Mortification: Scrolls Of The Megilloth | A Classic Not To Be Forgotten
(1992 – Nuclear Blast/Intense Records/Soundmass/Rowe Productions)
It’s one of those albums that stands the test of time. The CD you never tire of playing over and over again, despite the scratches of time. That cassette with the worn-out tape that still sounds like it did on the first day. The one everyone wants to have, and we could even say that it’s almost mandatory to have it. Yes, “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” is perhaps one of the classics of Death Metal and possibly the most revealing and controversial release of Christian-themed music ever released.
In the realm of Christian music, there was not a single Death Metal band. It is true that perhaps, somewhere, there was the Polish band “Creation Of Death,” to name one, but the reality is that “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” is the album that achieved a popularity that would eventually make it a classic, and it would be one of the cornerstones of extreme music with Christian content.
In those years, there were only clones of Stryper, Californian hard rock bands, a closed core of traditional heavy metal bands, and just a handful who wielded their instruments for thrash metal. It was then that from faraway Australia, Steve Rowe, Michael Carlisle, and Jayson Sherlock took on their most enduring masterpiece. In just 10 songs, they rotted ears, eradicated prejudices, and ultimately influenced an entire generation.
This work was recorded and released in 1992, produced by Doug Saunders at RBX Studios in Richmond, Melbourne, Australia. Prior to that, Mortification recorded an 8-track demo in December 1991, which in some way served to shape what this album would become.
“Scrolls Of The Megilloth” is the successor to Mortification’s first full-length album. The band took its first steps as “Lightforce” back in the 1980s, playing heavy metal. Changes in the lineup and musical style led to the band changing its name to Mortification, as the band had initially committed itself almost entirely to German-style thrash metal. Well, for their second album, the band upped the ante and went all out in a way that made it impossible for “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” not to become a classic. Their influence may lie in Napalm Death, Carcass, or Death themselves, but Mortification’s personality gives this work enough originality to seriously consider this album a classic of the genre.
The contract with the German label Nuclear Blast had its consequences. One of the best known, in addition to the distribution and wide dissemination of “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” around the world, was the opposition and threats to which both the label and the band itself were subjected by the usual suspects, with flyers such as the one shown in the image below.
Reviewing an album like this is no easy task. It must be said that, in principle, there are no bad, repetitive, or boring tracks here. Each song is a blow of serious considerations. The degree of inspiration in the composition reached such heights that Steve Rowe and company would never again achieve such virulence. Right from the start with “Nocturnal,” we can tell that we are dealing with a great album. Its intriguing beginning, full of “nocturnal” sounds, introduces us to the appropriate atmosphere. Almost immediately, we hear the guttural squawk that characterizes the beginning of “Terminal Damnation,” which alternates between mid-tempo riffs and full-speed blast beats. “Eternal Lamentation” raises the stakes, increasing the speed and fury, giving the ear no respite.
In “Raise The Chalice,” the pace becomes more stilted, giving way to “Lymphosarcoma,” one of the best tracks on the album with its characteristic riff. At this point, you can notice the absence of guitar solos and the fierce bass line, right up front, by Steve Rowe. The drumming is some of the best in the genre and has made Jayson Sherlock a classic of extreme music behind the drums (remember that he has been involved in other projects such as Horde and Paramaecium). “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” is the title track, fast and furious, as are ‘Necromanicide’ and “Death Requiem.” In our opinion, “Inflamed” is one of the highlights. With a ruthless sound and wild riffs, Steve Rowe and company describe eternity in hell in a very graphic way, both in lyrics and music. The finale is an epic piece of almost 11 minutes titled “Ancient Prophesy,” where a slower tempo and a solid base accompany almost the entire song.
There were some well-known figures in the scene among the guests. Roger Martinez (Vengeance Rising) and Andrew Tompkins (Paramaecium) appear on vocals and backing vocals, and it is worth noting that the impressive cover art for “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” was created by Jayson Sherlock, who, in addition to being an accomplished drummer, is also a talented graphic designer.
To promote the album, Mortification recorded three music videos for the songs “Raise The Chalice,” “Terminate Damnation,” and “Eternal Lamentation,” which we have included below for your enjoyment.
The album had several versions and was even reissued several times. We are fortunate to have in our hands a 2005 reissue by Rowe Productions (the record label founded by Steve Rowe himself), which includes bonus tracks that accompany the original playlist. These are four original demos from the recording that Mortification made prior to recording this album. Strictly speaking, “Terminate Damnation,” “Lymphosarcoma,” “Necromanicide,” and “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” are the demos in question, which sound much rawer and wilder than their corresponding “official” versions. It’s a way to hear how Mortification worked with their sound. Tremendously rough, hard, and gratifyingly heavy.
The artwork for this edition is also noteworthy. Impeccable, with many period photographs that were not in the original edition, plus a few words from Steve Rowe explaining the concept of the album and its great cover.
We also have another version of this album, the one that came out in the box set released in 2020 (“The Intense Years – 30th Anniversary Box Set”), which includes some bonus tracks, with live recordings from 1992.
“Scrolls Of The Megilloth” gave Mortification a reputation that, over time, with subsequent line-ups and works, faded a little because the truth is that the band would never again achieve such a level of virulence and such a powerful sound.
Steve Rowe would continue, as always, at the helm of the band. Michael Carlisle would leave after “Bloodworld” and form the band Cybergrind, with which he would reminisce about his good old days of thrash metal, while Jayson Sherlock would embark on projects such as the one-man black metal band Horde and his more or less stable collaboration with Paramaecium, always involved in extreme music projects.
The fact that this great album is once again available, thanks to countless reissues on both CD and vinyl, is truly something to be appreciated. Its sound seems ageless, and after more than 30 years, “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” has become an essential part of the genre. Why not delve into the varied discography and history of a band as underrated as Mortification has been throughout its long career?
“Scrolls Of The Megilloth” is a classic album that cannot be overlooked (or ignored). Its legacy lives on, and through this small tribute, we highlight its relevance and history, because there is never anything old in Metal, only classics…
