Steve Rowe

**Associated Acts:** | Mortification, LightForce, Wonrowe Vision, Grave Forsaken, The Lead, Tourniquet, Vengeance Rising

**Stephen "Steve" Rowe** (born January 24, 1965) is an Australian musician that began his musical career in 1985. Rowe began his musical career in the power and thrash metal band Lightforce. Following his tenure in Lightforce, the band changed into the death metal band Mortification, which began in 1990. He also began Wonrowe Vision.

In his career, Rowe recorded five releases with Lightforce and 14 studio albums alongside several other releases with Mortification. Wonrowe Vision also recorded three studio albums. Rowe began his project, Wonrowe Vision, due to being diagnosed with leukemia at age 31. He also suffered a stroke in 2016. Despite Rowe announcing his retirement for 2015, he later renounced this, stating he would simply be taking time off before writing a new album for Mortification.

## History

Steve was first introduced to heavy metal bands like AC/DC and Deep Purple by his older brother Scott when he was just eight years old. By the time he reached the age of 15 his favourite bands were Iron Maiden, Motörhead and Judas Priest. Because Steve grew up in a Baptist home with strong Christian values he became disappointed that the music he enjoyed appeared to be so focused on themes that cut against his faith. In 1980 he began to feel as if he did not fit in with the people he knew at church and started spending his spare time partying with his heavy metal friends.

In 1983 Steve purchased his first bass guitar and began learning how to play. The main influences on his style as he was learning were Lemmy of Motörhead, Joey DeMaio of Manowar, and Steve Harris of Iron Maiden. In that same year a youth pastor from the church he used to attend invited him to come back to church and gave Steve a copy of a Resurrection Band album. The album changed Steve's views on what Christian music could be like and was a major factor in his decision to return to the church. Seeing how much rock music combined with a Christian message had helped him, Steve vowed to form a Christian metal band that would change the world. Initially, he formed a band with a few friends back at his church, but it soon became clear that finding people with the same vision and goals would not be an easy task. It was while he was attempting to start this band that Steve became unhappy with the Church he was attending, and as a result, he left and joined the Harvest Christian Centre, which had engaged in outreach to groups like metalheads and punks. It was here that Steve finally found a home for his Christian metal vision.

Rowe began his musical career in 1985, beginning in the power and thrash metal band Lightforce. Rowe began as the bassist, recording on both the *Blue Demo* and *Yellow Demo* in 1986. Lightforce disbanded for a brief time in 1986 before reforming in 1987. Rowe began working on their debut album, *Battlezone* in 1987. In 1989, he also performed bass on the second album, *Mystical Thieves*. At this time, the band recorded a demo titled *Break the Curse*, however, led to Rowe being the main vocalist after Steve Johnson departed from the band. The band also featured Cameron Hall on guitars and Jayson Sherlock on drums.

In 1990, the band decided to take their direction on a different path, changing the name to Mortification and changing to a death metal style. In this band, Rowe began taking over vocals and bass, while Sherlock remained on drums and Hall being replaced by Michael Carlisle. The band would sign on to Frontline Records. In 1991, the band recorded their debut self-titled album, which was released through Frontline. The band would then record their most seminal album, *Scrolls of the Megilloth*, which saw an even more extreme approach than their debut. The next year, the band began recording *Post Momentary Affliction*, however, Sherlock was not involved in the recording. At this point, only Rowe and Carlisle remained as the original members with the drumming throne being filled by Phil Curlis-Gibson (Day of Atonement, Desolate Eternity, Callous).

