Thanks to Jason Parkin for conducting the following interview with Steve Rowe regarding the upcoming Mortification album "Erasing the Goblin":
Congratulations on the completion of the soon to be released "Erasing the Goblin". We understand it has been quite a journey to get to this point. Can you tell us about what's been happening over the past year or so?
We were hoping to start recording in June last year but we had a parting of ways with drummer Mike Forsberg. Mick Jelinic has been long time friends with Damien Percy and so the decision for Damien to join us on this album was made after an audition in July. There has been a big revolving door of people coming through the band but Damien is fitting in well with what we do and, as you will hear, is a stellar drummer; fast and precise which suits the way Mick and I play.
When Mortification came together to write the new album did you have a clear idea of what you wanted to achieve, or did you wait and see how the songs progressed?
We set out to do an old-school death metal/thrash style album; a bit more of a "real" sound. So the chainsaw guitar sound is back but just a little more polished than early albums. "Erasing..." has turned out to be a very death metal release but there are (also) many elements of thrash, power metal and punk metal. Generally the vocals are very old-school, with deep growls mixed with shrieking vocals. It is a brutal release.
How does drummer Damien Percy's style slot into the Mortification style?
Perfectly. He is so tight and has some very creative and original double-kick work. There is some very extreme drumming on this album but also very controlled. Not too chaotic, just precise.
There certainly has been much excitement surrounding "Erasing..." amongst fans. Many are itching to hear the new album. What can you tell fans about the album that they might not already know?
Pray that I make wise decisions concerning the release. We have a great offer from Germany and we are working out the details at the moment.
Are there any song titles you can share with us?
Full song list:
1- Razorback
2- Erasing the Goblin
3- The Dead shall be Judged
4- Escape the Blasphemous Tabernacle
5- Your Time
6- Forged in Stone
7- Way Truth Life
8- Humanitarian
9- Short Circuit
10- Servants of the Supreme Message
11- Dead Man Walking.
Can you explain the meaning behind "Erasing the Goblin" and what the main lyrical themes are?
"Erasing the Goblin" is about killing those sins that just keep hanging around in your life. (There are) many topics on the album, all from a Christian perspective; always the salvation message, Judgement Day, the only escape from evil being Jesus, foundations of faith, sharing our wealth with the poor, greed, suicide, my time with leukaemia.
In light of Mortification's extensive back-catalogue, how do you see "Erasing..." compared to past albums?
It's more extreme than anything since "Post Momentary..." More of an old-school idea.
Mortification has been in the heavy metal business for many years now. What keeps the fire burning still strong today?
To see people won to faith in Jesus. To encourage Christians in their Christian walk. A love of quality metal music. | 
