Mark Morton, guitarist for Lamb of God, opens up about his new solo project, Without The Pain. The album, which draws from his Southern rock roots, reflects Morton’s personal musical tastes. “This record, more than anything I’ve done, reflects the kind of music that I’m a fan of in my personal time,” Morton says.
The release comes after Morton’s memoir, Desolation, which he launched last year. The book, detailing his battles with addiction, mental health, and his heavy metal career, makes the shift toward a more confessional, storytelling style in his music a natural progression. Morton reflects, “I released my first solo record [Anesthetic] in 2019, and that was really the first step of me working on songwriting with a purpose.”
The musician credits Anesthetic with giving him the confidence to create music outside the context of Lamb of God, allowing him to explore genres that better represent his personal musical preferences. “It gave me the confidence and independence to start working on songs that reflected more what I listen to as a fan,” he says.
In an interview with Guitar.com at the Gibson Garage in London, Morton spoke about his musical journey and his collaboration with other musicians for Without The Pain. Morton, who joined the Gibson family in 2022, used a variety of their instruments for this album, including a ’57 J-45, 2018 Custom Shop Les Paul R9, and a couple of ES-335s. For amps, he stuck with simplicity, using a ’70s Marshall with the Friedman mod and a mid-60s Fender Bassman. His effects setup was similarly minimalist, featuring a Tube Screamer, Earthquaker Acapulco Gold, a fuzz pedal, and a wah pedal.
Without The Pain comes at a time when country music is seeing a resurgence in mainstream popularity. However, Morton insists that country has never really lost its appeal. Through his solo work, Morton continues to collaborate with musicians who are shaping the genre, including Grace Bowers and Jason Isbell.
“When I work with new collaborators, one of the greatest takeaways is learning from their processes,” Morton explains. He recalls how the song “Brother” came together quickly with Travis Denning and Cody Jinks, with just a chord progression and a handful of lyrics. “Four hours later, we walked out with a really solid demo,” he says.
Morton’s experiences in the studio have taught him the value of being challenged by other musicians. For Without The Pain, he recorded basic tracks with drummer Gary Novak and bassist Tim Lefebvre, both of whom have extensive backgrounds with artists like Alanis Morissette, David Bowie, and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. “I don’t particularly view myself as that caliber of musician, but what I learned was how to level up my performance and professionalism,” Morton shares.
Morton’s musical influences extend beyond metal. He admires guitarists such as Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duane Allman, and Marcus King. He explains that Page’s songwriting ambition and creativity are what make him one of his greatest inspirations. “His vision was so immense, and the things he was willing to try and tackle are unmatched in rock music,” Morton says. He also praises Gibbons for his unique, playful swagger and Hendrix for his connection to the music itself.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s emotional playing often moves Morton to tears, while Duane Allman’s innovative slide guitar work has left a lasting impression. Morton believes that all great guitarists, including those from outside the metal world, influence his work. “I’ve always considered myself to be a blues-based player first,” Morton reflects. “Anything you learn on guitar will inevitably come out somewhere in everything else you do.”
Morton is also a fan of Marcus King, calling his album Carolina Confessions a standout. “Marcus King is just phenomenal. His playing reminds me of the greats like Warren Haynes and Stevie Ray Vaughan,” Morton says. “To see that in someone so young is exciting.”
Without The Pain marks a new chapter in Morton’s musical career, blending personal expression with a mix of influences. It’s clear that Morton’s journey as a musician continues to evolve, fueled by collaboration and a love for a wide range of musical genres.
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