It’s been a while since their debut dropped on Nikt Nic Nie Wie, but Mortar are back with a second full-length – this time louder, sharper, and pulled even deeper into the mire.
The new record lands on July 9, pressed exclusively on 12” vinyl and pushed through a five-label collaboration that stretches across Europe: DIY Koło Records from Poland taking the coordinating role, alongside Phobia Records (Czech Republic), Urinal Records (UK), Deathtrap Records (Netherlands), and Urgence Disk Records (Switzerland).
The album was recorded at Century Audio Studios, run by Jason Frye – also known as the drummer of Harrowed – whose hand in the production helped level up the sound: “This one objectively sounds better than the previous one, and it’s thanks to Jason Frye.” The sonic identity sticks with what they built the first time around: metallic punk rooted in the urgency of Discharge and shaped through the chainsaw-styled saturation of the Boss HM-2, echoing that classic Swedish crust tone.
Lyrically, not much has changed, and that’s intentional. The themes stay buried in real-world horrors – “still inspired mostly by the torments of today, especially brutal wars that are getting closer to us…” – and this time that message is reflected even more bluntly in the visuals.
The gatefold vinyl features stark artwork by Sebastian Napiórkowski (SavageArt), showing two black crows tearing apart a white dove. “The pacifist message is underlined by the artwork,” they note. Inside, there’s an extra foldout graphic, keeping the aesthetic consistent with the bleakness of the content.
Lineup-wise, it’s mostly the same as before: Greg on vocals, Jarek on guitar, Rafał on bass. But there’s a shift behind the kit – Robert, who also plays in the London outfit Non-Profit, joins as drummer. Mortar still get labeled a London band, though as they point out, only half the group actually lives there. Rafał, for one, commutes in from Portsmouth, not Southampton as previously reported.
The new record isn’t just a repetition of their past. “With this album, which will have more advanced sound compared to the previous one, we want to reach a broader audience,” they explain. That includes pushing beyond the tight-knit DIY punk community and tapping into the open-minded corners of the metal scene – a move that makes sense given Rafał’s background.
“Our own bassist comes from that kind of metal scene, where he sharpened his skills – and it definitely has some influence on the Mortar sound.”
If you’re planning to pick up a copy early, your best bet is Obscene Extreme in the Czech Republic, where Phobia Records will have them at their booth.
Otherwise, July 9 marks the official launch. No streaming, no CDs – just a slab of raw vinyl, harsh and dirty, the kind of Polish hardcore punk that runs through Polish veins. We believe it’s not available elsewhere.
