Metal Reviews

You're welcome to comment on:


Click here to see the review.

Although I haven't picked up Mercenary's latest yet, it's only a matter of time since I loved their previous release, Everblack, which was very solid. I really encourage any reviewer who's interested in the band to review Everblack sometime. The songs, execution and their particular sound are all great on the album but what makes it stand out, in my mind, is a unique quality for a melodeath album - they have an evocative sound. The use of the second (clean) vocalist in combination with good chord progressions and the guitar melody line is what I think does it and through that, they are able to pull out a distinct traces of emotions, illicit emotion in the listener, which really enhances their music. And these moments aren't reserved just for their more lyrically sensitive songs like "Rescue Me" or "Screaming from the heavens" but are also present in "Darkspeed" and "A Darker Shade of Black." Although describing something as evocative is a statement based on personal interpretation, I would argue that Mercenary incorporates melodies into their music that are, at heart, emotional in nature (supported by their choice of lyrics) which demand a response from the listener. If anyone is looking for a band playing melodeath executed very well, but with its own unique nuances/style traits, check out Mercenary.

Very well deserved score.

I have had the disc for a little more than a week and I really like it... Also saw them here yesterday in copenhagen. Holy fuck did they slaughter the place! They only played 5 songs (there were a total of 5 bands on this tour), but it really ruled. Haven't been so impressed with a live performane for quite a while!

But if i was to review it myself the score would properly be more like 85 or somewhere in the 80's.

Death metal? This sounds like Symphorce/Brainstorm

Went to surf through some samples at Century Medias homepage and I got stucked with the 2 samples of this band called Mercenary.
After 2 samples I saw the band playing to me from a Mountain peak...

Yeah the score is good... After 2 samples I saw them playing to me from a peak of a mountain...

How anyone can call Mercenary Death Metal is mindboggling. They play a heavy, forceful brand of melodic metal with a small amount of harsh vocals. However, they are one of my favourite bands and their music is like a breath of fresh air in a very stale scene. What separates them from the legions of mindless clones out there is the emotion of their music. Sadly, living in South Africa will probably prevent me from ever experiencing them live.[/quote]

Yeah, I don't really think they should be categorized under death metal either. To me Nevermore sounds heavier than this and they are not death metal, are they? Some songs come close to death metal but that's mostly due to the screaming growling vocals and some riff resemblance to In Flames riffs. But whatever kind of metal it is, it's definitely very good and should appeal to fans of many metal genres.