Since I saw the Danish Band Mercenary at ProgPower back in 2006, I fell in love with them and kicked myself in the ass for not knowing about them earlier.
I loved the contrast of vocals in the music and at times I felt the lyrics were written just for me. At that point it had been a long time since a bands lyrics moved me the way Mercenary's did.
Last night on twitter I read that the band had broken up. Devastated I navigated my way to their web page on my shitty LG Shine. I could only read the first statement on their page.
I was in disbelief. I know that a band breaking up is always harder for the band than it is for the fans... but it still feels like a huge piece of me is gone. Mercenary wrote so many things that I was feeling and found a way to express them both lyrically and musically.
Even now as I read their website the fresh would has not healed and I feel like I'm reading a Dear John Letter. I can't bear to read more, but I can't help but read what happened.
... During the last year we have been working on a new album and it has become clear that we no longer share the same vision and enthusiasm about the direction and the future of the band....
Does this mean that Mercenary is totally dead? I hope not. I loved their heavier stuff as well, but loved the melodic vocals that Mikkel brought and Mike was such an incredible drummer. I can't imagine not following their music careers no matter what band they are with.
I've met all of the guys in the band a handful of times. They are amazing people, but I don't want to bombard them with emails.
I have to say that although I don't agree with this decision, I can only help but to support it.
While I did love the individual song of Architect of Lies, the finished product seemed forced. I was never able to listen to the album as a whole. After reading their press release, it seems it may have been the beginning of the end.
I'm not saying I didn't like Architect of Lies, but I felt that it wasn't as powerful as The Hours That Remain or 11 Dreams, which is where my disappointment came in. Had it been their first album instead of their last I think I would've felt differently about it.
I fell in love with the heavier sound again on their release Retrospective (which isn't listed in any discography). It was a lot of old songs redone in pure metal style. Listening to it now, it should've been a hint or a foreshadow or something....
I'm sad and happy at the same time. Re-birth always comes from death and I hope the guys find more joy and happiness in what shall become of this. It still sucks and I'm deeply hurt... Although I know that I personally wasn't even a thought in their departure.
I have to find the silver lining in this looking at that it's better that we be disappointed that they walked away on (hopefully) good terms, than to be disappointed with each new album wishing they'd end it.
I know that I'm not the only person they touched musically... but honestly, this is the first band that I've felt regret for when it ended. And I can only say there would ever be a handful of bands that could evoke emotions from me if they ever quit.
I hope that Mercenary continues in a newer heavier form and I wish only the best for all of them in their future endeavors.
Don't take my soul away
My world is ending
-MetalRose
