Mortifer was formed in July 1988 in Kostroma (Russia) by Sergey Novikov (guitar & vocals) and his pal Anatoly Chebotarj (drums). Two years earlier, they used to appear at parties in a local Medical College performing pop songs and even covers of AC/DC and Alice Cooper. It was rather venturesome to play such “dangerous” stuff in those times... The risk was related to anti-Western policy of the former USSR.
After Sergey’s return from military service, the guys decided to form a band to play exceptionally heavy kind of music. Within a month the band's line-up was completed. Sergey’s College classmate Alexander Kamenschikov joined on bass. On the first demo tape there was Valeriy Mukhin as a lead guitar player, but he has abandoned the band in half a year, having preferred to play in restaurants and take care of his family. At that time the band name was Knyaz Serebryanny (The Silver Knight). They were playing mostly covers of Savatage, Dio, Loudness, Ozzy, Saxon, etc., but also had started writing their own material in a hard'n'heavy vein. The lyrics were all in Russian then.
It wasn’t until 1991 when they have switched over to English lyrics and started to play a radical (for those times) style - aggressive thrash metal. The new material was recorded as a demo in 1992, but later on it was re-recorded and released as their debut album "Euthanasia" in 1993 by BIZ Enterprises (Death City Records). Release of such kind of music was considered a breakthrough event at that period. But having succumbed to the demand of music market, BIZ Enterprises (at that time BIZ became the Polygram branch in Russia) soon has re-orientated to pop field and has abrogated all contracts with hard rock bands.
During its existence, Mortifer appeared on stage with various bands from Russia and Belarus, such as Hellraiser, Black Obelisk, Korrozia Metalla, Trizna, Abadonna, Exhumator, Tornado etc., at numerous fests and gigs.
By that time, Mortifer had written and recorded new material for the next album, which appeared in MC format under the title "Blind Faith".
From 1995 to 1999 the band members were concentrated on their family lives and hardly ever played together. However, a new material was prepared and the album "If Tomorrow Comes" secured them a deal with MetalAgen Records. The CDs reached shops in early February 2000. On March, 5th 2000Mortifer played as a supporting act for Kreator in Moscow.
Almost simultaneously Sergey Novikov had released his solo project “X- Factor", which combined songs with Russian lyrics that had been written even in 1988-1989. The album also contained three covers: "Fly Away" (Mad Max), "Breaking The Law" (Judas Priest) and "Belladonna" (U.F.O.). Sergey Novikov played all instruments alone, including drum programming. The year 2000 saw the first change in the band line-up since 1988. The bassist’s younger brother, Konstantin Kamenschikov, replaced the original drummer. A second guitar player, Alexander Kukin, joined the band as well. Both new members used to play in a death-metal band “Extinction”.
In May 2001 Mortifer played at Metalagen Fest with Gods Tower, Nordream, T.H.R.O.N., Izakaron.
In early 2002 the band gathered in studio for recording a new album "Blind Faith".
One month later Mortifer appeared as a special guests at Sodom live show in Moscow.
In parallel, they began working under new material for a new album “Total Darkness”.
On September, 29th 2003Mortifer, together with Mind Eclipse, opened the show for Austrian legend Pungent Stench in "Partizan" club (Yaroslavl).
On October, 26th 2003 the band appeared at Thrash Metal Festival in Moscow with Manic Depression, Stalwart, Diversia and Factura.
During February to mid April 2004 the band recorded a new album “Total Darkness” in Sergey Novikov’s own studio (“SPN studio”). In December 2004, the album, consisting of 10 new tracks together with 4 cover bonuses of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, AC/DC and The Beatles, was released by a well-known Russian label CD-Maximum.
Shortly after completion of “Total Darkness”, the band started working on its next, 5th album.
In February 2006Mortifer recorded its fifth album called “Cybernized”. It was released later the same year by Moscow young label Mazzar/Mystic Empire.
In January 2007Metalism Records signed a deal with the band to re-release Mortifer’s debut album “Euthanasia” on CD.
Greeting From Malaysia !!!..Thanks For Accepting My Request...Euthanasia & Total Darkness Kill !!!...Hope Mortifer Will Always Success.....Keep Thrashing !!!
Euthanasia, 1993
If Tomorrow Comes, 2000
Blind Faith, 2002
Total Darkness, 2004
Cybernized, 2006
Euthanasia (re-issue), 2007
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