What's been up with Mortification . . . no new studio album for 2 years? As if you have to ask! Most of you have read by now about Steve Rowe's immense struggle with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. For that story you can read issue #71. Anyway, Triumph Of Mercy is full of the heavy stuff we can expect from the guys. Steve's voice doesn't sound quite as guttural as some of the past efforts, but he definitely sounds healthy. The title track is the story, in its entirety, of his bout with the deadly disease. Definitely insightful, it has a classic metal feel in parts, and some very cool vocal effects mid-song. One minor disappointment, though, is found in the lyrics. While very meaningful and sincere, I've heard better from Mr. Mortification. The simplicity doesn't quite cut it here, and a little more allegory couldn't hurt. On "Welcome To The Palodrome" (a made-up Steve Rowe-ism) Keith Bannister's drum sound is very large, especially the toms. Cool wah-wah intro to the guitar solo! Lyrically it deals with our troubles being very small when it comes to our eternity. Have I mentioned the fact that the guitar solos are intense? While Michael Carlisle played an integral part of the band's pioneering in the Christian market, his guitar solos were almost non-existent. Lincoln Bowen's, however, have always been not only intriguing, but technical. The bass could use more low-end throughout the album, maybe a Doug Pinnick-type sound (distinct tones, but with a heavy bottom-end). Straight-ahead and "groovy, dude," the song "Influence" may be the highlight musically, with an awesome tom and bass breakdown mid-song, while Lincoln does a somewhat subdued solo overtop this entrancing section. "Visited By An Angel" has an incredible-but-true storyline, Steve having been personally ministered to by a messenger of God at the beginning of his cancer onslaught. The cool blue album cover depicts Steve's account of the event, and the rear tray card shows an angel "crushing hatred" while commanding us to "love others." Steve has said the album is "a cross between Envision, Scrolls, and Post Momentary," but I don't really hear the Scrolls sound. The best way to describe the album as a whole is the music of Envision, the vocals of Post Momentary, and the lyrics of Blood World. It's a must-have for every Mortification fan, and a great testimony of Steve's ordeal and faith. Check out "Welcome To The Palodrome" on this month's HM sampler cd.