Mortification

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Mortification
OriginMelbourne, VIC
GenresDeath metal, thrash metal, heavy metal
Years active1990 – present
LabelsRowe, Nuclear Blast, Intense
Associated actsLight Force, Horde, InExordium, Terraphobia, Teramaze, Martyrs Shrine, Altera Engima, Paramaecium, Deliverance, Desolate Eternity, Catwitch, Burial Grounds, Scourged Flesh
MembersSteve 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:

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1990 Break the Curse Nuclear Blast
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1991 Mortification Nuclear Blast
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1992 Scrolls of the Megilloth Nuclear Blast
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1993 Post Momentary Affliction Nuclear Blast
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1994 Bloodworld Nuclear Blast
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1995 Live Planetarium Intense
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1995 Primitive Rhythm Machine Intense
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1996 The Best of Five Years Nuclear Blast
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1996 Envision Evangelene Rowe
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1996 Live Without Fear Rowe
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1998 Triumph of Mercy Rowe
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1999 Hammer of God Rowe
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2000 Ten Years Live Not Dead Rowe
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2001 The Silver Cord is Severed Rowe
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2002 Ten Years: 1990 - 2000 - Power, Pain and Passion Rowe
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2002 Relentless Rowe
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2004 Brain Cleaner Rowe
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2006 Erasing the Goblin Rowe
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2007 Live Humanitarian Soundmass
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2009 The Evil Addiction Destroying Machine Soundmass
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2010 Twenty Years in the Underground Nuclear Blast

EP:

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

Split:

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1994 Split with Tourniquet Intense

Compilation tracks:

Year Track Title Album Title Label
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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
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2006 "Terminate Damnation", "Too Much Pain" Oz Mosh 2005 Soundmass

VHS/DVD:

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