The three would again record a fourth album, titled *Blood World*, which featured a departure from the death metal and thrash metal style and going more in a hardcore punk style. Following the album's release, Rowe remained the only founding member. Rowe would replace the lineup of Carlisle and Curlis-Gibson, with session musicians, being ahead of their time, hiring on American musician George Ochoa (Deliverance, Recon, Vengeance Rising) on guitars, Canadian musicians of Jason Campbell (Erase, Undercurrents) on guitars and Bill Rice (Erase) on drums, and another fellow Australian musician Dave Kellogg on guitars. With the new lineup in tow, the band recorded their fifth album, *Primitive Rhythm Machine*, which took a more groove metal approach in the vein of bands such as Sepultura. The album was also their debut on Nuclear Blast Records. However, the lineup would again fall apart, with Rowe once more having to replace them by the time of their next effort. Keith Bannister, the band's longtime roadie, joined on the drumming position, while Lincoln Bowen joined on guitars. With the lineup returning to their original trio format, the band recorded their sixth studio album with *EnVision EvAngeline* coming out. The album was put out via Rowe's new record label simply known as Rowe Productions. After several smaller live releases and video releases, the band reconvened for their seventh studio album in 1998 with *Triumph of Mercy*. In 1999, their eighth album premiered, being titled *Hammer of God*.

By the end of 1999, Bannister departed the band, leaving Rowe and Bowen to search for another drummer. Eventually, the band found a new drummer in Adam Zaffarese who would be recording *The Silver Cord is Severed,* which would be the ninth album. Bowen departed in 2001 and was replaced by Michael Jelinic of Terraphobia. Jeff Lewis of Sympathy was also apart of the band for a brief time at this point. *Relentless* would also come out the next year, marking the tenth album. However, by the end of 2003, Zaffarese would depart from the band, being replaced by Mike Forsberg of Scourged Flesh and Grave Forsaken. However, Forsberg would never record with the band, being replaced by Damien Percy, also of Terraphobia and Skymaze. The three would record another album, titled *Erasing the Goblin*, which would again come out through Rowe Productions. While the album was initially titled, *Impaling the Goblin*, it was changed due to some controversy. Several years passed before they recorded their 2009 effort, *The Evil Addiction Destroying Machine*, which marked their thirteenth album. The drums were recorded by Zaffarese, Percy having departed in 2008.

Around 2010, Rowe began a new project called Wonrowe Vision, which would feature a drastic departure from the style Mortification had become so well known for, styling the band being more similar to Motorhead, Tank, The Crucified, G.B.H., Altar Boys, The Ramones, and Resurrection Band. The band, focusing more on the rock 'n' roll sound, featured Rowe, longtime bandmate Bowen and new drummer Andrew Esnouf, who both were ministers at this time. The band would release their debut album titled *Mission Invincible* in 2010, which came out through Rowe Productions and Silver Bullet Records. In 2013, their sophomore effort, *Pictures of the Past Present and Future*, which also was released through Rowe Productions and Silver Bullet, featuring reworked songs of Lightforce tracks. In 2015, Rowe was planning to retire, releasing both Wonrowe Vision's third album *2 Headed Monster* and Mortification's fourteenth album *Realm of the Skeletaur*. However, Rowe recanted his retirement, stating he would only take a few months off to rest and then work on a new Mortification album. However, in 2016, he would suffer from a stroke. In a video on the Mortification Facebook page, in 2019, Rowe stated he was no longer performing music with either Mortification or Wonrowe Vision at that time.

## Bands

**On Hiatus**

* Mortification (1990-2019)
* Wonrowe Vision (2010-2019)

**Former**

* Lightforce (1985-1986, 1987-1990)

## Discography

**Lightforce**

* *Blue Demo* (1986)
* *Yellow Demo* (1986)
* *Battlezone* (1987)
* *Mystical Thieves* (1989)
* *Break the Curse* (1990)

**Mortification**

* *Mortification* (1991)
* *Scrolls of the Megilloth* (1992)
* *Live Planetarium* (1993)
* *Nuclear Blast Promo EP II* (1993)
* *Post Momentary Affliction* (1993)
* *Blood World* (1994)
* *Break the Curse 1990* (1994)
* *Grind Planets* (1994)
* *The History of Mortification* (1994)
* *Primitive Rhythm Machine* (1995)
* *EnVision EnvAngeline* (1996)
* *Live Without Fear* (1996)
* *Noah Sat Down and Listened to the Mortification Live E.P. While Having a Coffee* (1996)
* *Envidion* (1996)
* *Triumph of Mercy* (1998)
* *Hammer of God* (1999)
* *10 Years Live Not Dead* (2000)
* *The Silver Cord is Severed* (2001)
* *Relentless* (2002)
* *Brain Cleaner* (2004)
* *Erasing the Goblin* (2006)
* *Live Humanitarian* (2007)
* *The Evil Addiction Destroying Machine* (2009)
* *Scribe of the Pentateuch* (2012)
* *Realm of the Skeletaur* (2015)
* *Ancient Prophecy / Overseer* (2017)

