MERCY “Swedish Metal + Same + bonus” CD T.P.L.
Yeah, at last the re-release of the MERCY material is coming... The “Swedish
Metal” mlp from ‘82 is primitive and simple but acceptable, although it doesn’t
really sound like the MERCY you used to like. Eddie Marcolin took on vocals
in January ‘84, and the same year the band released their self-titled lp.
Some improvements were to be heard as the band developed towards a quite
effective straight heavy metal (“Heavy Metal Warriors”, “Metal Mania”) with
some dark touches (“Tyrant”, “Zombie”). The only flaw was the boring instrumental
“Spanish Eyes”. About the five bonustracks from this cd... four are demo
tracks from ‘81, just here to show the beginnings... the last one is the
raw and doomy ‘87 “Black Dead” with last vocalist Anders Strömberg.
This last track and the self-titled album are the ones which will make the
connoisseur buy this cd.
Patrick Lefevre
MERCY “Witchburner + bonus” CD T.P.L.
The “Witchburner” ‘85 lp is the classic MERCY album. “Welcome To My Graveyard”
and “Voodoo Kills” are hellish power/speed metal storms. For the other tracks,
it’s doom, doom, DOOM... Just amazing songs as “Witchburner” or “I’m Your
Pervert Priest”. An essential album in the doom metal records collection.
Note that on this album Eddie “Messiah” Marcolin did of course the vocals
but also played the drums. Now, the six bonustracks... four are ‘83 demo
tracks, straight heavy metal, superior to “Swedish Metal” but inferior to
“Mercy”...one is a massive power metal ‘86 version of “Bangers Of Destruction”
with Messiah on vocals... last one is ‘88 great doomy “Mercy” with Anders
Strömberg. If you worship doom metal and are into the cd re-releases
of classic doom albums, buy this one !
Patrick Lefevre
MERCY "Black Deat" picture 12'' Stormbringer
This two songs picture 12'' (which looks great with several band pictures)
is a recording from 1986 with Messiah Marcolin on vocals (the two songs will
be re-recorded one year later with a new vocalist for the "Victory March"
lp). Side A is to enter the kingdom of doom with "Black Death", a memorable
tune, wonderful and bewitching, definitely an unforgettable anthem in the
doom metal story. Side B is to enter the kingdom of raging power metal with
"Bangers Of Destruction", a devastating anthem full of dynamite making you
headbanging 'till death. An essential picture 12'' to have, and as it's limited
to 333 copies, hurry up.
Patrick Lefevre
MERCY "Victory March" LP Stormbringer
Here is the '87 unreleased album. If you remember, Eddie Marcolin left and
went in Candlemass, so new vocalist was Anders Strengberg. With this album,
MERCY had a lot to offer : one merciless speed metal attack (opener "City
Nights"), two doomy power metal tracks ("Nymphomania", "Subconsciousness"),
the mighty heaviness of "Battle Hymn", one rocking metaller ("Proud Master"),
two heavy/speed storms ("Bangers Of Destruction", "Rage Out Of Control"),
and two brilliant pieces of doom ("Black Death", "Mercy"). The march was
(and still is) victorious! It is finally available, thanks to Niclas. For
those who wonder if this old recording from '87 is still effective, I can
assure you each time I play this album, it makes of my stereo a killer!
Patrick Lefevre
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