Mortal (band)
Encyclopedia
Mortal was a Christian industrial
/dance
band fronted by Jerome Fontamillas
and Jyro Xhan
. Both members went on to found the alternative rock
group Fold Zandura
, and for a time were members of both bands simultaneously. The band is known for its lyrical intelligence, incorporating advanced theology
with what has been billed as "Industrial Praise and Worship." According to CCM Magazine
"Mortal has had a much greater influence... on industrial music than its modest output would suggest."
and Jyro Xhan
, Mortal was one of the first Christian bands to play industrial metal. While not actually the first to do so (having been preceded by Deitiphobia
), Mortal enjoyed significant success, and, along with other early contemporaries such as Circle of Dust
and Argyle Park
, played a notable role in paving the way for future Christian industrial and industrial metal bands.
The group began in 1988 as Mortal Wish, and produced a six-song demo with additional members Ray Tongpo and Wilson Peralta. They shortened their name, signed a record deal with Intense Records and released their first album Lusis
in 1992, produced by Terry Scott Taylor
and Allan Aguirre of Scaterd Few
. It was well-received by the critics, with CCM Magazine
dubbing Lusis the "strongest debut project to enter the Christian market in years." The second album Fathom
(1993) was Mortal's most guitar-driven, and became one of the band's most popular releases. The song ”Rift” was rearranged later and a music video was shot for it in 1994. The video dealt with the horrors of child abuse.
Mortal later experimented with a live band, and a grunge
sound on 1994's Wake
, as well as with a dance
-based meditational
sound on their follow-up, Pura
.
During this time, the band became mired in legal issues involving their label, leading to on-again, off-again attempts to retire the name Mortal. As Gyro would report to True Tunes News
in 1994: "I have peace with the fact that Mortal will permanently quit... There are legal things happening with our label that will end Mortal as a name." The duo formed Fold Zandura
partly to get around these issues, partly to carve out a more alternative rock sound. Fold Zandura released one album and three eps.
The Mortal moniker was revived in order to release a self-titled album on 5 Minute Walk
Records in 1996. According to the liner notes, three songs were originally Fold Zandura songs. In 1998 they released a best of called Godspeed. It featured 13 album songs and 2 non-album songs.
In 2000 Jerome joined Switchfoot
as a session musician and later joined them full time.
In 2002 Jyro and Jerome released a Mortal reunion album called Nu-En-Jin
with Tooth & Nail Records
, featuring an updated industrial sound, consisting mostly of heavily distorted looping electronics. Lyrically, the songs have a very sci-fi flare, with the liner notes detailing the various fictional alternative universes in which they are supposedly set.
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
/dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
band fronted by Jerome Fontamillas
Jerome Fontamillas
Jerome Earl Fontamillas is a Filipino American musician. Jerome has played in several bands notably with industrial rock band Mortal and Fold Zandura, with long time musical partner Jyro Xhan. He currently plays with alternative rock band Switchfoot as a guitar and keyboard player.In 1985...
and Jyro Xhan
Jyro Xhan
Jyro Xhan is the stage/pen name of Filipino American musician Jeff La Villa. He lives in California. He is a singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist and keyboard player. He has been in several bands such as Jyradelix, Cush, Juggernautz, but most notably Mortal and Fold Zandura. He was the main...
. Both members went on to found the alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
group Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura is an alternative rock band from California. They released four albums between 1995 and 1999 plus one white 7" vinyl. Each album was released under a different label. The two premier members also founded the industrial band Mortal. Their songs are "love songs and praise songs"...
, and for a time were members of both bands simultaneously. The band is known for its lyrical intelligence, incorporating advanced theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
with what has been billed as "Industrial Praise and Worship." According to CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine was a monthly magazine published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. It was first published in July 1978, and it has always been a Christian music magazine. On January 16, 2008, Salem announced that the April 2008 issue would be the final printed issue of the...
"Mortal has had a much greater influence... on industrial music than its modest output would suggest."
Background
A duo led by Jerome FontamillasJerome Fontamillas
Jerome Earl Fontamillas is a Filipino American musician. Jerome has played in several bands notably with industrial rock band Mortal and Fold Zandura, with long time musical partner Jyro Xhan. He currently plays with alternative rock band Switchfoot as a guitar and keyboard player.In 1985...
and Jyro Xhan
Jyro Xhan
Jyro Xhan is the stage/pen name of Filipino American musician Jeff La Villa. He lives in California. He is a singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist and keyboard player. He has been in several bands such as Jyradelix, Cush, Juggernautz, but most notably Mortal and Fold Zandura. He was the main...
, Mortal was one of the first Christian bands to play industrial metal. While not actually the first to do so (having been preceded by Deitiphobia
Deitiphobia
Deitiphobia is a Christian industrial / electro / techno band from the United States formed in 1990 consisting of the duo of Wally Shaw and Brent Stackhouse. Known originally as Donderfliegen , the band changed names to Deitiphobia in 1991 to better clarify the band's focus on Christianity...
