Mortification

Mortification
Origin	Melbourne, VIC
Genres	Death metal, thrash metal, heavy metal
Years active	1990 – present
Labels	Rowe, Nuclear Blast, Intense
Associated acts	Light Force, Horde, InExordium, Terraphobia, Teramaze, Martyrs Shrine, Altera Engima, Paramaecium, Deliverance, Desolate Eternity, Catwitch, Burial Grounds, Scourged Flesh
Members	Steve Rowe, Lincoln Bowen, Andrew Esnouf

Band Members

• Current Line-Up
  • Steve Rowe (vocals, bass)
  • Lincoln Bowen (guitar)
  • Andrew Esnouf (drums)

• Former Members
  • Troy Dixon (guitar) 2011
  • Adam Zaffarese (drums) 2001 - 2003, 2008 - 2010
  • Dave Kilgallon (drums) 2008
  • Damien Percy (drums) 2006 - 2008 (d. 7.2.18)
  • Mike Forsberg (drums) 2004 - 2006
  • Jeff Lewis (guitar) 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

Formed

Melbourne, VIC, 1990

Band Information

Mortification is a Christian death metal band formed in 1990 by former Light Force members Steve Rowe and Cameron Hall, and drummer Jayson Sherlock. 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.

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. Shortly after returning to Australia he restructured the line up with Lincoln Bowen (guitar) and Keith Bannister (drums) and the band produced Envision Evangelene. 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 now 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.

Dave Killgallon of Scourged Flesh and Grave Forsaken became the band's sixth drummer in 2008, replacing Damien Percy.

The 2010 album is a double compilation featuring re-recorded early songs, live tracks and acoustic performances.

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
	2002	Ten Years: 1990 - 2000 - Power, Pain and Passion	Rowe
	2002	Relentless	Rowe
	2004	Brain Cleaner	Rowe
	2006	Erasing the Goblin	Rowe
	2007	Live Humanitarian	Soundmass
	2009	The Evil Addiction Destroying Machine	Soundmass
	2010	Twenty Years in the Underground	Nuclear Blast

EP:

	1996	Noah Sat Down and Listened to the Mortification Live EP While Having a Coffee	Rowe

Split:

	1994	Split with Tourniquet	Intense

Compilation tracks:

	Year	Track Title	Album Title	Label
	1994	"Time Crusaders"	Godspeed	Rowe
	1999	"In the Woods"	Halloween Metalfest 99	Metal Warriors
	2000	"Dead Man Walking"	Death... is Just the Beginning 6	Nuclear Blast
	2006	"Terminate Damnation", "Too Much Pain"	Oz Mosh 2005	Soundmass

VHS/DVD:

	1994	The History of Mortification	Rowe
	1994	Grind Planets	Nuclear Blast
	1996	Envidion	Rowe
	2001	Conquer the World	Nuclear Blast
	2006	Live Planetarium	Rowe