Review: Mortification/Light Force – Break The Curse
Mortification is one of those bands where I enjoy going back in time to an era where I was not even alive and beholding how extreme metal sounded. These guys helped make that sound evolve in the healthiest ways. Hailing from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, a group of brave men already unleashed their musical ministry through heavy sounds, under the name Light Force. Initially they played heavy power metal, but after the departure of their previous vocalist Steve Johnson, a change in direction was in order when bassist Steve Rowe took over vocals. That direction was portrayed through playing thrash metal and stepping away from power metal as a whole.
Accompanied by guitarist Cameron Hall and drummer Jayson Sherlock, Steve proved this thrash metal direction could be pulled off by recording ten all-new tracks to showcase where Light Force was headed. Recorded at Oasis Studios, the demo was titled “Break The Curse”, and was released on cassette, though only six of the ten tracks made the cut. Although the new thrash metal style was fully embraced, these songs still have very much of a groove to them. The guitar progressions never go unnoticed; they easily invite the listener to swish their head back and forth to its rhythm. It goes to show how unique this performance is no matter how old it is. Steve’s bass playing is not overshadowed either; it’s about as thick as a true metalhead would want it to be. His vocal energy also does not let up whatsoever. And Jayson’s drumming? It’s all over the place, no matter where we imagine that glorious drum set to be. This trash attack with death metal influences still stands out, even for a demo.
Cameron Hall left the band shortly after and was replaced by their next guitarist Michael Carlisle. Upon Michael’s entrance, the band was renamed to the one we all know and love… Mortification! With this updated lineup, they went onto record their first official full-length under the new moniker. Some of those songs were heavier remakes of selected songs from their prior demo. “Brutal Warfare”, “Turn”, “Break The Curse”, “Journey Of Reconciliation”, and “The Majestic Infiltration Of Order” were remade for their 1991 self-titled album; and “Impulsation” was remade for their 1993 album “Post Momentary Affliction”.
But that does not mean the “Break The Curse” demo was left behind. Nuclear Blast Records released it in its entirety, now remastered and with all ten tracks, on CD for the first time on November 10, 1994. The latest reissue is provided by Soundmass (released in July of 2022) and includes a bonus disc, their first live gig under the Mortification name, at Harvest Centre, June 15, 1990. The sound quality of that show is native, but still a treasure worth preserving.
You can get the newer reissue on major digital platforms. But try to get the double CD if you want a more complete experience.
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