Mortification

Item: Primitive Rhythm Machine
Author: Doug Van Pelt

Primitive Rhythm Machine

(1995)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

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Label Intense RecordsHeaven's Metal #53May/June 1995

death metal grindcore heavy metal

Those who thought this band was mellowing out after Blood World's excursions into classic metal, are in for a treat. Having added a hardcore groove to its rhythm section, the band sounds heavier than ever. Steve Rowe reverts back to a vocalization that's more in tune with his grindcore past, although somewhat flavored with a Sepultura sneer/grunt delivery. Tunes like "Providence," although featuring a classic metal vocal delivery in the bridge sounds like it could've been on any of the band's first three albums. "Mephibosheth" and the title track display this new power groove direction with a metal muscle that's savage. Some of the tunes, like "Toxic Shock," are performed with a Believer-like technical edge and tightness - including that Bachman-style vocal delivery.

You can still see a classic metal influence in the riffing in tunes like "Toxic Shock" and "4031." The title track is a discourse on the whole "God hates rock music" controversy. One point brought up that is cool, says, "God created the jungle beat." Who's to say that God doesn't love the same style of music that demons apparently like?

"4031" is an interesting song, lyrically, as it expounds on the verse Isaiah 40:31.

When the album is done playing, it's apparent that you've been hit with a massive aural onslaught. Mortification has produced its best album to date. By the way, ex-Deliverance axeman George Ochoa co-produced this album with Mister Steve Rowe.