Lamb Of God’s Mark Morton will always play the blues

Mark Morton
Mark Morton (Image credit: Getty)

Lamb Of God’s Mark Morton says he’s a blues guitar player “100%” – that just happens to be in a metal band.

The lead guitarist says his blues influence helps set the band apart from their peers when he’s writing new material – and he tries to incorporate it as much as possible in their music.

He tells Ultimate Guitar: “I’m a blues guitar player 100% – I just happen to be in a metal band. And I happened to learn how to play metal when I was in my teens and 20s because I was fascinated by the music, and I still love the music.

“But ultimately when I play for recreation or by myself, what’s coming out of me is typically blues. That’s just the kind of player I am – but I don’t think it’s that easy a formula.

He continues: “You can hear it in songs like Ghost Walking, Erase This and even Redneck. A lot of songs that we’ve put together over time have that blues influence in it and I think a good part of that comes from me.

“But I also understand metal for what it is and I don’t ever want to be bashing the genre. It’s given me a place to call home and a canvas to write songs, play with really talented people and make music that people like listening to.

“I’ll always have a deep love for heavy metal.”

Lamb Of God will play Gwar’s annual Gwar-B-Q event in Richmond, Virginia, in August. They’ve also scheduled dates in Australia, New Zealand and Japan later this year.

Lamb Of God tour dates 2016

Aug 20: Richmond Gwar, VA
Oct 26: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
Oct 28: Boondall Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
Oct 29: Sydney Olumpic Park Qudos Bank Arena, Australia
Oct 31: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
Nov 01: Adelaide HQ Nightclub, Australia
Nov 03: Fremantle Metropolis Fremantle, Australia
Nov 06: Mihama Ward Chiba Prefecture, Japan

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