Mark Morton , guitarist for the band Lamb of God , will release his second solo album, Without The Pain, an album that features a different sound from his previous one, and even more different from his work with Lamb Of God.
In an interview with Wikimetal , the guitarist detailed the album's production process, what it was like working with the guest musicians, his inspirations, and future plans. Check out the full interview:
Exploring new roots: a musical journey through southern rock and blues rock.
WM: Hi, Mark. How are you?
Mark Morton: I'm doing well, thank you for your time.
WM: So you have a new album coming out on April 11th called Without the Pain . Can you talk more about this project and what it means to you?
MM: Sure. Without the Pain is, as you said, my new solo album. It's not my first solo album. I released an album called Anesthetic in 2019, which was a bit more rock and metal-oriented. Without the Pain , although it's a solo album, is a bit different even from that. This is an album influenced by southern rock and heavy blues . It reflects a lot the kind of music I listen to as a fan, the kind of music that has been my foundation throughout my life. It's a very fun and exciting project, exploring songwriting and recording with this genre, which is something I'm a big fan of.
WM: So, as you said, this album is more blues, more country, and more southern rock. Was it challenging for you to switch from a heavier sound, like what you did in Lamb of God, to something more country?
MM: No, it wasn't really challenging because this type of music has been very close to me my whole life. I understand why it might seem new to people who only know me from Lamb of God, but for me, it's not. It's the kind of music I've always loved and that I listen to at home. When I play guitar at home, that's what I play. So, it all felt very natural to me.
Personal and artistic reflections in the new album.
WM: This album is more personal and introspective, as the title suggests, it's like a healing process. Was there any specific event that inspired you to adopt this more reflective approach?
MM: I don't know if I would say this album is more introspective than any other I've done. Some songs are, some aren't. Some are just stories, others are more personal. It's not exactly a deep personal study, but musically and in terms of genre, it really reflects my own tastes and the kind of music I connect with as a fan and as a listener.
WM: There's a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover on the album. Why did you choose that particular song, "The Needle and the Spoon " ? Is there a reason behind it?
MM: Yes. It's really one of my favorite Skynyrd songs. And I knew I wanted to work with Neil Fallon . Neil and I have been friends for a long time and we'd already talked about doing a cover. This was one of the options, and I think we both love this song. To me, it does everything a good southern rock should do: it has an amazing guitar riff and dark lyrics. It's a really cool song.
Mark Morton talks about collaborations and emotional narratives in his new album.
WM: There are many important names in country and Southern music collaborating with you on this album. How did you choose these artists?
MM: Many of them were already my friends. Charlie Starr , from Blackberry Smoke , has been a friend for a long time. Travis Denning , a country artist, is also a close friend. Others were people I always wanted to work with. Cody Jinks and I were connected by a mutual friend; after a few conversations, we realized it would be great to do something together, and we ended up making two songs on the album. Jaren Johnston is a similar case: I also met him through a mutual friend. We created a great creative connection, and today he's someone I consider a true friend. Some were already acquaintances, others were choices made to fit the project. Each song had its own process.
Collaboration with Charlie Starr and Jason Isbell
WM: The last single that was released is “Come December ” , featuring Charlie Starr and Jason Isbell. What was it like working with them specifically?
MM: Yes, specifically this song is really one of my favorites on the album. And, coincidentally, these two guys had such busy schedules that they had to do everything remotely and send it in. Charlie and I have known each other for a very, very long time, and I've wanted to work with him for a while. I'm glad it took until now to do it, because this is the perfect song for him. He was in Atlanta and I was in Nashville, which isn't that far, but it was far enough for him to go to a studio in Atlanta and send me the material. But yeah, it was great working with these two guys. I'm really a big fan of both of their careers. These guys are artists I listen to just for fun regularly. So I was thrilled to have them on the same song.
WM: You mentioned that this is one of your favorite songs on the album. When I first heard it, I simply fell in love with it too.
MM: Yes, yes. It's great. It feels like it takes you somewhere.
Partnership with Cody Jinks
WM: There's a single on the album called Brother with Cody Jinks as well. And that song is extremely personal, I'm sure a lot of people can relate to it too. So, do you remember what you were thinking and feeling when you wrote that song?
MM: Well, yes, I mean, this song is about an experience I see a lot of people having. I've just realized around me and in some of my own experiences that it's so common for family members who were once close to become distant, to drift apart and not speak to each other or not be part of each other's lives. And I see this all around me, and I've heard so many versions of this story. So it's a very sad thing that happens, but it seems very common and very universal. So that's what this song really addresses.
WM: “Hell & Back ” is the opening track of the album, featuring The Cadillac Three and Jaren Johnston. Why was this song chosen to open the album? Do you decide which song comes first?
MM: Yes, I decided. I just thought it was a cool groove. I thought it was a really fun way to start the album and I thought it set the tone for the journey we were about to embark on.
Between Lamb of God and his solo career, Mark Morton talks about his next steps.
WM: This album represents a new chapter in your solo career. As you said at the beginning, this album is different from your previous solo album. So, what are your plans for the future? Do you want to continue with this type of sound?
MM: I think so. I don't really have any definite plans right now because this album is coming out now. It took so long to put together. I think I've been working on this record for over two years, a little bit at a time, because I'm very busy with Lamb of God, so I have to work between my responsibilities and my projects with Lamb. So, I think that's how it'll be for a while. As for the solo material, I'll let this one be released and let people absorb and enjoy it. And I'm sure there will be something more in the future. But now I'm going to shift focus and think a little bit about the Lamb of God material.
WM: Is there a possibility of a solo tour with this new album?
MM: I hope so. We've done a few shows and we hope to do a few more. I have a great band put together that we can do shows with. We don't have anything to announce right now, but I'd definitely like to get out there more and play these songs live because I really enjoy it.
Mark Morton reflects on the creative process and fan reaction.
WM: What was the most rewarding part of making all the songs, of making the whole album itself?
MM: I don't think it's one particular experience. I think for me it's really about finally being able to write songs and record songs that sound more like the music I listen to as a fan. I've been a fan of this kind of music and a student of this kind of music for so long that I've had a lot of this sound hammering in my head for years. And to finally be able to get my hands on a project and see it through to the end, that's really the most rewarding thing, making a record that reflects my love for this kind of music.
WM: How do you think the fans will react to this album? And what about Lamb of God fans who follow your solo career as well?
MM: Yes, some will like it and some won't, and that's totally okay. Some people just like heavy metal and that's fine. I think there will be fans of this album who aren't Lamb of God fans. And there will be Lamb of God fans who like this album and some who don't. I'm at peace with all of that. I never really make music trying to predict or hoping that a certain group of people will like it. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate it and I'm not grateful when they do, but I just have to make the music that I feel inside. And then when people respond to that, whether people like it or not, it's all good.
Mark Morton – Without The Pain :
01. Hell & Back feat. Jaren Johnston (THE CADILLAC THREE)
02. Brother feat. Cody Jinks
03. Without The Pain feat. Matt James (Blacktop Mojo)
Kite String feat. Travis Denning
04. Come December feat. Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) & Jason Isbell
05. Dust feat. Cody Jinks & Grace Bowers
06. Forever In The Light feat. Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
07. Nocturnal Sun feat. Troy Sanders & Jared James Nichols
08. The Needle And The Spoon feat. Neil Fallon (Clutch) (LYNYRD SKYNYRD cover)
09. Home feat. Travis Dennin
READ ALSO : Lamb of God's Mark Morton releases single "Brother" and details new solo album
