MORTIFICATION leader Steve Rowe checks in with the following update:

And a happy month of July for us all! Big announcements this month with some exciting news. The Live Humanitarian DVD is now finally finished in edit. It sounds and looks massive! The official release date for the DVD is September 26th through Nuclear Blast Records, Germany. Yes, you read it correctly, the biggest and best Mort live release will be solely released by the world's biggest and best heavy metal label. The DVD will be in Region 0 and thus playable worldwide.

I was speaking with Nuclear Blast owner Markus (Steiger) about the DVD last November when we were on tour in Europe and had dinner with him and production manager Michael. Michael and Markus have been a huge support for me since they had to let us go in late 2001. It has been a dream to work with Nuclear Blast once again. The release of "Live Humanitarian" is a foot back in the door with the world's best metal label. My main connection with Markus and Michael since 2002 has been one of friendship. There has always remained a strong bond between Mortification and Nuclear Blast. Markus and Michael have helped tremendously over the past six years with tour merchandise and support, even as an unsigned artist. They are truly just the best!

We are confirmed to play main-stage at this year's Black Stump Festival. We will hit stage at 8pm on Saturday, October 4th. This main-stage appearance will be the official Australian launch for the Live Humanitarian DVD. The DVD will be a double digipak release! Deluxe supremo!

In more huge Mort news, Dave Kilgallon has officially joined the band on drums. Firstly and most importantly, Mick and myself would like to thank Damien Percy for his amazing three year commitment to the band. Damien being involved with us for "Erasing The Goblin" and Live Humanitarian, plus the related tours, was another great chapter in the Mortification history. Damien, your dedication and input to Mort has been truly tremendous. You have blessed many people with your skill and ideas. It is great to have a growing family of Mortification members and friends.

I recognized Dave Kilgallon's drumming prowess two years ago when hearing his band Scourged Flesh. Dave, along with Vaughan Gregory (Grave Forsaken), were a big part of the Live Humanitarian DVD concert even happening. Damien was playing Dave's kit on the night in Perth, Western Australia, when the DVD was filmed. Since the recording of Live Humanitarian, I have been involved in personally supporting both Scourged Flesh and Grave Forsaken releases. Dave will remain living in Perth and continue his drumming commitments with Scourged Flesh and Grave Forsaken. Dave Kilgallon is an awesome young talent.

Dave was over here in Melbourne recently for an extensive time of rehearsing both the new set list and songs for next year's new studio album. Dave will return in September as we prepare for the Black Stump show and once again work on new material. The new songs are sounding massive!

...and so begins a new chapter in Mort history. I am planning a "warm up" show in Melbourne for October 1st. Watch this space for details. Dave will be back here once again in February as we prepare to spend the entire month of March next year recording the 14th Mortification opus.

Last, but absolutely not least, a huge "Thank You" to all who responded to last month's Update with financial support for my ongoing medical expenses and the Mortification mission. With cuts in government funding, under our newly elected Labor Party, for vital health products and equipment, my medical debt continues to rise. Plus, doctors have asked that I use more expensive, highly sterile medical products which, of course, are much more costly. I am continuing with my essential alternative health products due to the help from you, our most generous supporters.

Band expenses are high and sales much lower due to people stealing our music from the internet. In the 90's Mortification sold one quarter of a million units. Sales in this decade, from 4 studio albums and many CD and DVD re-issues, are around 10% of that. Like all metal bands big and small, by the end of this decade we will hopefully be at about 20% of last decade's sales. Considering that the "Live Planetarium" DVD re-issue has sold under 2000 copies worldwide and that over 140,000 people have watched the YouTube clip (below) of 'Scrolls Of The Megilloth' - you do the math. The 'Scrolls...' clip was a classic addition to the '93 Live Planetarium video package.

I love YouTube and how it has exposed all of our clips to a new generation of metal fans, creating some strong discussion about Christianity and metal music. YouTube is not stealing. But with the viewers of our clips all giving 4.5 to 5 star ratings, imagine the stealing of our music that is going on. Return to math 1! Of course, I was never involved with putting our clips on YouTube - it was done by fans without my permission. I am not angry about this. However, I will personally place 1 or 2 clips on YouTube from the new "Live Humanitarian" release. Fans will be stopped very quickly if this DVD ends up on YouTube! I will also YouTube myself later in the year in an ad directing people to where they can purchase the high quality DVDs.

Mortification is NOT surviving financially and I wear the brunt of this. I will always continue in this mission because it is my calling to do so, but if the stealing does not stop - this mission may have to. I know how much Mort means to thousands of people. The emails that you, our great supporters, send me are the fuel that keeps us going. If you wish to continue in keeping Mortification and myself alive you can do so by sending a donation via PayPal to info@roweproductions.com.

I have received many emails in the past month, some of financial support and many of prayer support and encouragement. All of these have been awesome! If you wish for me to respond personally to you email, please keep it down to a maximum of 1 or 2 short sentences. I love hearing your life stories but cannot attend to huge emails. My need to keep fit and active in sport and to attend countless medical appointments makes time very precious. You know I love you all but I just ask that you keep the emails short and simple. You are the reason Mort continues and for your support, in every way, I am very grateful.