Mortification - Scribe of the Penateuch

ultmetal wrote:

GrandNational wrote:

Scott, I'm assuming those bonus tracks are not re-recorded, correct?

No, just four tracks from more recent recordings.

That's what I figured, I thought there might be a small chance Steve did what he did with the 20 year compilation by re-recording those old tunes.

I don't know if ult would even say if he disliked a Mort album...

So kmorg, what's your thoughts?

Haven't had time to listen to it yet

What on earth moved Steve to try those "clean" vocals? Leave that stuff for Wonrove Vision, and leave Mortification the way fans expect it to be!

I sooo hoped for this to be good, and I've listened to, and enjoyed, many of Mortifications latest releases over the past few wekks, to set myself in the mood for this one ("Brain Cleaner" is a favorite). While I enjoy some of this ("Extradiefor" and "Weapons Of Mass Destruction" are decent), the rest sounds uninspired to me.

I don't see the point in the last 4 tracks either. Fans already have those!

I don't know, I'll have to listen to it way more before I make my final judgement, but initial spins leaves me lukewarm.

Give it a few more spins. It'll grow on you!

ultmetal wrote:

Give it a few more spins. It'll grow on you!

got our first review from "White Throne Metal" Keven Crothers gives "Scribe of the Pentateuch" 9 outta 10..."a must buy!"

http://whitethronereviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/mortification-scribe-of-pentateuch.html

I think that "Wonrowe Vision" project watered down his metal chops. Hopefully he can (at least) recover back to the Brain Cleaner sound again.

Troublezone wrote:

I think that "Wonrowe Vision" project watered down his metal chops. Hopefully he can (at least) recover back to the Brain Cleaner sound again.

that review saying it was classic mortification sound apparently has not heard scrolls or PMA or even Break the Curse.

http://untombed.com/archives/6340

another great review! thank you,Bill Bafford!!!

When friends do the reviews, it's always bias. Just sayin'...

Troublezone wrote:

When friends do the reviews, it's always bias. Just sayin'...

Actually Bill called me and told me he loved the CD and he couldn't believe people here were bashing it so hard.

ultmetal wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

When friends do the reviews, it's always bias. Just sayin'...

Actually Bill called me and told me he loved the CD and he couldn't believe people here were bashing it so hard.

TZ makes a good point. Would we ever expect Bill to say this album sucks even if he really believed it did? Maybe, but who knows?

ultmetal wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

When friends do the reviews, it's always bias. Just sayin'...

Actually Bill called me and told me he loved the CD and he couldn't believe people here were bashing it so hard.

Bill called me today also..said how excited he was and how much he liked it!! he too expressed to me about the bashers! i think you are off TZ because I have read many of Scott's reviews..and i have seen bands/musicans that I know that he knows them.He is very fair and nonbiasedl and the same goes for Bill.both of these guys are my friends also..i told them to be honest and if they didnt like the new Mort cd that was ok..because at least they were honest about how they felt..and Scott,Bill and Keven all gave kudos to this cd!

jerseyultifan+ wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

When friends do the reviews, it's always bias. Just sayin'...

Actually Bill called me and told me he loved the CD and he couldn't believe people here were bashing it so hard.

Bill called me today also..said how excited he was and how much he liked it!! he too expressed to me about the bashers! i think you are off TZ because I have read many of Scott's reviews..and i have seen bands/musicans that I know that he knows them.He is very fair and nonbiasedl and the same goes for Bill.both of these guys are my friends also..i told them to be honest and if they didnt like the new Mort cd that was ok..because at least they were honest about how they felt..and Scott,Bill and Keven all gave kudos to this cd!

You want impartial opinions? I'd suggest you run a poll review from forum members

Those positive reviews might fool some few gullible fanboys but they can't fool the majority, just sayin'

I'm not trying to be mean... I'm just disappointed because the album was hyped as a return to the "Scrolls" sound, but to me it doesn't come close. And after hearing the samples, the reviews seem kinda absurd. Some people think their favorite bands can do no wrong. They should've stuck with what they did best instead of trying to be a jack of all trades. I think all the experimental detours have affected their sound.

Temple of Blood wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

Some people think their favorite bands can do no wrong.

sorry guys but,again i must disagree..i have been a promoter for 6 yrs and have managed Mort since last year and promoter for Ultimatum since 08.infact,it was Scott who sent me "Lex Metalis" and asked me to review prior to my job promoting his band! Both Scott and Steve Rowe could tell you that when i disagree with something or dislike something.i let my voice be heard. i was nicknamed "bulldog" for a good reason.to quote a song by Mortification "who do you worship? gods of wood and steel??"..i dont put any of them on a pedestool.but,i do encourage them and support them! and promote to my fullest! serving God by serving others! i do all to the best of my ability! nuff said my

You can still be a servant and say something doesn't click. Regardless if you are a promoter or anything else for that matter. I have been playing drums for over 39 years and does my opinion of a drummers playing on a cd or album hold any more merit than let's say a banker or mechanic ? No, it doesn't.

