Mark Morton

THE GUITARIST WITH THRASH METALLERS LAMB OF GOD CHANGES DIRECTION WITH A NEW ACOUSTIC EP. WE JUST HAD TO KNOW MORE…

- Stuart Williams

“Last year, I put out the Anesthetic album and did a full live band tour, but after that, I got the opportunity to do some abbreviated acoustic sets – one at the South Temple Festival, in Columbus, Ohio, and one at Download last summer. That was really the first time I’d got to do something like that...” the Lamb Of God lead guitarist enthuses. Anesthetic is Morton’s debut solo release; hard rock and metal record – perhaps what you’d expect the metal maestro to do. The acoustic gigs? Well, that was more of a change of direction...

“It went really well, and I was kinda thrilled with the feedback I got from it. For me, it was time to stretch out, get out of my comfort zone a little bit, and do something different. Those first couple of acoustic shows were definitely an opportunity, and I really enjoyed it. So we started this campaign – an EP of acoustic songs, and some cool covers too.” The result? This year’s Ether EP, a five-track offering featuring guest vocals from Lzzy Hale, Killswitch Engage’s Howard Jones, John Carbone (Moon Tooth) and Mark Morales (Sons Of Texas). A contemporary line-up, then, but Mark traces his influences back to the 90s on Ether, as revealed in cover versions of Black Crowes and Pearl Jam songs.