), Mortal enjoyed significant success, and, along with other early contemporaries such as Circle of Dust
Circle of Dust
Circle of Dust were a 1990s Industrial rock band created and run by Klayton who is now more widely known for his solo band Celldweller. Circle of Dust was, along with contemporaries Mortal and Deitiphobia, instrumental in bringing industrial metal to the Christian alternative metal scene...
and Argyle Park
Argyle Park
For the park of the same name in Babylon, NY, see Argyle Lake ParkArgyle Park was an underground industrial rock supergroup founded in New York City in 1994 and active until 1996. Members of the group reformed under the name AP2 in 1998, and were active under that name until winter 2000...
, played a notable role in paving the way for future Christian industrial and industrial metal bands.
The group began in 1988 as Mortal Wish, and produced a six-song demo with additional members Ray Tongpo and Wilson Peralta. They shortened their name, signed a record deal with Intense Records and released their first album Lusis
Lusis
Lusis is the debut album of Christian industrial dance band Mortal. Though not the first Christian industrial music album, it helped to popularize the genre. CCM single "Mytho X" became a hit on the Christian metal charts, and Mortal was named the best new band 1992 in a CCM Magazine readers' poll...
in 1992, produced by Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies . Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative music group, Lost Dogs. He is currently based in San Jose, California, USA.Taylor is highly regarded for...
and Allan Aguirre of Scaterd Few
Scaterd Few
Scaterd Few was a Christian punk band originating from Burbank, California. CCM magazine described their music as "pure punk for dread people," stating that it was a cross between Janes Addiction and Charlie Mingus.-Sin Disease era:...
. It was well-received by the critics, with CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine was a monthly magazine published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. It was first published in July 1978, and it has always been a Christian music magazine. On January 16, 2008, Salem announced that the April 2008 issue would be the final printed issue of the...
dubbing Lusis the "strongest debut project to enter the Christian market in years." The second album Fathom
Fathom (album)
Fathom is the second album by Christian dance rock band Mortal, and is generally considered the band's best album. The band produced the album along with Terry Scott Taylor of Daniel Amos. It peaked at No...
(1993) was Mortal's most guitar-driven, and became one of the band's most popular releases. The song ”Rift” was rearranged later and a music video was shot for it in 1994. The video dealt with the horrors of child abuse.
Mortal later experimented with a live band, and a grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
sound on 1994's Wake
Wake (Mortal album)
Wake is the third full-length studio album by Christian hard rock band Mortal. For this album, the band moved away from industrial and embraced a more alternative rock-based sound. The album reached No...
, as well as with a dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
-based meditational
Meditation music
Meditation music includes music played with or listened to during meditation, music the performance of which is a meditation, or music which is meditative...
sound on their follow-up, Pura
Pura (album)
Mortal Presents: Pura is the fourth full-length studio album by Christian dance band Mortal.-Track listing:#Judah #Grip #Sand Starr #Solamente #Nightfall and Splendor #Pura #Liquid Gift #Gaza #Bells #The Nightfall...
.
During this time, the band became mired in legal issues involving their label, leading to on-again, off-again attempts to retire the name Mortal. As Gyro would report to True Tunes News
True Tunes News
-Background:John J. Thompson founded True Tunes News out of his Wheaton, Illinois Christian record shop, True Tunes. The store itself, founded in 1989, with Chris Langill, was relatively unique because it focused exclusively on alternative Christian music at a time when Christian bookstores...
in 1994: "I have peace with the fact that Mortal will permanently quit... There are legal things happening with our label that will end Mortal as a name." The duo formed Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura is an alternative rock band from California. They released four albums between 1995 and 1999 plus one white 7" vinyl. Each album was released under a different label. The two premier members also founded the industrial band Mortal. Their songs are "love songs and praise songs"...
partly to get around these issues, partly to carve out a more alternative rock sound. Fold Zandura released one album and three eps.
The Mortal moniker was revived in order to release a self-titled album on 5 Minute Walk
5 Minute Walk
5 Minute Walk is an independent record label founded by Frank Tate in April, 1995. Their operations were based in Concord, California in the back offices of "The Screem", a live alternate music club operated by Tate. They only carried Christian bandsDryve: Yeah, that was like the first thing...
Records in 1996. According to the liner notes, three songs were originally Fold Zandura songs. In 1998 they released a best of called Godspeed. It featured 13 album songs and 2 non-album songs.
In 2000 Jerome joined Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
as a session musician and later joined them full time.
In 2002 Jyro and Jerome released a Mortal reunion album called Nu-En-Jin
Nu-En-Jin
Nu-En-Jin is a 2002 album by Christian industrial band Mortal, and was recorded by the band after a six year hiatus.-Track listing:#Tenn0 #Mr Ar0chet #Dymenshan #Vilan Corp [Spy MX] #FMZ4...
with Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
, featuring an updated industrial sound, consisting mostly of heavily distorted looping electronics. Lyrically, the songs have a very sci-fi flare, with the liner notes detailing the various fictional alternative universes in which they are supposedly set.
