Mortification

Item: Scrolls of the Megilloth
Author: Doug Van Pelt

Scrolls of the Megilloth

(1992)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

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Label Intense RecordsHeaven's Metal #36July 1992

death metal grindcore

"Nocturnal" starts off this #2 release from Mortification with all the double-bass and driving rhythm section that Vengeance kicked out with tunes like "The Abyss." This stuff is so heavy! Fans of the gnarly end of Metal will eat up this slab of thick, meaty Death Metal. What's really cool about this song is it keeps building in intensity, almost throws you off a cliff, and then takes you there again, and again. "Terminate Damnation" continues at the killer intensity level, with all guns blazing. It's amazing how much sound and power is coming out of this trio. It's great hearing the thick mix, with so much variety, yet stacking up so well together. Jayson Sherlock's drumming is outstanding, with beefy bass drum sounds and a biting snare. Michael Carlisle's guitar sound is extremely cool--just enough distortion crunch and high-end clarity to be heard well. Steve Rowe's bass playing sounds right in the pocket, filling out the overall sound well. The one thing that identifies the band the most--and keeps them (good or bad) in the Death/Grind pigeon hole is Steve's vocals. Those vocals: Both fans and "non-fans" alike will comment on them. If mummies from Egyptian graves walked the earth, this is probably what they'd sound like. You really need a lyric sheet to follow the band's message. Mortification shows that they've got the chops during the musical interlude in "Raise the Chalice." These guys can wail! The title track again proves it in a big way. The voice-overs in "Necromanicide" (Necromancy plus "icide"/death, therefore Necromanicide means death to necromancy) sound like Vincent Price. "Ancient Prophecy" ends the album with a rousing, long-winded performance that leaves the grind in you wanting more.