Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Mercenary - The Hours That Remain (2006)
Melodic death metal or Melo-death if you want to be snappy is perhaps one of my least favourite sub-genres. Whether it is (early) Soilwork, (early) In Flames, Children of Bodom or Scar Symmetry I just find it bizarre that there is a watered-down version of death metal. If you grew up in the 90’s like me on a solid diet of Morbid Angel, Obituary etc then death metal is supposed to be swarming and brutal to the point of being overwhelming. Melodic death metal by comparison has just always been overbearing. Except for Heartwork by Carcass I can safely say I have never heard a melodic death metal album that has pleased me.
Enter Mercenary into the fray. Sat top of The Metal Academy death metal album chart (currently) by some horrid miscarriage of ratings with the Danes fourth album offering, The Hours That Remain. Straight away as I heard this, I thought of fellow Danish groove metal melodicists, Raunchy (who have been around for pretty much the whole time Mercenary have been). I do not mind me some Raunchy every now and again, but I cannot say that I will be harbouring the same affections for Mercenary in the future.
The Hours That Remain is immaculately produced. Jacob Hansen uses every bit of his experience on this one and (for the melodic death metal fan at least) produces a great sounding album. The progressive/power elements of the album really shine as a result. Although not my usual bag, the over-the-top vocals work well in the mix and keep the tempo going well over the riffing. The drums are mixed terribly though and carry no authority whatsoever. Add to this the invasive use of keyboards and the expected dilution of the more promising aspect of the sound (the guitars) is soon lost.
It is not all that catchy or memorable either, despite all the effort in those power metal vocals during the choruses. As a result, there are no standout tracks, leaving me with a very formatted sounding experience that sounds like a continued regurgitation of the same idea over and over and over and over again.