If this name rings a bell, it's because this is a special CD re-issue that Steve Rowe of Mortification put together to document the beginnings of his present band. Of course, I hated the Mystical Thieves album by Light Force when it came out. Listening to it now, the sonic rough edges almost make more sense, but I still don't find singer Steve Johnson's vocals, nor the band's predictable song structures appealing.
You can hear the first few experiments into grindcore growling by Steve as BGV's in "Epidemic of Injustice," which was recorded live in 1989 before Mortification was born. You hear a slight trace of the time changes that Mortification would later take in "Back To Basics," which is another live tune recorded in '89 here.
For serious Light Force fans more than anything else, this album is a great homage to pay to a band.
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by NecRoSarXFor those of you out there wondering why Mortification has been playing more classic power metal as of late, here's your answer. Studious adherents to C-rock history know that Steve Rowe was once the bass player for this Iron Maiden-esque band before forming Mortification. Anyhoo, The Best of Lightforce is a culmination of cuts from the band's two Pure Metal releases (Battlezone and Mystical…