Members
- Jerome FontamillasJerome FontamillasJerome Earl Fontamillas is a Filipino American musician. Jerome has played in several bands notably with industrial rock band Mortal and Fold Zandura, with long time musical partner Jyro Xhan. He currently plays with alternative rock band Switchfoot as a guitar and keyboard player.In 1985...
- Bass, vocals - Jyro XhanJyro XhanJyro Xhan is the stage/pen name of Filipino American musician Jeff La Villa. He lives in California. He is a singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist and keyboard player. He has been in several bands such as Jyradelix, Cush, Juggernautz, but most notably Mortal and Fold Zandura. He was the main...
- Guitar, vocals - Ed Benrock - Drums (1994–1995), formerly of Lifesavers UndergroundLifesavers UndergroundLifesavers Underground was one of many Michael Knott projects. The band formed in 1986 and combined elements of an earlier Knott project called Idle Lovell and LSU's sunnier alter ego Lifesavers....
- Troy Yasuda - Guitar (1994–1996)
Discography
- 1992: LusisLusisLusis is the debut album of Christian industrial dance band Mortal. Though not the first Christian industrial music album, it helped to popularize the genre. CCM single "Mytho X" became a hit on the Christian metal charts, and Mortal was named the best new band 1992 in a CCM Magazine readers' poll...
(Intense RecordsIntense RecordsIntense Records was an independent record label whose releases were mostly in the metal genre. Intense was bought out in 1989 by Frontline Records and became an imprint of that company...
, Reviews: Cross Rhythms, CCM Magazine) - 1993: FathomFathom (album)Fathom is the second album by Christian dance rock band Mortal, and is generally considered the band's best album. The band produced the album along with Terry Scott Taylor of Daniel Amos. It peaked at No...
(Intense Records, Review: Cross Rhythms) - 1993: Intense Live Series Vol. 5Intense Live Series Vol. 5Intense Records Presents: Recorded Live, Vol. 5 is an live studio EP by Christian industrial duo Mortal. The album includes covers of U2's "One Tree Hill," and Amy Grant/Michael W...
(Intense Records) - 1994: WakeWake (Mortal album)Wake is the third full-length studio album by Christian hard rock band Mortal. For this album, the band moved away from industrial and embraced a more alternative rock-based sound. The album reached No...
(Intense Records, Cross Rhythms, CCM Magazine) - 1995: PuraPura (album)Mortal Presents: Pura is the fourth full-length studio album by Christian dance band Mortal.-Track listing:#Judah #Grip #Sand Starr #Solamente #Nightfall and Splendor #Pura #Liquid Gift #Gaza #Bells #The Nightfall...
(Intense Records, Review: Cross Rhythms) - 1996: Mortal (5 Minute Walk5 Minute Walk5 Minute Walk is an independent record label founded by Frank Tate in April, 1995. Their operations were based in Concord, California in the back offices of "The Screem", a live alternate music club operated by Tate. They only carried Christian bandsDryve: Yeah, that was like the first thing...
, Reviews: The Lighthouse, CCM Magazine) - 1998: Godspeed (KMG RecordsKMG RecordsKMG Records was a Christian record label. The label was established in 1997 by Buddy Killen as a subunit of the Killen Music Group / Buddy Killen Enterprises and sold in late 1998 to Cal Turner III, who is related to the Cal Turner of Dollar General stores...
, compilation, Review: HM Magazine) - 2002: Nu-En-JinNu-En-JinNu-En-Jin is a 2002 album by Christian industrial band Mortal, and was recorded by the band after a six year hiatus.-Track listing:#Tenn0 #Mr Ar0chet #Dymenshan #Vilan Corp [Spy MX] #FMZ4...
(Tooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
, Reviews: Cross Rhythms, The Phantom Tollbooth, [ Allmusic], HM MagazineHM MagazineHM: The Hard Music Magazine is an American bimonthly publication focusing on both Christianity and hard rock. Articles include news, album and festival reviews, posters, artists to watch, indie artist reviews, devotionals and interviews with Christian artists...
)
Charts
| Year | Album | Chart | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Fathom | Top Contemporary Christian | 32 |
| 1994 | Wake | Top Contemporary Christian | 21 |
External links
- Mortal/Fold Zandura discography, including the Mortal/Fold Zandura info file, the oldest Mortal/Fold Zandura fan site, by John Turpin
- The Sock Heaven BitTorrent Tracker, which provides downloads of Mortal's early work as Mortal Wish, plus demo work and a live show, via BitTorrent
- Mortal/Fold Zandura fan site that features full lyrics (including those for Mortal Wish's work) and concert photos