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Reviews

Mercenary: The hours that remain

07/08/06  ||  Global Domination

This review was written by ex-staffer/cocksmoker Desert Eagle.

I find myself having a lot of trouble describing this album. There are few words I could say that would actually do it any justice. However, I will still give it my best shot.

Mercenary is one of a few bands, that I feel, truly get “it”. “It” being that ineffable creature that makes a band great. The primary weapon that Mercenary uses to tame this beast is melody. Now I know I have mentioned again and again that I have a weakness for melody, but this is a circumstance where I believe that everyone will be able to hear just how important melody is. The melodies on this album (is anyone sick of the word melody yet?) are unforgettable and that is why I love them so dearly. Their ability to get stuck in my head after only one listen is quite a feat.

Now of course there is more to this album than just melody. In fact, the vocals alone merit their own full review. Alas, I am much too lazy for such a thing. Fans of clean vocals take note, the singing on this album is the best I have heard in a long time. Now, to all I just scared away with that statement, let me inform you that the vocals are not the same vapid, superfluous vocals that you hear on most every power metal album. For one, this is not a power metal album. For two, there is some restraint shown here. While there are plenty of falsettos and three part vocal harmonies, they are not in excess. Also you should know that there are plenty of screams and growls and what have you.

Usually I like to indulge myself and write a fair bit about the guitar-work on every album I review, so why should I disappoint my fans? Top-notch, I feel, would be an apt word to describe said guitar-work. There are what is known as “riffs-a-plenty” on this album. From “ripping” solos to “crushing” breakdowns and such, this album has it all. Now I know I may have scared yet more people off with that mention of breakdowns but believe me, there is nothing “core” about this album.

I am at a loss for words at the moment so let us sit and enjoy some of this album… Oh, you aren’t listening to it? Hmm… perhaps you should run out and purchase it right now? Yes that’s right, I said purchase. This album is going to be one of three albums that I will buy this year. Give or take one. Now that is saying something. Then again, saying anything is really saying something, if you catch my drift. Try to keep up. I am already going to go out on a limb and call this the album of the year. Perhaps I should be a bit more specific about what I mean? What I meant to say was that this is the BEST album of the year. Okay, now we’re being less vague. By “we” I mean “me”. I. Very good.

Oh and for you genre idiots, this is melodic metal with thrashy death influence and a dash of power metal. Don’t like that? Well, I don’t like genres, you retard.

Get this fucking album right now.

10/10. ( Note by The Lord: And after this review we sent poor Eagle to a very nice place complete with tons of medication and funny, white jackets. He’ll be back, hopefully a bit more sane… )

  • Information
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Century Media
  • Website: www.mercenary.dk
  • Band
  • Mikkel Sandager: vocals
  • Jakob Mølbjerg: guitars
  • Martin Buus Pedersen: guitars
  • René Pedersen: bass, vocals
  • Morten Sandager: keyboards
  • Mike Park Nielsen: drums
  • Tracklist
  • 01. Redefine Me
  • 02. Year Of The Plague
  • 03. My World Is Ending
  • 04. This Eternal Instant
  • 05. Lost Reality
  • 06. Soul Decision
  • 07. Simplicity Demand
  • 08. Obscure Indiscretion
  • 09. My Secret Window
  • 10. The Hours That Remain

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