Mortification

Shortly after ‘Break the Curse’ hit the stores around 1990 christian circles were still trying to swallow Vengeance Rising. When ‘Mortification’ came up it was an outstanding effort following the vein of genre fellow bands Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Death, etc. With this in mind I’d dare to say this is by far one of the best Mortification albums with actually some minor flaws that I will detail on later. On the pros side we have thrasy/death metal to the core. Remember that death metal back then was still emerging so death vocals of this kind got into you with the feeling you will throwing up your guts.


Steve Rowe’s vocals in here sound exquisite ‘’evil’’ if you take my meaning. They are raspy, guttural, deep, vomitorial if you want. The riffing is very thrash influenced with resemblance to Possessed, Death, etc. Oh, don’t forget, there are also guitar solos (very Obituary alike). Remember when soloing used to be interesting? The drumming department is by far one of the highlights of the album being very agreesive but technical at the same time, like most thrash bands from back then.


In regards to the lyrical content you know what to expect from Mortification nowadays. I mean, Steve Rowe will always talk about God. He truly believes what he sings. The messages here are very strong but this is caused also by the fact that Roger Martinez from Vengeance Rising produced the album. Thus, the production and guitar crunch is very raw and goes in the same vein of Human Sacrifice and Once Dead from the aforementioned band.


About the songs: ‘Until the end opens’ and it is very thrashy. Good riffing, a simple solo. This is the perfect song that became a hit. Next we have ‘Brutal Warfare’ which is again a live crowd favorite. I find it very punkish and rather simplistic but the tempo changes are ok for thrash standards (ala Sodom). The heaviest tracks are without any doubt ‘Turn’ which is more an intro, but its intelligible lyrics force you to go the booklet if what he is saying makes any sense in earthly languages. ‘Bathed in Blood’ and ‘No Return’ are then the heaviest songs on the album. BIB opens very doomy and then we get a brutal track with double bass drums all over yet very technical. The riffs are thrashing 100%. (yes, think Destruction or even Tankard). The vocals are absolutely lacerating and menacing. ‘Break the Curse’, ‘New Awakening’ and ‘Journey of Reconciliation’ are obviously tracks left off ‘Break the Curse’ album. The songwriting is the same, only here they are ‘’more dangerous’’ and sharper. Those are very good indeed, they are not that heavy but are mid tempo songs very good as well. ‘The Destroyer Beholds’ is another hit, played live hundred times. It has this punky feel which I honestly hate. The tempo changes are horrible and I, to be transparent, dislike the most. ‘Satan’s Doom’ is, for me, the best track. It opens very doomy as Bathed in Blood. The riffs are very speed metal and the main verses are in mid tempo. The vocals are again lacerating and come direct from Steve’s guts. There are fast parts, mid tempo partes, strong lyrics and many ideas are thrown into the song. This is an absolute killer song to enjoy.


When you get to ‘Majestic Infiltration of Order (MIOO)’ which is again, a funny cartoon of death metal you have enjoyed of almost 40minutes of pure death- thrash metal. It would be unfair to say this album or style is copied since the albums sounds very original and really sharp. MIOO ends with 1:06min. of Steve saying ‘God Rulz’ in descending scales through the guitar and bass. Nothing remarkable at all, but when you think about it, the entire album is a pleasure for the ears. Go and get it, it is absolute worth it! Better things to come in the next few years before they began ‘experimenting’ too much for my taste back in those days when this genre was just beginning; underrated gems can be still found.