Steve Rowe (03/03/05)

Steve Rowe, founding member, singer and bassist of Mortification, answered some interesting questions here. Read it & enjoy it!

Firstly Steve, can you give us an update of how your health has been lately?

My health is up & down but I am building a stronger body around all the internal damage following Leukaemia & a Bone Marrow Transplant plus spinal fluid cancer four months after the Transplant. One of the times I was given 2 hours to live.
By April '98 the second time I was given 2 hours to live I had lost a huge amount of weight, about 25 Kilograms. I am back up to 66 kilograms now after being down to 41 in April '98.
I have been in the gym for a year & I am throwing Discus, Javelin & Shot Put from a frame in a seated Para class. I have a pro coach & I am off to the Australian National Championships tomorrow to compete this weekend. So the paralysis remains and the internal damage but the gym training and throwing is making me very strong in the upper body and around the damaged areas.
The only reason I stopped competing in Track & Field in '84 was because I started my first Christian Metal band & we rehearsed on Saturdays when Inter club Comp was on. My dream was always to go to the Olympics as a Decathlete (10 events). I was a good all-round Track & Field Athlete, mainly a middle distance runner. But the dream to reach the world with Christian Metal took over because I could never get past the State Championships in athletics, let alone ever getting to the Olympics.

Can you share with us what has been happening lately in the Mortification camp?

We are rehearsing to start recording a new album mid to late year. Should have it out around Christmas/early 2006.

Mortifications latest album Brain Cleaner had a strong grind/death influence and was heralded by many fans as the bands best album since Post Momentary Affliction. Can you give us a hint of what influences we might hear on the next Mortification album?

We are looking to do something real old school. Not wanting to give too much away but I am working on some real 80's sounding death/ Thrash i.e. Death (The band) first 2 albums, Sodom, Kreator, Vengeance Rising. Some of Mike's stuff is sounding early Mort style & you got a taste of Mick's writing on Brain Cleaner. I will pen all the lyrics but the others will be sharing in the music writing. This line-up has a good sense of musical direction. I won't be experimenting as much with the vocals as I did on Brain Cleaner, will try to stick to what Mort is best at.
Think I have kind of used the years since Sherlock left in '93 to experiment with different ideas & now it is time to get back to some roots of the band. I always like adding Power Metal elements, especially for Guitar solos so that will remain to some degree.

The current line up has been together for nearly two years now and has seen the release of the well received "Brain Cleaner" album. Do you feel the band has settled on a line up that can take the band into the future?

Yes, this line-up is working well.

Are there any bands in the Christian metal scene at the moment that you are particularly excited about?

Divine Fire, Audio Vision, Narnia, Antidemon (Their first album rules!) Don't like black metal styles at all.

You have been serving the Lord by playing in metal bands for over 20 years now, what do think has been your most memorable moment?

Playing at The Full Force Festival in '94 with Napalm Death, Entombed & Sick of it all, plus others. That was amazing! A Christian band on stage with the big names in Death Metal & Hardcore Punk, and in Germany also.

What is your favourite song to play live?

Hammer of God

Mortification has a very loyal and strong fan base around the world, are there any plans for another world tour?

No we will just do very short tours & Festivals here & there as God opens the doors. Mike has a real important job, Mick & I have families & I am getting very involved with sport once again.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

God Rulz!!!!! & Be Blessed.

Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview Steve, much appreciated.

Interview taken by Jason Parkin