Exploring Mortrem's Debut 'One With the Earth' at El Mocambo: A Reflection on Power and Corruption
- Michael Drukarsh
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By: Michael Drukarsh
Toronto, Ontario - Mortrem is a Toronto-based post-metal band formed by lifelong friends who share a passion for crafting heavy, melodic music.
Now streaming world wide, Mortrem’s debut album One With the Earth was celebrated on April 3rd with a very special release party at the El Mocambo. With themes that ominously fit perfectly in today’s world, Mortrem created an album that, according to the band, “... explores themes of power, corruption, grief, and destruction. When a tyrant’s reign is crowned by his own greed, inevitably, the Earth will outlive his Kingdom”.
However, before the packed house of friends, family and fans were treated to a track by track set by Mortrem, Toronto based bands Derev and Byrdy opened the festivities, igniting the packed house for headliners.
Derev
Derev took to the stage first and invited the audience to join them on a progressive rock journey that blended hypnotic melodies with trippy sounds all brought together by lead singer Mike Symons. The five piece, rounded out by keyboardist Ran Zehavi, who also plays a wicked keytar, bassist Stan Komarovsky and founding members drummer Michael Karakach and best friend Armando Bablanian delivered a fantastic set that was both visually and sonically stunning. A standout for me, the song "Darker Self" highlighted the band's ability to bring together the middle-eastern sound of their heritage with a prog-rock feel.
Byrdy
A much darker, sinister Byrdy took the stage next. Flanked by two guitarist one cloaked in a hood and donning a black devil’s mask the other in a baseball cap and shredding an orange guitar and backed by a somewhat corps painted drummer, lead singer Robyn, wearing the traditional black leather and chains, threw the horns up immediately striking a defiant pose that matched the strength of her vocals. The set was a mix of power and beauty as Byrdy showcased a range of songs delivered with a fierceness that had undertones of soft melodic soundscapes. The audience were drawn into the music as Byrdy soared through tunes such as "Seen Better Days" and "Misery" along with a kick ass cover of Kate Bush’s "Running Up That Hill".
Mortrem
With a very dramatic entrance, it was finally time for Mortrem to take the stage and perform their debut album live. Speaking with bassist Zak Stulla before the show, I found out that the album, One With the Earth, will be performed in order to deliver the message intended when the band wrote the songs. Accompanying the music, Mortrem created a full visual spectacle, designed and produced by them that enhances the experience of seeing them on stage.
With an ethereal voice, lead singer Samuel George opened the set with the first track "Kingdom Come". Very quickly changing to a guttural growl, he, along with the rest of the band, Zak Stukka on bass, Sammy Romeo on drums, and Charlie Romeo and Kyle Jensen on guitar, kicked it into high gear with a head banging alternative metal sound that whipped the audience into a frenzy. From there, the ride was at once fast and ferocious as Mortrem told the story laid out by the debut album.
An interesting moment occurred as the band went to perform "Better For You". As the rest of the band took leave, lead singer George stood on stage under the spotlight explaining that this is the first time this song has ever been performed live. The emotionally driven song brought out the cellphone lights and had the crowd swaying in unison. There were a lot more opportunities for crowd interactions during the epic "Big Blue" as fans belted out the chorus “swallow me whole” and when Zak and Charlie left the stage to join the fans in a twisted Irish jig during "Four-Leaf Paradise".
Rounding out the set, the title track "One With the Earth" showed the end of what a corrupt leader would face as he stands and watches his home burn to the ground with an almost uncaring look in his eye.
Though this was the final track of the album the fans were treated to a very special surprise. For the first time ever, the unreleased track "Huntress" was performed on stage to a huge ovation.
If this is truly the sign of things to come, Mortrem will be around for a long time.
Concert Photo Gallery (all photos by: Michael Drukarsh)
Mortrem Online
Show Date: April 3, 2026
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