Mortification - Live Humanitarian
I would not want to trade my metal collection with anyone. Still it has many weaknesses. For example I only have one Mortification album, which is something I need to change. I know that will take me some time so it was nice to be sent their new Live Humanitarian DVD to tie me over.
The main reason to get this is to see Mortification's live concert at the The Grand Old IMAX Theatre in Perth in 2006. I often wondered how an Australian metal band would come up on DVD as I feared they would be unable to have the production quality that international acts do. Seconds in I knew there was nothing to worry about. The concert looks stunning and compares to any DVD I've ever seen.
Of course this would mean little if the music wasn't up to it so I'm relieved to say the set is impeccable. Being mostly unfamiliar with the songs I didn't realise how diverse Mortification are. At times the music was on the extreme side then on occasions it was almost classic metal and yet nothing seemed out of place.
Watching I became more enthralled the longer it went. As much as I was drawn to the songs I knew like Erasing The Goblin and Humanitarian, there were others that were better. The drumming alone on Purest Intent made the DVD worthwhile. Elsewhere Hammer Of God and Standing at the Door of Death had me embarrassed to be headbanging on my own. My favourite track though was Priests of the Underground although the brutal The Dead Shall be Judged came mighty close.
Criticisms of the concert are few. The song titles appeared at the beginning of each track, which killed the fantasy for me of pretending I'm there and the gig ended abruptly without any fanfare. This is all I could come up with, which sums up how good the DVD is.
Another important part of the show are the words of Mortification mainman Steve Rowe. While he says it better than I could I can tell you it's inspiring and emotional. Listening to him will give you greater respect for life. He has been through a lot and he isn't afraid to talk about it. Being a Christian his religious views also get a run but if that's not your thing you shouldn't be put off because Rowe's message comes from the heart, there's no preaching here.
If you want extras you won't be disappointed as there's plenty, which is wisely packed on a second disc. I'm sure all metalheads will find something they enjoy although it will predominantly appeal to diehards. I found the Steve's House segments the most interesting particularly the second part where Rowe discusses his CD collection. He talked up Motorhead more than I would and discussed Christian bands that I probably need to check out. I was fascinated by this and wish it went longer. The second disc also contains more music. There's the 1996 Envision Evangeline Film, a lengthy song that is definitely unique and there's highlights from their European Tour last year. Finally it shows Steve's Throwing Hobby, which demonstrates him competing at the Transplant Games. This could have done with an audio commentary to explain what was happening but I had to admire how open Rowe is. He obviously understands how people can benefit from hearing his experience.
Mortification have outdone themselves with this effort. The concert makes this DVD a necessary purchase, the bonus material means it's essential for any fan. It is a perfect package and it will be the measuring stick that I'll use when viewing something from another Australian metal band.
10 / 10
Live Humanitarian out now through Nuclear Blast.
http://www.roweproductions.com
http://www.soundmass.com
