Review: Revisiting Mortification’s ‘Brain Cleaner’
By the early 2000’s, Mortification seemed to be spinning their tires. Despite the underrated nature of some of their mid-period albums, it seems that many metal fans were simply not that hyped about the route the band had taken since Post Momentary Affliction. Of course, there was still a death metal element in their sound, but fans of their early albums were clamouring for a return to the heavy sounds of yore. Enter 2004’s Brain Cleaner.
Brain Cleaner’s release enters the picture two years after the sonic exit wound left by death/thrash closing track “Apocalyptic Terror” from previous album Relentless. With the driving roar of that track, it seemed like Rowe and co. were hinting at heavier things to come; and fortunately, in many respects, this was to be the case.
Is Brain Cleaner a true return to their classic death metal sound? No. But it is a return to the band’s death metal roots, just augmented with all of the sounds they’d been exploring since. In some senses, Brain Cleaner is an album that’s doomed to live in the shadow of its ferocious follow-up, Erasing the Goblin, but that’s not to say it’s without its own appeal.
Back to being a power trio, Steve Rowe, alongside Michael Jelinić (of Terraphobia) and Mike Forsberg (of Cybergrind, later to become known as Martyrs Shrine), forged ahead with a sound that was decidedly heavier than anything they’d done album-wise in years. Though opener “Boaconstrictor” is a pretty standard, albeit heavier take on their by now signature sound, second track “Too Much Pain” manages to conjure up some huge Post Momentary Affliction vibes, sounding almost a sequel or second part to “This Momentary Affliction” with its hammering, industrial drumming and almost black metal-leaning shrieks and snarls. “Purest Intent” sees the band filter their death metal sound through some serious groove, with “I’m Not Your Commodity” following suit. Some death ’n roll also rears its head here in the form of “Brain Cleaner,” and “12 Men” is just straight up heavy metal. Michael Jelinić’s guitar work especially shines on “The Flu Virus,” but for me, the highlight of the album has to be the full-on death/thrash banger that is “Livin’ Like a Zombie,” a track that veers from full-on aggression to passages of almost lethargic lament.
Lyrically, Brain Cleaner is concerned especially with the irritation that Rowe obviously felt at this point when it came to his critics and those who wanted him to make Mortification sound the way they wanted the band to sound. Credit where credit is due, I say; say all you want about the musical avenues Mortification went down after their death metal heyday, but you can’t fault Rowe for sticking to his guns. Songs like “Purest Intent” and “I’m Not Your Commodity” remind me a little of Napalm Death’s “Extremity Retained,” acting as responses to critics who say that the band has somehow sold out, and replying to those who don’t like the sonic direction the band has gone in. “Livin’ Like a Zombie” riffs on the same themes as “Nocturnal” from Scrolls of the Megilloth – a life on tour, playing shows before people who might hate you or not understand your message, and trying to shine the light of the Gospel in places where some Christians might fear to tread. Other tracks emphasize strengthening and holding on to one’s faith, such as “Boaconstrictor” and “Brain Cleaner.” That’s not to say there aren’t some cringier moments on here. I know “E.D.” (Evil Death) is more of a joke song, but I have no idea what it’s lyrically getting at, and “The Flu Virus,” while I get what he’s saying (make use of medicine, etc. but above all have faith in God’s healing power), just comes off a bit out of left field here. Still, it’s a blunt and straightforward collection of lyrics from a guy who’s never shied away from any topic, nor left listeners in the dark as to how he feels about something.
Overall, while Brain Cleaner isn’t the return-to-form banger that Erasing the Goblin would prove to be, it is still a cool album to listen to, in spite of its occasional missteps. It’s an album that saw the band go back to a heavier, more death metal-focused style all the while maintaining the eclectic approach that they’d become known for in the mid-90’s onward. If you haven’t listened to it yet, or just never dug deep into it, give it a second chance. It’s a worthwhile listen.
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