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 Enigma, Paramaecium, Deliverance, Desolate Eternity, Catwitch, Burial Grounds, Scourged Flesh, The Eternal, Soundscape |
| Members | Steve Rowe, Lincoln Bowen, Andrew Esnouf |
| Past members | Jayson Sherlock, Cameron Hall, Mick Carlisle, Phil Gibson, Jason Campbell, Bill Rice, Dave Kellogg, Keith Bannister, Jeff Lewis, Mike Forsberg, Damien Percy, Dave Kilgallon, Adam Zaffarese, Troy Dixon |
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) 1990 - 1994
- Cameron Hall (guitar) 1990 - 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 recorded during the height of Rowe's illness, but Hammer of God saw 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 Kilgallon of Scourged Flesh and Grave Forsaken became the band's sixth drummer in 2008, replacing Damien Percy. The band's line-up has continued to be something of a revolving door, but since 2011 Mortification has been Rowe, Bowen and drummer Andrew Esnouf.
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 |
| 2012 | Scribe of the Pentateuch | Rowe |
| 2015 | Realm of the Skelataur | Rowe |
| 2017 | Shades of Death - A Best of Mortification | Rowe |
| 2020 | The Intense Years - 30th Annivesary Box Set | Rowe |
EPs:
| 1996 | Noah Sat Down and Listened to the Mortification Live EP While Having a Coffee | Rowe |
| 2017 | Ancient Prophecy/Overseer | Soundmass |
Split:
| 1994 | Split with Tourniquet | Intense |
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 |