**Wonrowe Vision**

* *Mission Invisible* (2010)
* *Pictures of the Past Present and Future* (2013)
* *2 Headed Monster* (2015)

**Guest appearances**

* Vengeance Rising - *Released Upon the Earth* (1992; vocals)
* Tourniquet - *Microscopic View of a Telescopic Realm* (2000; vocals)
* Grave Forsaken - *Destined for Ascension* (2008; vocals)
* The Lead - *Again* (2018; bass)

**Production**

* Mortification - *Scrolls of the Megilloth* (1992; cover art)
* Metanoia - *In Darkness or in Light* (1995; executive producer)
* Metanoia - *The Raise the Dead Australian Metal Compilation II* (1995; executive producer)
* Screams of Chaos - *Australian Metal Compilation III* (1995; executive producer)
* Mortification - *EnVision EvAngeline* (1996; producer, engineering)
* Mortification - *Live Without Fear* (1996; executive producer, mixing)
* Mortification - *Noah Sat Down and Listened to the Mortification Live E.P. While Having a Coffee* (1996; producer)
* Mortification - *The Best of Five Years* (1996; producer)
* Ethereal Scourge - *Judgement & Restoration* (1997; producer)
* Lament - *Tears of a Leper* (1997; executive producer)
* Stauros - *Southern Extremities: Brasillian Metal Compilation* (2001; producer)
* Fearscape - *Sleeping in Light* (2004; executive producer)
* Mortification - *Erasing the Goblin* (2006; executive producer)
* Mortification - *Live Planetarium* (2006; producer)
* Mortification - *The Evil Addiction Destroying Machine* (2009; producer)
* Antidemon - *Apocalypsenow* (2012; executive producer)
* Mortification - *Realm of the Skelataur* (2015; mixing, producer)

## Bibliography

* *Metal Missionary: The Steve Rowe Story* (2014)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Steve Rowe". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
2. ↑ "Wonrowe Vision". Discogs. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Sauers, Isaac (2016). "Steve Rowe of Mortification Talks Metal with the Mofos". Metal Mofos. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Steve Rowe (Mortification) Health Update". Heaven's Metal Magazine. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 thrashboy (May 21, 2013). "Mortification's Mainman Steve Rowe Announces Retirement". The Metal Resource. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Matos, Marllon (December 24, 2013). "Interview with Steve Rowe - Re-releases and more". Retrieved on December 24, 2020.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 *Metal Missionary: The Steve Rowe Story*
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Lightforce". No Life Til Metal. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Lightforce". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Sherlock, Jayson (October 25, 2015). "Jayson Sherlock of Revulsed (Mortification)". As The Story Grows Podcast. Interview with Travis Turner and Stephen Sarro. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "MORTIFICATION". Nuclear Blast Records. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
> "MORTIFICATION's STEVE ROWE Comments On Upcoming Reissues". Blabbermouth.net. January 31, 2008. Retrieved on Decemer 28, 2020.
>
>
13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 "Mortification". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
14. ↑ "Mortification". Frontline Records. Retrieved on December 28, 2020.
15. ↑ "Mortification: A Brief History". No Life Til Metal. Retrieved on December 29, 2020.
16. ↑ Rockwell, Andrew. "Wonrowe Vision - Mission Invincible". Angelic Warlord. Retrieved on December 29, 2020.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Wonrowe Vision". No Life Til Metal. Retrieved on December 29, 2020.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Waters, Scott. "Wonrowe Vision - The Pictures of the Past Present and Future". HM Magazine. Retrieved on December 29, 2020.
19. ↑ "Wonrowe Vision". Discogs. Retrieved on December 29, 2020.
20. ↑ Rowe, Steve (August 18, 2019). "A message from Steve Rowe". Facebook. Retrieved on December 29, 2020.