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Mortification > Primitive Rhythm Machine > Reviews
Mortification - Primitive Rhythm Machine

Primitive rhythm ala Sepultura - 70%

Kalelfromkrypton, December 24th, 2007

Starting with the cool tribal drumming for Primitive Rhythm Machine you immediately realize that this is in the same vein as Roots by Sepultura. Gone were drummer Phil Gibson and guitar player Michael Carlisle. So this was the beginning for Mortification without their axe guitar player and the endless drummers’ changes.


George Ochoa, killer guitar player for Deliverance is recruited to play here but there is no lineup but guys recruited all over US. The mixing is actually weird to get this raw sound where the bass and especially the drums overshadow any other instrument. Steve Rowe still growls but he uses more and more his normal screaming voice.


Now, in regards to the songs there are experimental songs, speed metal/thrash songs, bad/filler songs and funny songs as you can expect from Mortification. PRM is very much ala Sepultura song with double bass drums parts and the chorus is sung not growled. This is a good opener but not excellent.


Mephiboshet follows and it is the concept song for the entire album. It deals with King David and his promise to look over Saul’s son Mephiboshet who was crippled in an Israel war. Great concept I would say. Seen it all is a bad song, totally filler to me. The lyrical concept is ok but musically I don’t like it. True Essence of Power is one oh the highlights with its speed metal riffs and tempo changes in the chorus. The instruments here go really good. Toxic Shock, as SIA is a filler, weird pace and again the screaming vocals show up but I don’t like the music. 40:31 refers to Isaiah 40:31 which deal with eagles. The chorus in here is growled and ripping tempo makes another highlight, this is really a powerful song. Gut Wrench is another mid tempo with rotting chorus and screams for the verses. This is a very powerful song indeed. Providence is the weakest point since it is a doomy song, very slow for an album like this and the juxtaposing of clean vocals (courtesy of the Recon singer which was a heavy metal band) don’t work to me. He sings very well, but for a thrash album this does not fit.


Killing evil closes and it is a funny song, ‘anthem’ song Rowe would say and the only lyrics are: ‘Killing evil’. The problem with it is that it lacks the power and fury of Majestic Infiltration of Order or This Momentary Affliction. I would rather close it with a killer song instead or just killing evil lyrics but I swallow it since I know Rowe is a funny guy who likes to joke in the albums.


Lastly, this proofs once again how Mortification was evolving more and more and heaviness was being putting aside in order to show and incorporate new elements. This album is ok if you like tribal experiments but if you only love crushing death metal then go back to their previous releases because this one sure is experimental and tribal.