Mortification

Item: Hammer of God
Author: Doug Van Pelt

Hammer of God

(1999)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

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Label Rowe Productions / Metal Blade RecordsHM Magazine #78July/August 1999

death metal grindcore heavy metal thrash metal

Mortification has played a true tribute to the classic metal sounds that influenced it from the beginning. What we first heard on Blood World comes out more prominently here, but it's played so aggressively and tight that it beats the "old school" criticism to death. The album has good songs on it. The guitar tones bite a la Iron Maiden, the vocals are less grindy, but still close to the Steve Rowe style. What's new are the heavy use (as in a lot)of keyboards. I'm of the Jon Lord-ish type keyboard sounds of Deep Purple and Rainbow. Don't be misled, though. Mortification has not become Idle Cure! Any doubters just need to visit the classic Mort sounds of "In The Woods." Fans of "Noah Was A Knower" will get a flashback with the music and lyrics of "D.W.A.M." (Daniel was a mosher.), which shows the band's sense of humor intact. "God Rulz" also shows up here, complete with a final shout-out by young Leighton Rowe.

While Triumph of Mercy showed a miraculous comeback for this band, Hammer of God is a brutal metal attack. This album has that element of confidence and bite that makes the band sound like they're hungry. I can imagine seeing a spark in the member's eyes as they play these tunes. It's not just the music, either. The lyrics find the band not backing down one bit from the futile attempts some make to dispute God's love and rule. "Lock Up The Night" describes this well: "Lock up the night, release the fire / Now show The Light, pray for morning / Take out the dark, Spirit shine." The title track is another good example. "Liberal Mediocrity" takes a swipe at the misuse of Scripture, ending with the exhortation that "the Lord is coming for a spotless church / Repentant, forgiven / Not deceived by words of men."

The band takes an unexpected trip into diversity in the dramatic "A Pearl," which breaks down with some beautiful piano and keys in the middle of the song. Amidst the dynamics of the song are several examples of Lincoln Bowen's diverse guitar tones. He really did a good job on the entire album coaxing cool sounds out of his instrument - whether it's lead or rhythm work.

This CD features several bonus tracks, which were not necessary to make this album special. There's a 4-song medley of Mort classics redone - "Lymphosarcoma," "Destroyer Beholds," "Distarnish Priest" and "Love Song." Then there's demos from the last album, "At War With War," "Visited by an Angel," and "Unified Truth." The last track of this 70-plus minute CD is an instrumental version of "Metal Crusade."

The band showed a real boldness to take their music to a new place on this, their 9th album, as well as continue the upfront lyrics they are known for. They need make no apologies for this album. It truly kicks.