“Cross Off” is a really special song and it kind of felt that way from the beginning!” States Mark Morton, guitarist of Lamb Of God on the first single release from his debut solo album ANESTHETIC which features none other than the incredible talent and amazing vocals of the late and dearly missed Chester Bennington (R.I.P.) of Linkin Park.
“Working with Chester was really fantastic and amazing because he was very enthusiastic, motivated and excited about the song. HE LOVED THAT SONG! And that is really why he was there. I didn’t know Chester personally until we started talking about working on music together” Morton then adds…”and more particularly until we actually wrote and recorded THAT song. I mean to get that chance to work with Chester like that and to create music with him was really exciting!”
Mark continues further by adding that, “he was very prepared and excited about “Cross Off” in particular because he was excited for his fans to be able to scream again because it had been quite a while since he had recorded a vocal like that. It was just a real joy and positive experience, we had fun in the studio, we talked a lot about the lyrics, writing together, what they (the lyrics) meant and where they were coming from. It was a real thrill to be in the room with Chester when he recorded that amazing performance and be able to work with him at that level and be in the same room as him!
Metal V asks Morton how it feels to posthumously hear “Cross Off”? “When I hear it…” Mark elaborates, “I think of it as at that time...the time of making that song and the energy and the process of putting “Cross Off” together. It was just really positive and exciting!”
In the full interview, the genuine and quietly spoken Mark Morton opens up about the late Chester, as read above and more with Heavy Mag’s Metal V, divulging his feelings and thoughts on working with a many and varied musical who’s who of both metal and in between. The likes of the distinctive voice of Mark Lanegan, Testament’s Chuck Billy, plus Jacoby Shaddix, Josh Todd and Myles Kennedy. And many, many more. And to close out their chat, Metal V asks Mark about the appearance on ANESTHETIC of one Mr. Randy Blythe and the organic nature of his contribution.