Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review


Mortification, Scrolls of the Megilloth
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Mortification
Scrolls of the Megilloth



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 50 minutes, 57 seconds
Street Date: 1992


READER RATING:   


Mortification was a pioneer of Christian metal beginning in the early 90's. These Australian metallers led by frontman and bassist Steve Rowe had a career which spanned over 20 years, bringing a much needed Christian witness to the burgeoning death metal scene. Their pinnacle album, Scrolls of the Megilloth, had a massive influence on bands such as Living Sacrifice, and Becoming The Archetype. The latter's first album bears the name of the brutal track "Terminate Damnation" featured here.

So why write a review of an album almost 30 years old? Well, good music doesn't have an expiration date, and I repeatedly find myself going back to Scrolls, not just for the metal (which has held up surprisingly well over the years), but also for the spiritually encouraging lyrics.

The album begins with the fantastic opener, "Nocturnal." The drums fade in slowly to the sounds of the night; crickets, owls, wolves, etc. A guitar riff joins in, and a loud blast leads you on your way to this death metal feast. This song speaks about Mortification's purpose, which is to be an influence for Christ in the darkest of places. "Nocturnal, creatures of the night...Eradicate effects of demon power, bind the grip of death upon the soul, infiltrate the words of hope and faith to the lost, bringing Jesus."

Metal music has always been a perfect vessel to hold some of the weightiest topics of the human experience. This is even more true for the Christian. Scrolls tackles such heavy topics such as eternal suffering ("Eternal Lamentation"), the occult ("Necromanicide"), cancer ("Lymphosarcoma"), funerals ("Death Requiem") and of course, our Lord's passion ("Ancient Prophecy"). These themes provide a fitting backdrop for Steve and Co's intelligent, straightforward, and biblical lyrics. The title track is about the five books of the Old Testament known as the Megilloth. Each verse speaks of one of the five books, which include Song of Solomon, Ruth, Esther, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes. This song showcases Mort's unique ability to blend in catchy, almost sing-along choruses to the death metal frenzy.

Musically, Scrolls never strays too far away from classic death metal characteristics. Rapid fire guitar riffs, low death metal growls, and blast beats are the name of the game here, although Mort is not afraid to slow things down. One thing that sets Mortification apart from other bands in this genre is the ever present bass guitar, and in a few sparkling moments, the bass shines all by itself. A few song-appropriate breaks do provide a bit of a respite from the metal onslaught. "Death Requiem" features a spoken word funeral eulogy, "Lymphosarcoma" includes sounds from a hospital room (this song would prove to be a foreshadowing as Steve would have to fight his own battle with cancer just a few years after this album's release), and the epic closer "Ancient Prophecy" uses a growled passage from Isaiah 53. These additions help make the songs stand out from one another, thus avoiding the all-too-common "all the songs sound the same" critique, though there's not much in the way of guitar solos or melodies which would have added more variety to the overall listening experience.

When all is said and done, Scrolls of the Megilloth is a landmark album in the history of Christian metal, and is still a good listen today. If you're into metal, do yourself a favor and go back to where Christian death metal all began, you may just find encouragement within the brutality.

A Message from Steve Rowe about the Album Cover:
"Last year, I studied at Bible college for a year and one subject I took was Old Testament survey. I realized when studying the books of the Old Testament that I had probably never even read some of them, especially the books of the Megilloth. When we read 2 Timothy 3:16, we realize that all Scripture is there for a purpose and should all be studied to guide us. The album cover depicts the Megilloth in a cave covered in cobwebs because it is never read by some. The skeleton is symbolic of many people whose spiritual lives are partly dead because they haven't received instruction from the entire Word of God."

- Review date: 5/13/20, written by Joel Zaloum of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: Intense
. Album length: 10 tracks: 50 minutes, 57 seconds
. Street Date: 1992
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Nocturnal (6:10)
  2. Terminate Damnation (6:19)
  3. Eternal Lamentation (6:30)
  4. Raise the Chalice (4:48)
  5. Lymphosarcoma (6:05)
  6. Scrolls of the Megilloth (4:29)
  7. Death Requiem (5:11)
  8. Necromanicide (4:58)
  9. Inflamed (3:27)
  10. Ancient Prophecy (11:42)


 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images