If you’ve ever moshed your way through a Lamb of God gig, you’ll know their music hits hard. Turns out, guitarist and lyricist Mark Morton’s life story is just as intense. Morton has just dropped his new memoir, Desolation, and it’s a no-holds-barred dive into his world.
Desolation: A Heavy Metal Memoir (Hachette Books) is where Morton bears all, detailing the euphoric highs and devastating lows of his journey with the Lamb of God. We’re talking worldwide tours, mainstream success, and the constant shadow of addiction and personal loss.
In the book, Morton recounts the heartbreaking death of his newborn daughter, a tragedy that spiralled him further into addiction. With bandmates living their rock star dreams around him, Morton’s reality was a mix of pain and self-destruction. Daily doses of drugs and alcohol became his escape, blurring the lines between success and sorrow.
Morton’s memoir is peppered with tales of camaraderie, hilarious misadventures, and the surprising moments of clarity that pulled him back from the edge. He shares the incredible connection he feels with his fans, who remind him of the profound impact his music has.
“Initially, I started writing this book just to see if I could do it,” says Morton. “But as the writing process unfolded, it quickly took on much more meaning. Unpacking my story, I was able to observe events in my life with an objectivity that I hadn’t experienced while I’d lived them in real-time. Through a lens of hindsight and recovery, I made friends with my past and found value in my most difficult days.”
Desolation is a journey through Morton’s battles with self-doubt, anxiety, and addiction. It’s also a tale of finding serenity and gratitude amidst chaos. It’s a memoir that promises to resonate deeply, even if you’re not a die-hard metal fan.
Ben Schafer, Executive Editor at Hachette Books, sums it up perfectly: “Mark Morton’s DESOLATION is one of the most remarkable rock memoirs I’ve ever read. Through its humility, candour, and strikingly unpretentious style, it delivers a life story that is simultaneously relatable and remarkable.”
So, whether you’re a Lamb of God fanatic or just someone who appreciates a raw, honest life story, Desolation is a must-read. Grab your copy from Amazon, Waterstones, Blackwell’s, or wherever you get your books. Digital copies are available now, with hardbacks hitting shelves on 11th July.
