Interview by Kris Peters
Mortality changed the landscape of Australian heavy metal when they burst onto the local scene back in 1992.
Powered by an aggressive blending of thrash, death and groove metal, the band quickly established themselves as not just a musical force, but also a devastating and brutal live act that bludgeoned every aural sense possible. The world was theirs for the taking, with their 1997 album Structure gaining universal acclaim and paving the way for international dominance.
But, unfortunately, just six months later Mortality went on hiatus, unsure if or when they would return to the fold.
After a one-off sold-out show at the Empire Hotel, the band returned to the darkness once more, leaving a multitude of fans and lovers of metal in general demanding - but not necessarily receiving - more.
While COVID ravaged the planet, it also provided the catalyst for a rebirth of Mortality and, as whispers slowly gave way to thunder, it became evident that the Metal Gods had intervened and renewed the spark in the Sydney metal outfit.
2024 is the official return of Mortality, with the band set to play a leading role in Necrosonic Festival at Brisbane's Mansfield Tavern on August 31 alongside Psycroptic, Crypt, Lo!, Misery, Bulletbelt and more.
HEAVY caught up with bass player Luke Ford to find out more. We start by asking if the nerves have kicked in for Necrosonic yet.
"We're ready," he shot back. "We've been rehearsing for close to a year, so it's good to get out of our room (laughs) and actually see people respond to what it is that we're doing. You never really know. We thought it was good. We thought we were doing well. But until you get in front of a crowd, and you've got all the usual elements that can impact it, you don't really know. Everyone's been doing music a long time and played in various bands over the years, so it was good when we did play last week to get the reaction that we were hoping for. Not really apprehensive, more just ready to destroy, to be honest."
In the full interview, Luke talks more about Necrosonic Festival and the importance such gigs have on the Australian music scene, what bands he is looking forward to catching up with, the early days of Mortality, where their sound came from, their attitude towards self-promotion and getting their name out there, the changing landscape of music that saw them shift tides leading into the 1997 album Structure, their disbandment 6 months after that album and what led to the decision, the decision to reform Mortality and how it came about, writing new music, their first live show back last weekend, future plans and more.