Mortal (band)
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| Mortal | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Diego, California, USA |
| Genre(s) | industrial / dance / Christian rock |
| Years active | 1992–1996, 2002 |
| Associated acts | Fold Zandura, Switchfoot |
Mortal was a Christian industrial/dance band fronted by Jerome Fontamillas and Jyro Xhan. Both members went on to found the alternative rock group Fold Zandura, and for a time were members of both bands simultaneously. The band is known for its lyrical intelligence, incorporating advanced theology with what has been billed as "Industrial Praise and Worship."[1]
Contents |
[edit] Background
The group began in 1988 as Mortal Wish. They produced a six-song demo with additional members Ray Tongpo and Wilson Peralta.[2] Four years later they released their debut record on Intense. Lusis (Greek meaning Freedom) was produced by Terry Taylor. At the time of its release it was called "the strongest debut project to enter the alternative Christian market in years."[3]
Mortal is cited as one the first Christian bands that represented the industrial metal.[4] A duo led by Jerome Fontamillas and Jyro Xhan, Mortal was not exactly the first Christian band that played industrial but they had a notable role in that they opened ways for 1990s Christian industrial and industrial metal bands. Originally known as Mortal Wish, the band started out playing synthpop but changed to industrial metal around 1991. The band signed a record deal with Intense Records and released its first album Lusis in 1992, and it was well-received.[5] The second album Fathom (1993) was Mortal's most guitar-driven musically, and became one of the band's most popular releases.[6] The song ”Rift” was rearranged later and a music video was shot for it in 1994. The video dealt with the horrors of child abuse. Later, Mortal abandoned industrial metal and went for grunge sound.[5]
Mark Salomon and Jeff Bellew of Stavesacre appeared on Intense Live Series Vol. 5.
Wake was to be their final album. After their farewell tour, they formed Fold Zandura and released that band's debut. However, they returned to the Mortal name to release Pura in 1995, which featured synthesized instrumental sounds. That same year Jyro and Jerome released their debut as Fold Zandura geared more towards alternative rock. They followed up with a self-titled album on 5 Minute Walk Records in 1996. According to the liner notes, three songs were originally Fold Zandura songs. In 1998 they released a best of called Godspeed. It featured 13 album songs and 2 non-album songs.
In 2002 Jyro and Jerome released a Mortal reunion album called Nu-En-Jin with Tooth & Nail Records.
[edit] Members
- Jerome Fontamillas - Bass, vocals
- Jyro Xhan - Guitar, vocals
- Ed Benrock - Drums (1994-1995), formerly of Lifesavers Underground
- Troy Yahuda - Guitar (1994-1996)
[edit] Discography
- 1992: Lusis (Intense Records, Review: Cross Rhythms[7])
- 1993: Fathom (Intense Records, Review: Cross Rhythms[8])
- 1993: Intense Live Series Vol. 5 (Intense Records)
- 1994: Wake (Intense Records, Cross Rhythms[8])
- 1995: Pura (Intense Records, Review: Cross Rhythms[9])
- 1996: Mortal (5 Minute Walk, Review: The Lighthouse)
- 1998: Godspeed (KMG Records, compilation, Review: HM Magazine[10])
- 2002: Nu-En-Jin (Tooth & Nail Records, Reviews: Cross Rhythms[11], The Phantom Tollbooth, All Music Guide)
[edit] Charts
| Year | Album | Chart | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Fathom | Top Contemporary Christian | 32 |
| 1994 | Wake | Top Contemporary Christian | 21 |
[edit] References
- ^ Berman, Ed. Review: Mortal by Mortal. The Lighthouse Electronic Magazine.
- ^ Bush, John. allmusic ((( Mortal > Overview ))). All Music Guide.
- ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Mortal", Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, First printing, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 610. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
- ^ Lahtonen, Jussi (25.10.2005). White Metal (Finnish). Sue Rock Punk Metal Zine. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
- ^ a b Mortal. Automatapedia webzine. Open Publishing (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-13.
- ^ Figgis, Alex (1999-10-01). Mortal. Cross Rhythms. Open Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-10-13. “Nothing rivals such true genre classics as 'Neplusultra", 'Rift' or the phenomenal 'Bright Wings'. Truly a musical milestone any industrial dance/rock/metal fan would appreciate.”
- ^ Arkley, Ian (October 1992). "Mortal - Lusis". Cross Rhythms (12).
- ^ a b Figgis, Alex (October 1999). "Mortal - Lusis/Fathom". Cross Rhythms (53).
- ^ Jonathan, Evans (June 1996). "Mortal - Pura". Cross Rhythms (33).
- ^ McGovern, Brian Vincent (January/February 1999). "Album Reviews: Mortal Godspeed". HM Magazine (75). ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ Cummings, Tony (November 2003). "Mortal - Nu-En-Jin". Cross Rhythms (77).
[edit] Further reading
- "Mortal" (March / April 1996). 7ball Magazine (05).
[edit] External links
- Mortal/Fold Zandura discography, including the Mortal/Fold Zandura info file, the oldest Mortal/Fold Zandura fan site, by John Turpin
- The Sock Heaven BitTorrent Tracker, which provides downloads of Mortal's early work as Mortal Wish, plus demo work and a live show, via BitTorrent
- Mortal/Fold Zandura fan site that features full lyrics (including those for Mortal Wish's work) and concert photos
