Simon RushworthMark Morton — Without The Pain (Snakefarm)
Worried Without The Pain’s one of those wearisome side projects rustled up to stave off the boredom while the band’s taking a break?
No need to fret (so to speak).
There are side projects and then there are standout, standalone bodies of work that transcend anything that’s gone before.
Mark Morton’s new solo record is one of those rare gems: it’s reflective, rootsy and suitably riff heavy.
And it sounds nothing like Lamb Of God. Thank God.
Morton’s made his name as a bona fide metal lord but Without The Pain reveals a side to this multi-talented muso that’s both refreshing and revelatory.
Who knew one of the architects of A New American Gospel could so comfortably turn his hand to soothing Southern rock, riotous outlaw country and blushing heavy blues?
Even 2019’s debut solo album Anesthetic is nothing like this.
That classic rock showcase wasn’t Lamb-heavy but it was harder than what’s here.
And Without The Pain’s a genuine game changer as far as Morton’s meandering musical journey’s concerned.
In many respects it’s very on trend and of its time: country music’s spawning would-be rockers right, left and centre right now and Cody Jinks features on two of the best tunes here.
Morton’s cast of A-list collaborators reads like a who’s who of the hottest Southern-soaked, alt country blues brothers on the planet right now.
Aching for rock from the heart that’s as powerful as it’s passionate? Without The Pain provides instant relief.
Without The Pain‘s paracetamol rock
Now Without The Pain’s not without it’s truly heavy moments.
Forever In The Light — featuring Rushonrock-approved rabble rousers Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown — is a blues-infused banger replete with beefy Hammond.
Then there’s Nocturnal Sun.
Troy Sanders (Mastodon) and Jared James Nichols turn things up to 11 on a track that echoes classic Audioslave.
A hangover from the Anesthetic sessions? Maybe. But it’s one of the richest heavy rock songs you’ll hear all year.
Elsewhere Without The Pain is effortlessly cool, exciting, experimental and, above all, endearingly honest.
It could well be the perfect companion piece to Morton’s deeply personal autobiography Desolation: A Heavy Metal Memoir. If you’ve read it then there’s plenty here that resonates.
Red hot opener Hell & Back, with The Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston delivering a vocal tour de force, sets the self-reflective tone.
That it’s juxtaposed with the stirring Brother (a Jinks collab) is a masterstroke: the record’s all about switching moods, asking questions and challenging preconceptions.
Blacktop Mojo’s Matt James owns the title track while Clutch’s Neil Fallon brings the groove to a scorching cover of Skynyrd’s The Needle & The Spoon.
And is there a better voice in Southern tock now than Blackberry Smoke‘s Charlie Starr? Check out the mournful Come December.
On Without The Pain, Morton’s made his Mark — again.
