Review: Mark Morton – Without The Pain

Snakefarm Music Group (April 11^th 2025)

Reviewer – Chris O’Connor

For those unfamiliar with the name, Mark Morton is best known as the guitarist and founding member of Virginian metal titans Lamb Of God. Admittedly, as someone who’s never quite connected with that band’s brand of extreme metal—despite earnest attempts—I approached Morton’s solo work with cautious curiosity. So when word broke that his second solo outing, ‘Without The Pain’, would lean heavily into Southern Rock territory, my interest was genuinely piqued.

Now, having spent time immersed in this latest offering, I can’t help but wonder if ‘Without The Pain’ represents something closer to Morton’s true musical core. While his debut solo album ‘Anesthetic’ featured big-name collaborations (including the late Chester Bennington), it ultimately left me cold—much like his main band’s material. This time, however, the story is different. Here, Morton seems to have dug deep, tapping into a rich vein of introspection and soulful expression.

The studio core band reads like a session dream team: Adam MacDougall (keys), Tim Lefebvre (bass), and Gary Novak (drums), with Morton himself commanding the guitars. A stellar cast of collaborators—including Jason Isbell, Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), and eighteen-year-old guitar prodigy Grace Bowers—adds further depth. The album also features a revolving door of guest vocalists, each bringing their own flavour to the record’s eclectic, emotionally resonant palette.

The tracks themselves range from swampy, groove-laden rockers to melancholic, grunge-tinged ballads: The album opens with ‘Hell & Back’ (feat. Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three) kicks things off with a groovy Southern shuffle, evoking the spirit of ZZ Top. ‘Brother’ is up next (feat. Cody Jinks) and hits hard with a powerful Southern Rock punch, being both classic and commanding.

‘Without The Pain’ (feat. Matt James) leans into Soundgarden-esque grunge, drenched in atmosphere and heartache, it’s another powerful number. ‘Kite String’ (feat. Travis Denning) veers into rebel country, flirting with Americana in both tone and lyricism. ‘Come December’ (feat. Charlie Starr & Jason Isbell) is moody and rich, evoking the introspective maturity of The Beatles’ later years.

‘Dust’ stands out as a snarling Southern anthem, with Cody Jinks back on vocals and Grace Bowers delivering searing lead guitar lines. ‘Forever In The Light’ (feat. Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown) continues the album’s brooding retro-rock vibe, and it’s a very cool track indeed. ‘Nocturnal Sun’ (feat. Troy Sanders) is the heaviest cut—dark, intense, and drenched in grunge, but is stellar for it, the Mastodon influence is there to see.

‘The Needle & The Spoon’ (feat. Neil Fallon) is a bold and heartfelt reinterpretation of the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic, with clutch frontman Fallon’s impassioned vocal making it his own. Finally, ‘Home’ (feat. Travis Denning) closes the album with lyrical vulnerability and a lilting musical grace—quiet, contemplative, and deeply human.

In summary, ‘Without The Pain’ is more than just a side project—it’s a revealing portrait of a musician stepping beyond genre constraints to explore the music that clearly fuels his soul. It’s a record that rewards both casual listeners and fans of Southern Rock, Alt-Country/Rebel Country and 90s grunge alike. Mark Morton has proven himself to be not just a shredder, but a storyteller—capable of crafting an album that’s as emotive as it is musically compelling.

Tracklist:

1. Hell & Back
2. Brother
3. Without The Pain
4. Kite String
5. Come December
6. Dust
7. Forever In The Light
8. Nocturnal Sun
9. The Needle & The Spoon
10. Home

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