day Massacre Reunion Tour, May 2005 — Corpus Christi, Houston, Arlington and Austin.
Memorial Day Massacre Reunion Tour, May 2005 — Corpus Christi, Houston, Arlington and Austin.
20 Year Anniversary of Rotting Corpse — Division One, Arlington, Saturday December 3rd.
20 Year Anniversary of Rotting Corpse — Division One, Arlington, Saturday December 3rd.
The Underground, Corpus Christi — Thursday, May 26th, with ScumScunge and Spiracell.
The Underground, Corpus Christi — Thursday, May 26th, with ScumScunge and Spiracell.
Division One, Arlington — Saturday, May 28th.
Division One, Arlington — Saturday, May 28th.
Walter’s, Houston, with Hypo-Christians, Insect Warfare, Pretty Little Flower and Crusher.
Walter’s, Houston, with Hypo-Christians, Insect Warfare, Pretty Little Flower and Crusher.
Robb’s MetalWorks 4th Showcase in San Antonio with Helstar — The White Rabbit, June 10th, 2006.
Robb’s MetalWorks 4th Showcase in San Antonio with Helstar — The White Rabbit, June 10th, 2006.
No Cash = No Thrash Productions, Friday August 12th, 2005.
No Cash = No Thrash Productions, Friday August 12th, 2005.
Kromium and Necrogazm at Dream World Music Complex — September 24th.
Kromium and Necrogazm at Dream World Music Complex — September 24th.
Texas Halloween Metal Fest IX, Corpus Christi — 30 bands, two stages.
Texas Halloween Metal Fest IX, Corpus Christi — 30 bands, two stages.
42 photos

The Reunion Years

2004 onward — the Memorial Day Massacre tour, the 20th anniversary show, KNON, Robb’s MetalWorks.

Walt Trachsler, Red Eyed Fly, Austin — August 2005.
Walt Trachsler, Red Eyed Fly, Austin — August 2005.
Hair down, mid-riff.
Hair down, mid-riff.
Steve Murphy on the Rickenbacker, stage left.
Steve Murphy on the Rickenbacker, stage left.
Bass and guitar, shoulder to shoulder.
Bass and guitar, shoulder to shoulder.
Someone in the front row gets a look in.
Someone in the front row gets a look in.
Pointing it back at the crowd.
Pointing it back at the crowd.
Two on one microphone.
Two on one microphone.
Working the front of the stage.
Working the front of the stage.
Bent over the guitar.
Bent over the guitar.
Wide of the whole stage, Red Eyed Fly.
Wide of the whole stage, Red Eyed Fly.
Live, May 21st, 2005 — the reunion year.
Live, May 21st, 2005 — the reunion year.
Full stage, May 2005.
Full stage, May 2005.
Guitar and drums, May 2005.
Guitar and drums, May 2005.
Steve Murphy on bass, May 21st, 2005.
Steve Murphy on bass, May 21st, 2005.
Closing out the set, May 2005.
Closing out the set, May 2005.
Under the backdrop.
Under the backdrop.
Live, front of house.
Live, front of house.
Live, the whole band.
Live, the whole band.
Division One, Arlington — December 3rd, 2005.
Division One, Arlington — December 3rd, 2005.
Live, October 21st, 2005.
Live, October 21st, 2005.
Randy "Gribb" Cook, out front for once.
Randy “Gribb” Cook, out front for once.
The reunion lineup.
The reunion lineup.
Backstage, 2005.
Backstage, 2005.
At KNON, Dallas, ahead of the December 2005 benefit.
At KNON, Dallas, ahead of the December 2005 benefit.
In the KNON studio, Dallas.
In the KNON studio, Dallas.
At KNON with Rigor Mortis.
At KNON with Rigor Mortis.
The two bands together at KNON.
The two bands together at KNON.
Around the KNON microphones.
Around the KNON microphones.
Steve Murphy and Luke Brewer.
Steve Murphy and Luke Brewer.
Steve Murphy with Rodney Dunsmore of Devastation.
Steve Murphy with Rodney Dunsmore of Devastation.
Walt Trachsler and Luke Brewer, reunion era.
Walt Trachsler and Luke Brewer, reunion era.
Walt and Luke, still laughing about something.
Walt and Luke, still laughing about something.
Backstage, reunion era.
Backstage, reunion era.
Luke Brewer.
Luke Brewer.
Luke Brewer, September 3rd, 2005.
Luke Brewer, September 3rd, 2005.
Walt Trachsler and Luke Brewer with a friend.
Walt Trachsler and Luke Brewer with a friend.
Walt Trachsler, reunion era.
Walt Trachsler, reunion era.
At Robb’s MetalWorks, San Antonio.
At Robb’s MetalWorks, San Antonio.
Behind the kit, reunion era.
Behind the kit, reunion era.
Onstage, reunion era.
Onstage, reunion era.
On the road.
On the road.
A fan’s wall, in a Rotting Corpse shirt.
A fan’s wall, in a Rotting Corpse shirt.
17 photos

Tapes & Artwork

Demo covers, credit sheets, the Circus of Fools DVD, and the logo in its many mutations.

The back of The Demos — all four tapes, sixteen tracks, hand-numbered to 100.
The back of The Demos — all four tapes, sixteen tracks, hand-numbered to 100.
A signed copy of The Demos, 2005.
A signed copy of The Demos, 2005.
The Demos cover art.
The Demos cover art.
The credits sheet: who played on which demo, studio by studio.
The credits sheet: who played on which demo, studio by studio.
Original demo artwork and layouts.
Original demo artwork and layouts.
Circus of Fools — the 2008 documentary, limited to 100 copies.
Circus of Fools — the 2008 documentary, limited to 100 copies.
Circus of Fools DVD packaging.
Circus of Fools DVD packaging.
Circus of Fools chapter list.
Circus of Fools chapter list.
The "Twenty Years of the Corpse" stage backdrop.
The “Twenty Years of the Corpse” stage backdrop.
The skeleton from the first demo cover, in line art.
The skeleton from the first demo cover, in line art.
The first demo’s cover character.
The first demo’s cover character.
"Demo on sale here. Only $3.00. Total thrash, death, METAL!"
“Demo on sale here. Only $3.00. Total thrash, death, METAL!”
Shirt artwork.
Shirt artwork.
"Thrash in pain or die insane" artwork.
“Thrash in pain or die insane” artwork.
"Merry Christmas and a thrashing New Year."
“Merry Christmas and a thrashing New Year.”
The Rotting Corpse logo.
The Rotting Corpse logo.
The dripping-skull logo in red.
The dripping-skull logo in red.

Got A Photo We Don’t?

Half of this archive only exists because somebody kept a shoebox. If you shot a Rotting Corpse show, kept a flyer off a pole, or have a tape insert in a drawer, send it over — it belongs here.

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