Mortal Biography
Mortal was a Christian industrial/dance band founded in 1988 by Jyro Xhan and Jerome Fontamillas while attending Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA. Initially known as Mortal Wish, the group produced a six-song demo with additional members Ray Tongpo and Wilson Peralta before shortening their name to Mortal.
In January 1992, Mortal released their debut album, Lusis, on Intense Records, the metal division of Frontline Records. Produced by Terry Scott Taylor, Lusis was celebrated as a groundbreaking release, blending innovative electronic samples and industrial sounds rarely heard in Christian music at the time. CCM Magazine called it "the strongest debut project to enter the alternative Christian market in years," and the album set the stage for Mortal’s unique approach to faith-based music.
Their second album, Fathom (1993), leaned into a heavier, guitar-driven sound while retaining their industrial edge. It quickly became one of Mortal’s most acclaimed releases. The song "Rift" from this album was later reimagined into a powerful music video addressing the horrors of child abuse, which debuted in 1994.
Mortal continued to experiment with their sound on subsequent albums. Wake (1994) featured grunge influences, while Pura (1995) explored a dance-based meditational style. During this time, legal challenges with their label prompted Xhan and Fontamillas to form Fold Zandura, a new project focused on alternative rock. Fold Zandura released one album and three EPs, further showcasing the duo’s creative versatility.
Despite these challenges, Mortal released a self-titled album on 5 Minute Walk Records in 1996, which included tracks originally intended for Fold Zandura. Two years later, they released Godspeed (1998), a best-of compilation featuring 13 album tracks and two rare, non-album songs.
In 2000, Jerome Fontamillas joined Switchfoot as a touring member and became a permanent part of the band, contributing to their breakout album, The Beautiful Letdown (2003). Jyro Xhan and Jerome Fontamillas reunited as Mortal in 2002, releasing the album Nu-En-Jin with Tooth & Nail Records. This album featured a modernized industrial sound, blending their classic style with contemporary electronic influences.
Throughout their career, Mortal has been recognized for their lyrical intelligence, incorporating deep theological themes into what has been described as "Industrial Praise and Worship." Their pioneering use of electronic samples, layered sounds, and innovative production left a lasting impact on Christian music, influencing many future bands in the industrial and industrial-metal genres.