Jul 1985
Formed in the Dallas–Arlington–Ft. Worth metroplex by
Walt Trachsler (then Dimebag Darrell's guitar tech) and
Jim Mulqueen — the two had known each other for years already, working as roadies for Pantera.
John Perez joins soon after, answering Walt's ad in a local music store.
1986
First demo recorded at Pantego Sound Studio, produced by Jerry Abbott, with Mulqueen on lead vocals — a performance later compared directly to Exodus's Paul Baloff. Live dates include a May 10 show at Sneakers in San Antonio.
Steve Murphy joins on bass in early 1987, taking over from a run of earlier bassists.
1987
Trachsler takes over lead vocals for the second demo,
F*ck It, It's Only Thrash, produced by Vinnie Paul. John Perez leaves the band this year to found Texas doom metal act
Solitude Aeturnus, chasing "heavier, slower music with more melody" instead of thrash's limits.
1988
Third demo self-released. Murphy is running two bands at once by now, splitting time with his own project, Process Revealed.
1990
Fourth demo, Neck Breaking Fury. By this point the band had traded members with Necrovore, Gammacide, Hellpreacher, and Covenant. Trachsler also steps in as touring guitarist for death metal pioneers Death on the European leg of the Spiritual Healing tour. The original run ends later that year with a Valentine's Day show in San Antonio.
Jul 2004
The reunion starts almost by accident: Murphy and Trachsler jam with former bandmates the same weekend as Murphy's own wedding, meant as a one-off trip down memory lane. It reignites the band instead.
2005
With Murphy leading the project, all four original demos are remastered by Allen Crider and released for the first time as The Demos, on the band's own label, F**k It Records. Blabbermouth names Rotting Corpse its October Artist of the Month.
2006
Appearance on San Antonio's Robb's MetalWorks.
2008
Documentary
Circus of Fools released, limited to 100 copies.
Trachsler also joins the 2008 reunion of fellow Texas thrashers Devastation on guitar.
2010s
Intermittently active, playing reunion and benefit shows alongside fellow Metroplex thrashers Rigor Mortis and Gammacide.
2021
Rotting Corpse resurfaces again.
2024
Return appearance on Robb's MetalWorks.
Sep 2025
Show at The Rail, Fort Worth, with Watchtower, Accuser, Odious & Of Deities and Dust.
Oct 2025
Thrash in Pain or Die Insane released via vicRecords — 16 remastered tracks spanning all four original demos.
Dec 2025
Show at The Continental Club, Austin, with The Fixations & Sad Wings.
2026
New album reviewed by Twilight Magazin and Musikreviews.de.
Sep 2026
Upcoming show at Brushy Street Commons, Austin, with Gammacide, Morta & Fairuza Balk.