REMEMBERING : Bruce Corbitt

Words by Jesse Skinner. Photo provided by Joey “Blue” Gonzalez.

Bruce Corbitt, also known as the “Batman of Metal” was a heavy metal vocalist best known for fronting the iconic bands RIGOR MORTIS and Warbeast. The self titled debut of RIGOR MORTIS in 1988 showcased Bruce’s belligerent vocals in what would become one of the most iconic speed metal albums ever released. The band also featured Casey Orr, known as Beefcake in the current lineup of GWAR, and Mike Scaccia, notable for playing guitar with Ministry. Bruce Corbitt didn’t just play heavy metal, he lived it.

Bruce got his start with RIGOR MORTIS in the mid ’80s, performing legendary shows that would seemingly turn violent. Fights would break out with the mix of minds during the early years on the metal scene, resulting in Bruce literally being stabbed in the back and being arrested with fellow members of the band. Shortly after the debut on Capitol Records, Bruce took an absence from the band. While the other members of RIGOR MORTIS moved on and eventually worked with other bands such as Gwar and Ministry, Bruce seemingly stood on the sidelines and waited patiently for his return to the stage. Around 2006, with members of Gammacide and DEMONSEED, Bruce started the Texas Metal Alliance (which would later become Warbeast) and was taken under the wing of Philip Anselmo of Down and Pantera fame and signed to Housecore Records. However, tragedy took a turn. In 2012, on what would be Bruce’s 50th birthday celebration, guitarist Mike Scaccia collapsed on stage and died from heart disease while performing. Roughly two years later, Bruce would return to RIGOR MORTIS and release what would be their last album, “Slaves to the Grind,” which was recorded in El Paso at Ministry’s 13th Planet Studios.

Warbeast made a name for themselves by being a straight up thrash metal band, bringing the 1980s thrash movement to the modern day, but on steroids. Fronted by Corbitt, the band also featured guitarist Scott Shelby from GAMMACIDE and Joey “Blue” Gonzalez, the most notable drummer on the Housecore Records scene. I was lucky enough to see Warbeast in 2013 when they toured the Northeast for the Technicians of Distortion tour with Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals and local opening/support act Armor Column. The show was at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park. Bruce displayed everything a front man needed to get the crowd pumped for the main act, and even hung out with fans after the performance. Warbeast released four albums: “Krush the Enemy” in 2010, “War of the Gargantuas” in 2013, “Destroy” also in 2013, and “Enter the Arena” in 2017. With the success from the albums and being on national tours, the tides took another turn for the worse for Bruce in 2017.

Bruce Corbitt was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in 2017. He was very open about his battle, constantly streaming his story of survival on the social media platform Facebook. Bruce not only took the bull by the horns, he openly shared his brave story with everyone in the world during his surgeries and even as his prognosis got worse day by day. Sharing his updates after meeting with surgeons and doctors, it was as if you were fighting the battle along with him. Bruce didn’t cave into his diagnosis. He showed the world how strong you would have to be to be able to defeat a sickness with such a death wish. That integrity stayed with him, even to his final days. Bruce shared everything, even a video clip of iconic guitarist Joe Perry of Aerosmith (Bruce’s favorite band), playing guitar backstage, wishing Bruce the best of luck with his battle. The overwhelming amount of support was felt throughout the metal community. Bruce took the stage one last time with Warbeast. Even though the average person could not perform under the same circumstances, Bruce geared up and hit the stage. In what would be one of the most emotional performances of a lifetime, Corbitt once again took the bull by the horns and made the stage his b*tch in front of friends, family, and former bandmates.

Bruce finally succumbed to his illness and passed away on January 25, 2019. Throughout the long battle, Bruce embodied strength and determination, showing the world what a true warrior is. Not only will Bruce be remembered for his gore-themed lyrics, thrash metal displays of power, and Batman obsession, he will go down in history as one of the greatest fighters against a cancer diagnosis. If there’s anything we can learn from Bruce’s battle, it’s that we can’t help what cards we are dealt in the game of life, we can only face the music, jump in, and Krush the Enemy.

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