MERCENARY
This is a call to all fans of the now defunct Swedish act, WITHOUT GRIEF who, I might add, I grieved over having disbanded. However, newcomers MERCENARY, hailing from Denmark, have saved the day. Everblack is a palatable blend of Melodic Death Metal and hard driving Power Metal with a sound and conviction that keeps bringing me back to the short-lived days of WITHOUT GRIEF. More comparisons in a moment.Its not at all uncommon, as most all of you know, to incorporate alternating styles in today's Metal environment. Vocally, especially, is where most bands find the harmony of two extremes. MERCENARY are no exception to the rule and they transition between Death Metal and Power Metal vocals as good or better than any other band I've heard. At once I was struck by how much the vocal tug of war reminded me of Swedish Power/Death Metallers JULIE LAUGHS NOMORE, who up until now I thought did it with unrivaled majesty. Now you can put the talents of Mikkel and Kral of MERCENARY up at the same level on that list. Its magnificent.
There is much to be said about more than just singing and growling on Everblack. An exemplary production, courtesy of Jacob Hansen (known for his efforts in INVOCATOR and production work on various regional albums) and some strong songwriting are what steer MERCENARY to success on Everblack. It must be painstakingly stated that this has that Danish sound that over the years has truly made it a sound of its own. Punchy, thick and heavy, not all is cashed in at Swedish banks these days! MERCENARY have their sound chemistry in check (even it if does sound a lot like WITHOUT GRIEF's) and their playing equally stable. A strong emphasis is geared toward catchy melodies and choruses (the kind you can sing to, rather than growl to). The dual vocal approach works like clockwork on most tracks and perhaps its often owed to the fluidity of the rhythm section that always seems to be right where it supposed to be at all the critical moments when those all important transitional moments arise. Lead guitar player Signar has his trade down to a science and as a lover of cool licks, this is an album I get immense enjoyment out of thanks to his signature soloing.
I am not sure what this has more of, Death Metal or Power Metal. Surely its as melodic as anything both genres have engendered over the past few years and I think its a safe bet that the fusion of these two styles is now becoming so frequent that its time to accept that the line has been blurred. Consider MERCENARY masters at dissolving that distinction. This is a strong, powerful album full of moments of sheer greatness. While the album might not end as strongly as it starts, its got so much tasty material that you'd be crazy not to lend Everblack your ears for an hour. I really hope MERCENARY last longer than WITHOUT GRIEF and can maintain what they're doing because, well, its killer stuff.
