Mortification

Band Members

• Current Line-Up
  • Steve Rowe (vocals, bass)
  • Mick Jelinic (guitar)
  • Damien Percy (drums)

• Former Members
  • Mike Forsberg (drums) (2004 - 2006)
  • Adam Zaffarese (drums) (2001 - 2003)
  • Jeff Lewis (guitar) (2001)
  • Lincoln Bowen (guitar) (1996 - 2001)
  • Keith Bannister (drums) (1996 - 2000)
  • Dave Kellogg (guitar) (1995)
  • Bill Rice (drums) (1995)
  • Jason Campbell (guitar) (1995)
  • Phil Gibson (drums) (1994 - 1995)
  • Mick Carlisle (guitar) (1991 - 1995)
  • Jayson Sherlock (drums) (1989 - 1994)
  • Cameron Hall (guitar) (1989 - 1991)

Website

roweproductions.com

Formed

Melbourne, VIC, 1989

Band Information

Undoubtedly the world's best known Christian metal band, Mortification is also perhaps Australia's most successful extreme metal unit. Constant touring throughout the US and a steady stream of excellent albums has made Mortification one of this country's biggest selling unknown bands, with worldwide sales now topping 300,000!

The band was formed in 1989 after the dissolution of Lightforce by Rowe, drummer Jayson Sherlock and original guitarist Cameron Hall. Mortification was signed early in their career to Germany's massive metal label Nuclear Blast and has remained a three piece despite personnel reshuffles over the years. Hall was replaced by Mick Carlisle after the first album and the line-up remained unchanged until Phil Gibson stepped in for Sherlock in 1994.

The band's early sound varied between thrashy death and a powerful and gutteral grinding style similar to the likes of Bolt Thrower, best exemplified by the brilliant Scrolls of the Megilloth album, but present in all the band's early work.

Since at least the time of their third album, Mortification has been a constant draw on the US Christian metal circuit, sometimes completing more than two tours a year through the American Bible Belt. Over time, Mortification has evolved through a thrash phase and on towards a more traditional style. Primitive Rhythm Machine was recorded by Rowe alone utilising studio musicians when the rest of band split during a US tour and suffered from poor production. Shortly after returning to Australia he restructured the line up with Lincoln Bowen (guitar) and Keith Bannister (drums) and together the band produced the overwhelming Envision Evangelene set, with its immense eighteen-minute title track and classic metal feel. Serious problems befell the band at this point as Rowe fell ill during a tour and was diagnosed with leukaemia. Given only months to live, Rowe confounded everyone by fighting off the disease and eventually making a full recovery, although he still requires a cane to walk.

By late-1998 Mortification had returned to its gruelling schedule of constant touring and recording. Triumph of Mercy was ordinary by this band's standards, recorded during the height of Rowe's illness, but Hammer of God was a return to form. Bannister left the band at this point and was replaced by Adam Zefferese. Early in 2002 another upheaval of the line-up occurred when Bowen left and was replaced by Canadian guitarist Jeff Lewis. Bowen joined The Eternal in 2005.

Mick Jelinic of Terraphobia also joined the band after the Relentless album was recorded but the four piece line-up lasted only one live performance before Lewis returned to Canada. Zafferese was then replaced by Mike Forsberg in August 2003.

While Mortification's albums continue to appear with almost monotonous regularity, the band's creative spark has dwindled since Envision... with most critics agreeing the band is past its prime, and in reality the band has been little more than an evangelistical ministy for Rowe for many years. Nevertheless, Mortification remains a popular and inspirational band for a large sector of the metal audience and the first four albums should definitely be in everyone's collection, Christian or otherwise.

Discography

Albums:

	1990	Break the Curse	Nuclear Blast
	1991	Mortification	Nuclear Blast
	1992	Scrolls of the Megilloth	Nuclear Blast
	1993	Post Momentary Affliction	Nuclear Blast
	1994	Bloodworld	Nuclear Blast
	1995	Live Planetarium	Intense
	1995	Primitive Rhythm Machine	Intense
	1996	The Best of Five Years	Nuclear Blast
	1996	Envision Evangelene	Rowe
	1996	Live Without Fear	Rowe
	1998	Triumph of Mercy	Rowe
	1999	Hammer of God	Rowe
	2000	Ten Years Live Not Dead	Rowe
	2001	The Silver Cord is Severed	Rowe
File:Mort-10years.jpg 150px	2002	Ten Years: 1990 - 2000 - Power, Pain and Passion	Rowe
	2002	Relentless	Rowe
	2004	Brain Cleaner	Rowe

Compilation track:

Year	Track Title	Album Title	Label
2004	"Ethereal Skyes"	Underearthed 2	independent