Mick Jelinic Shares His Impressions | Mortification In Argentina And Latin America

The truth is that it was all a surprise, a real and pleasant surprise. Mortification back at it again, kicking off a commemorative tour for “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” right here on this side of the planet, and after so long. Tell me, isn’t that almost crazy?
But happily, it’s true, the absolute truth. That respect and attention the band has historically shown toward us, Latinos, is what makes the legend grow ever greater. However, we still don’t know if the tour will extend to other parts of the globe, but the important thing (at least for us Latin Americans) is that we’ll have the privilege of witnessing something truly historic.

The lineup announced for this tour is also surprising. It includes members of Mortification from all eras, in a sort of nod to every part of their long history. Jayson Sherlock on drums (1991–1993), plus Lincoln Bowen on guitar (1996–2001 and 2011–2016) and Mick Jelinic on guitar as well (2002–2010), joined by Luke Renno of Crimson Thorn on bass and vocals, who will have the difficult task of replacing Mortification frontman Steve Rowe, who will be unable to tour due to his delicate health.
We had a brief chat with Mick Jelinic, who told us about Steve and his health, saying that “Unfortunately in 2016, Steve had a stroke, which he has never really recovered from. He is now in a wheelchair and has lost the ability to play bass and to also sing”, which ultimately answers all the questions and speculation surrounding Steve Rowe’s absence from this tour, especially considering that, since the band’s inception, he has been its only permanent member, as well as the leader of Mortification.

Even so, regardless of his current situation, Mick tells us that Steve is by no means giving up. “I live far from Steve but we try to catch up often as we can. He still enjoys watching concerts and listening to music. With all he has been through he is still strong in faith, a true inspiration”, he told us, which confirms one thing: Steve Rowe has always been a warrior of metal and of life, and he still is, just as he always has been.
“I have mixed emotions. Really excited but at the same time sad that Steve can’t be part of the tour”, Mick also told us, sharing in some way that strange mix of emotions felt by those of us who have had the privilege and good fortune to see Steve Rowe fronting Mortification in the past years. Clearly, this is no small matter, but even so, the lineup chosen for this tour has been selected and approved by Steve, who, together with the tour organizers (Brazil’s “En Hakkore Records”), has shaped the band’s tour across Latin America. Furthermore, it is Rowe himself who is behind various aspects of the tour, such as the selection of the set list, the visual identity, and more. A video posted in which Steve Rowe himself, alongside his son Leighton, discusses his health and the details of this tour is a perfect example of this.

“It happened so quick…” admits Mick Jelinic. “It all started when a promoter from Brazil started contacting former members of the band. I then put him in touch with Steve Rowe and before we knew it, the tour was happening”; which confirms that Rowe is the one who, even from a distance, remains in charge of Mortification and everything related to the band.
The curiosity centers on how Mortification will sound with this unprecedented lineup, featuring band members from different eras of the group who have never shared the stage. Added to that is the addition of Luke Renno from Crimson Thorn on bass and vocals. Regarding this, Mick told us that “Even though we have never played together, we are all looking forward to the tour. Lincoln, Jayson and I will get together at some stage to rehearse. Luke is from the USA, I had a listen to some Youtube videos of him and he does sound a lot like Steve”, which is absolutely true. If you’re familiar with Crimson Thorn’s music, you’ll know exactly what Mick Jelinic is talking about.
As for other former members of Mortification, Mick told us that “Adam Zaffarese and Mick Carlisle were also contacted to be included as part of the tour, but unfortunately they can’t make it”; a real shame, especially for those of us who remember Adam from the 2001 Latin American tour, where he was behind the drums with his energetic style—and yes, Michael Carlisle is none other than the guitarist who crafted those thick, powerful riffs on “Scrolls Of The Megilloth”…

The setlist, for now and understandably, remains a complete mystery. Given that the tour commemorates the 35th anniversary of the release of “Scrolls Of The Megilloth,” we imagine that album will carry significant weight in the song selection, but it wouldn’t hurt to expect Mortification classics from eras when both Lincoln Bowen and Mick Jelinic were part of the lineup. Luke Renno, with his powerful vocal range, offers the chance to also enjoy songs from Mortification’s early days. In any case, the lucky few who will get to witness the tour’s first show firsthand will be our brothers in Chile, the destination set for the tour’s kickoff on February 4 in Santiago.
A significant detail about this entire tour is that Mortification won’t be alone. In addition to potential local support acts in each country they visit, the tour is rounded out by two major names on the lineup. One is Antidemon, undoubtedly the most humble and prominent Brazilian extreme underground band on the continent, and Terraphobia will also be part of the lineup.

For those unfamiliar with them, Terraphobia is none other than the band led by Mick Jelinic himself, who, despite what many believe, has a long history in the underground scene. By the way, Terraphobia focuses on Thrash Metal, and this will be the first time we’ll have the chance to see them play live. In that regard, Jelinic confirmed to us that he will obviously be playing with Mortification, but he’ll also be performing with Terraphobia. “The other thing that makes this tour so special for me is that my son David, will be joining me on stage with Terraphobia”, the guitarist admitted. “We will both be playing guitar. David officially joined Terraphobia during the recording of our latest album “Rise”.
By the way, it’s worth noting that Terraphobia also has other releases, such as their 2011 album “Evilution”, as well as a few demos and EPs floating around out there. “We are currently working out which songs will be part of the tour setlist. We will include songs from Rise, Evilution and as well as a few other surprises thrown in”, Mick told us.

Not only is Mortification alone worth the trip, but Terraphobia is also on the lineup—an intriguing act that we don’t often get to see in Latin America. To round out the lineup, the Brazilian band Antidemon will also be joining the tour and will accompany Mortification and Terraphobia throughout the entire run, which promises to be a historic event for White Metal in the region.
As we mentioned, the tour will officially kick off on February 4, 2027, in Santiago, Chile, and will then continue through Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Costa Rica, finally wrapping up at various venues in Brazil. In Argentina, the event will take place at Uniclub in Buenos Aires, tickets are already on sale and can be purchased via the link below. Will new dates or locations be added? That’s not something we can confirm at this time. In any case, below is the tour’s official Instagram page, so you can check out everything related to this massive tour that promises to be historic…and to give you a closer look at what “Scrolls Of The Megilloth” is all about, here are a few music videos filmed in 1992, featuring classics from that very album….