The Bottom Line
An epic progressive thrash CD.
Pros
- Songs that are complex and melodic.
- Excellent vocals.
Cons
- None.
Description
- Released in North America August 22, 2006 on Century Media Records.
- CD was produced by Jacob Hansen (Maroon, Hatesphere).
- This is Mercenary's fourth full-length release.
Guide Review - Mercenary - The Hours That Remain
Just over a year after their critically very well received CD 11 Dreams, the Danish band Mercenary are back with another excellent release. It carries forward the style they evolved into on the last album while breaking new ground. The songs are lengthy, with only one clocking in at under five minutes. They combine the complexity of progressive metal and the soaring melody of power metal with the speed and aggression of thrash.
The songwriting on this CD is outstanding. The choruses are really catchy and memorable. The arrangements allow for plenty of shredding, but also have the atmospheric keyboards and more complicated instrumentation.
Mikkel Sandager has a strong and powerful voice that fits the epic songs perfectly. He has a wide vocal range and knows when to be subtle and when to belt it out. There are also death metal style vocals that complement the melodic ones very well. Soilwork's Bjorn "Speed" Strid and Heaven Shall Burn's Marcus Bischoff also make guest vocal appearances.
