Every now and then instead of featuring a new artist on Electro Pulse, I’m going to feature an older or defunct artist that newer fans might not be aware of.
When you say industrial most people’s mind goes directly to Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, or KMFDM. But what about Mortal? Started in 1988 by Jyro Xhan and Jerome Fontamillas (Currently plays keyboards for Switchfoot) the band has put out a discography that includes 6 full length albums, 1 live EP, and 1 “best of” album and has released material on Intense Records, 5Minute Walk, KMG, and Tooth & Nail. In addition to being busy with Mortal Jerome and Jyro were also busy creating music as Fold Zandura. Their debut Lusis on Intense in 1992 earned them the title Best New Band by CCM Magazine which called it the “strongest debut project to enter the Christian market in years.” The band became known for their upfront praise and worship style lyrics.
When I was about 15 someone gave me a copy of Mortal’s Fathom and I instantly fell in love (to date it’s still my favorite Mortal album) and began tracking down copies of all their other releases. In doing so I found a band that was incredibly diverse in their musical creativity, each album has a very distinct sound and sets itself apart from the others.
Rather than try to pick one to review I’m going to give you a little snippet of each. I have uploaded songs from most every release that you can listen to below.
We’ll start with Lusis from 1992, this is my second favorite Mortal album and it features a heavy electronic sound most closely compared to Nine Inch Nails’ debut Pretty Hate Machine.
Listen to “Enfleshed” off “Lusis” by Mortal
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In 1993 the band released Fathom which is their heaviest release, the album brought a more metal feel to the table. Listen to Neplusultra from Fathom
Also in 1993 Mortal released a Live EP for Intense Records live series, it included 4 live originals and covers of Amy Grant’s Thy Word and U2′s One Tree Hill. Listen to Thy Word from Intense Live Vol 5.
1994 brought the release of Wake which featured a more grunge sound as well as a cover of The Beatles Nowhere Man. Listen to “Moons and Suns” from “Wake”
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In 1995 Pura was released, it brought with it a much more ambient and relaxed sound than previous releases. Listen to “Liquid Gift” from “Pura”
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In 1996 Mortal released their first album not on the Intense label, instead releasing through 5 Minute Walk. The self titled album brought back the heavy synths and guitar work and is probably the most accessible album.
Listen to “Mission” from “Pura”
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After the self titled release Mortal went quiet with the exception of a “best of” release in 1998 titled Godspeed until 2002 when, after a 6 year hiatus the band released Nu-En-Jin on Tooth and Nail Records. This is the release that newer fans of electronica will find easiest to get into as it has a more modern sound to it. The album is intense and very sci-fi feeling. This album also features redone versions of Mytho X (guest vocals by Jon Foreman of Switchfoot) and The Word Is Alive from Mortal’s debut album Lusis.
Listen to “FMZ4″ from “Nu-En-Jin”
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To my knowledge Mortal only ever released one music video for Rift off of Fathom. The video deals with the subject of child abuse and some may find it to be disturbing.
Chris W, 23, lives in Alexandria, VA (right outside Washington DC) with his wife Lexi and is by profession a pastry chef, and by hobby synthpop artist Ursa Robotica. 
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After Mortal, didn’t they later go on to form the band Juggernaut?
Daniel, It was only Jyro (out of the 2) who was involved with Juggernautz.
The self titled album was released in 2002 from memory via Metro 1 records not too far from the time tooth and nail released Nu-En-Jin.
He has also been involved with LCNA (formally known as Lucena) who released an ep in 2007, nothing like Mortal :( and even slower than Fold Zandura) however loving his vocal ability, was still an album i really enjoyed .. that project only lasted a couple of years.. he did say it would reform under another name, however we are either still waiting, or it is not going to happen.
I love this review, and enjoyed Mortal (their hard industrial side, not so much the mellow aspects brought out in the later days) and have so many good memories from their releases that will remain with me for life .. It is awesome to see this dug up, not only as a memory but also to enlighten maybe those who never heard of Mortal, and it is not to late to enjoy their music.
Oh HAD TO ADD THIS… my 1st contact with Jyro was via the rave project “Jyradelix”.
I still love the “invincible” album .. cheezy rave but so much fun (with the hint of industrial style which was later shown in the Mortal project).. I did not even realise it was him in Mortal until fathom was released .. totally missed out on knowing Lusis was released until pura came out (oops) .. anyways thought i would show another side of Jyro to add to this Mortal thread .. always fun to look back
Wth? jyro had a “rave” solo album out b4 mortal? Link please, lol.
Sikness!! Lets hope jerome has time 4 a mortal reunion sumtime soon!!
Excellent feature! I’ve never given Mortal the honest listen I should. Maybe now is the time…
Thank you so much for writing this. I found it on accident and couldn’t be more happy about it! Mortal is still one of my favorite bands today. I stopped listening to Christian music decades ago but Jerome and Jyro’s music stands up to industrial band out there. Lusis and Fathom were records that were way ahead of their time. I enjoy their other albums and projects but not the same way as I love these two (as well as the Intense Live Series one). I am a huge music fan but there have only been a handful of bands that I connect with the music so intensely and completely with and Mortal is at the top of that list.
Thanks again!