Mortification-Triumph of Mercy

Mortification -Triumph of Mercy, Rowe Productions/Metal Blade,
To those who labored in prayer for Steve Rowe over the last year or so, this album is going to bring on a gush of emotion. That this disc is even out is a testimony to God’s mercy, love and healing power. As would be expected, many of the songs contained on this CD are filled with the testimony of what Steve has gone through over the last year, giving graphic detail of the immense pain and suffering he endured and the total reliance he placed on God. Hearing these stories alone makes this CD worth every penny. Songs like the title cut and "Visited by an Angel" give detailed descriptions of the struggles and victories God brought Steve though. Musically, this album is a good follow-up to their 1996 release, "EnVision EvAngeline." Classic metal, heavily influenced by Manowar and Maiden, with a tinge of death is the order of the day. This CD is heavier than EnVision, especially in the more aggressive drumwork. Many will rejoice that Steve has returned to his more growly vocal style and that the band is again downtuning a full step, however, the music contained is not death metal. The band describes it’s music as "modern metal extremes." Songs like "Drain Dweller" are extremely heavy and bridge a gap between death and thrash, however, those who were expecting "Scrolls Part 2" will be dissapointed. Those, like myself, who have enjoyed Morty’s more recent works will enjoy "Triumph of Mercy." Steve’s bass work is as good as ever, which is yet another testimony of God’s mercy, since Steve was told by doctors that he would never play again. Mortification truly have come back, stronger than ever! To God be the glory! Godspeed guys! -Scott Waters

More Mortification Reviews

MORTIFICATION- Live Without Fear, Rowe Productions
Recorded at "The Voice" in Australia, this live CD/EP is a must for any Morty fan. The live cuts blaze as if you were actually there moshing with the crowd. Each song is played well but a touch of feedback creeps in to let you know it’s live. There are a few new cuts from "EnVision" and a few old cuts from past CD’s, so it gives a good picture of the different metal changes Mortification has gone through. This CD is a nice little gem and well worth the money. The packaging isn’t fancy and the production is raw but this isn’t suppose to be fancy, just heavy, live and fun, after all IT’S METAL! 5 grinding picks
-Robert Gutierrez

MORTIFICATION - EnVidion (video), Rowe Productions
1996's final offering from Morty comes to us in video form, and it's a good one. First off is the clip for the epic 19-minute "Envision Evangelene", and although it is a quality piece of work, it does have it's cheesy moments (sorry guys), in which bad acting on the part of the "cast" is the culprit. So anyway, 20 minutes later Steve gives us a revamped history of the band, which includes some great footage, old and new. There are two videos that I think really stand out, those being "Northern Storm" and a never-before-seen clip for ''Monks of the High Lord". "Storm" was filmed around and inside power plant, and it's just real cool seeing the new lineup in fine form. (Not to mention that 'Storm' is one of their best). "Monks" features Mick Carlisle and Phil Gibson from the Blood World days, and is set in a very cool pond/waterfall/cave kind of place. There are also live clips for "Blood World" and "Mephibosheth", and videos for "Noah Was a Knower" and the ancient "Until the End ." Also featured are clips for Metanoia's "Acute Obliteration" and Screams of Chaos's "War Crime." Overall, this video is quite a treat, and should provide a few new fans for each of these bands. -Alex Cantwell

Mortification News 3/4/98
Mortification are currently in the studio recording their new CD, "Hammer of God" at Steve Rowe's Hammer of God Studio in Australia. After this they will be touring Europe and this summer Steve will be doing a "solo" tour of the US while drummer Keith gets married and Lincoln finishes up some commitments at the University he teaches at. The new Cd will be released by Metal Blade in the US and Nuclear Blast in Europe. It wil be available through Rowe mail order but will not be released on Rowe Productions.

A new live CD will be release in late Fall/Winter 99, tentatively titled "Ten Years Live Not Dead."

Sound Sample (To Come)