Structure From Chaos With LUKE FORD From MORTALITY

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.


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