Mortuary

Mortuary is a death metal band formed in 1990 in the United States. The group's founding members, guitarist and vocalist John Doe and drummer Mike Smith, were inspired by the early death metal scene, drawing influence from bands like Death and Morbid Angel. They released their debut album, 'Ritual of the Damned', in 1992, which garnered them a dedicated underground following. Over the years, the band experienced several lineup changes, with keyboardist Sarah Jones joining in 1995 and bassist Tom Brown in 1998. Mortuary has toured extensively across North America and Europe, establishing a reputation for their intense live performances and elaborate stage shows. Their sound has evolved over the years, incorporating elements of technical death metal and grindcore, while maintaining their roots in traditional death metal.

Mortuary's musical influences include seminal death metal bands such as Death, Obituary, and Cannibal Corpse. They also draw inspiration from black metal acts like Mayhem and Immortal, as well as grindcore legends like Napalm Death. Additionally, the band cites classic rock and heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Judas Priest as influences on their songwriting and musical style.

Mortuary has released a total of eight studio albums and is known for their graphic album artwork and lyrics that often explore themes of death, horror, and the macabre. The band has a strong cult following and is known for their DIY ethic, often self-releasing their music and merchandise. They have played at numerous metal festivals, including Wacken Open Air and Maryland Deathfest.

Mortuary has played a significant role in the underground death metal scene since their inception. They have helped to inspire a new generation of death metal bands and have maintained a loyal fanbase through their relentless touring and commitment to their craft. Their contributions to the genre are recognized in various music publications and by fellow musicians, solidifying their status as a key player in the evolution of death metal.