Patrick: Mercenary is a band that is continuously in development; every album that they make moves further and further away, although in little steps, from the standard melodic death and thrash and gains of complexity.
‘Architect Of Lies’ continues where ‘The Hours That Remain’ (2006) left us, although a small shift is manifest. They seem to aim at a less heavy sound and the progressive elements are a little more present, even though the difference is marginal. The atmospheric, progressive though ferocious thrash or melodic death is still fully there and the way aggression, melody and emotion are being combined is impressive. Much of the modern metal is supported by intriguing riffs with pumping rhythms and a thoroughly interwoven keyboard. Melodic, complex and dark. Aggressive, dynamic, colourful and with a strong melody, every now and than
blunt catchy and impudent appealing. You are, as it were, being hauled into the songs and only after fifty minutes they let go of you. Mercenary is the kind of band writing short songs, although you will not find songs of eight minutes here, as they were included on ‘The Hours That Remain’. With the recruiting of bass player and second vocalist Rene Pedersen a sharper contrast between aggressive and clean vocals has returned a little as well.
Mercenary succeeds in holding on to the fundaments of previous albums, but also in intensifying their sound. And with that the band really knows to intrigue. And for those really digging this: try to get hold of the limited edition as it contains the bonus track ‘Death Connection’ and an extra DVD (with nine live tracks and a studio report).
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