The jury is still out as to whether a bands promoter/manager is gonna be biased or not, they HAVE to get behind the product they are slingin. That being the band and the music they make. The way a person says the name of a band gives alot of leadway as to how much attachment is had to a band. A metal fan isn't gonna call Mortification "mort" or "morty". That just gives way to what I am trying to get across. I am way guilty of being more enthusiastic about a friends band and their music than a band I have no personal attachment to. See Neon Cross and alot of old Sanctuary bands as an example. It's just that I have no problem admitting to that.

What alot of "fans", casual or otherwise are saying about this new Mortification is that the hype was very misleading and the songs have no honesty in the performance department. It's one thing to go in a studio and play some notes but another to do something that you really wanna do. It is plainly obvious that Steve's mind heart and soul are someplace else when it comes to music and the type of ministry he wants to do. That is kewl. God has people do things for a season and the way I see it, that season for the ministry known as Mortification has ended and should be put to rest. Is he doing it out of obligation ? Is he doing it to stand on the merits of the past ? Who knows ? I do not, thats fer sures. Yet, with the various degrees of critique applied to the recent work of this band. It can easily make anybody wonder. Be it a friend, a fanboy. or just a metalhead someplace on earth.

James B. wrote:

God has people do things for a season and the way I see it, that season for the ministry known as Mortification has ended and should be put to rest. Is he doing it out of obligation ? Is he doing it to stand on the merits of the past ? Who knows ? I do not, thats fer sures. Yet, with the various degrees of critique applied to the recent work of this band. It can easily make anybody wonder. Be it a friend, a fanboy. or just a metalhead someplace on earth.

Should be put to rest? Why is that? Because some people don't like the music he is making? Because Mortification isn't as popular as they once were? Who cares. It's music. It's art. Steve seems to enjoy what he is doing and obviously isn't out to just appease the fans or he would have made "Scrolls Pt 2." Why should he quit just because some people don't like it?

Yes, I am a Mortification fanatic. Most people who know me, know that. It's not like I hide that fact. I like most of the Mort catalog. Never did care for "Silver Chord is Severed" and said as much. There is something to be said about giving your 'favorite bands' more of a chance than a band you don't know or don't care about. Regardless, I am liking this new release, some songs better than others. ("In Garland Hall" is probably the weakest track IMO. "Extradiefor" and "Jaws of Life" are my favorites.) It's been a good listen during cardiovascular workouts at 5:30 AM for the past couple weeks.

If people don't like the new Mortification, don't listen to it. There is no right or wrong here. It's just a matter of what you like and don't like. People seem to be hailing the new Demon Hunter as the best thing ever recorded. I find Demon Hunter to be boring, so I don't listen to it. Listen to what you like and ignore the rest.

James,i agree with you to a degree.one can not mang/promote without liking what the band/musican does! that is the reason for the enthusiaum and support for the project!! i could not promote or manage what i dont like!

Scott,i agree with you 100%! what keeps me a Mort.fan and Ultimatum fan is that both bands continue to break boundries and push the envelope! Steve Rowe has always been that way.makes sense..because the same sound on every single cd would get old pretty fast! its always to expect the unexpected with Mort! i can actually find at least 2 songs that i really like from every cd Mort has released! i am digging this new cd too.it is very different!
James,i agree,with Scott.why should he hang up his hat? because you dont "feel he has what it takes"??? as long as he can hold a bass;he will seek to do God's will and plan for his life and perform..he is an artist and paints with a different palet every time but,you can still reconize the artist! if you dont like it.dont listen! thanks for your kind words,Scott!!

Perhaps I may have been rash or harsh. If I offended anybody, forgivve me. My point was in regards to Mortification maybe calling it a day. IMHO, Steve's mind ,heart and soul are on other things musically. I know from experience (though not on a worldwide basis like Steve) that having multiple music ministries places one thin in the manner in which they can be used/utilized to the fullest.

Aside from my opinion/observation, I have supported Steve with prayer and money quite substantialy over the years. He has persevered through so much that most would more than likely curse God over and has been used by God in ways that most will never experience, much less understand.

The sound and style of the music have nothing to do with my view on this entire rant, so to speak. You can listen and it is pretty obvious that something isn't right with it. It is one thing to be a musician in a band and play and another thing altogether when you are in a band and that band is a ministry. You have a different accountability. I don't expect everyone to agree with me or even understand my point. I even expect some to say I am being judgemental. This isn't how I "feel"....it's what I know from experience. The cup doesn't stay full forever.

Nahhhh, takes much more than a comment on this board to offend me. Haha! Just participating in the conversation.

Those two sample songs are enough to convince me I won't like this album. Don't care for the vocals or the music. And early Morty vocals were brutal. But, I can honestly say I've never been a huge fan of Mortification. I own SOTM and PMA, but even those aren't "favorites" for me.

I know, I know, Scott, HOW CAN I PRE-ORDER IMPENDING DOOM AND BTA!!??
Leave me to my insanity.

ultmetal wrote:

Never did care for "Silver Chord is Severed" and said as much.

For some weird reason, I love this album and have listened to it more than any other Mortification album except for maybe Brain Cleaner, which is weird in itself too.