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 |
