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MORTIIS
THE STARGATE ALBUM EARACHE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 20, 1999 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 15, 1999 
Is this what happens when you overdose on Dungeons & Dragons? Some Norwegian guy ponders in a dark corner, searching for an inner creative truth, and ends up looking like a crossing of a pinioned bat and the Wicked Witch of the West. This ridiculous alter ego is then named Mortiis. And as most of you have already guessed, the concept is based on some form of medieval mumbo jumbo. Accordingly, "The Stargate" is crammed with magic, witchcraft, deities and other "mysterious" stuff. But unfortunately also with thoroughly uninteresting music. Bombastic intentions are crushed by a hopelessly lame, synthetic sound. It should by now be obvious that, when producing this kind of music, a standard sound from cheap synthesizers isn't a very good substitute for a live orchestra. But some people just never learn. The rather beautiful voice of the female vocalist is actually the only positive element on this tedious album. And frankly - if I was in her clothes I would instantly leave this sinking boat called Mortiis and search for a more fertile soil to develop my talents. ERIK ALMGREN |
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