Frontiers [release date 10.12.21]
In straddling the border between Progmetal and Symphonic Rock, Swedish band, Mercury X have staked out a fertile chunk of territory.
This is their debut album (excluding two independent releases). It remains to be seen if they have the talent and the motivation to develop their music further.
It’s often the case that Prog albums have too much content and not enough subject. Mercury X defy this notion by delivering a bunch of songs inspired (if that’s the right word) by the Covid pandemic. Or rather the fact that so many artistic endeavours were shut down as a consequence.
The album’s bookends, ‘Until The Break Of Day’ and ‘The Sound Of Nothing’, examine the effect on a personal level. Neither have particularly strong tunes. They overcome that through traditional Progmetal arrangements… stuttering rhythms, tightly wound riffs, rippling keys, and what seems like an omnipresent choral backdrop, behind the spacy vocals. You can hear Marillion, Floyd and the Flower Kings in there.
None of these influences is in any way overpowering, rather they are welcome visitors to Mercury X’s developing style.
Many Prog albums have a centrepoint, a fulcrum around which the music spins.
The 20 minute epic, ‘Imprisoned’ captures the band and the album perfectly… lyrically and musically. No prizes for guessing the narrative theme.
The track is woven through with classical choirs, moody orchestral moments and thudding guitars, often cast in the shadows of the song’s downbeat lyrics. You could argue the message is undiluted by originality, and yes, there’s a lot of wannabe here, but a lot of honesty too.
Clearly, this is a band with a future. Tracks like ‘Imprisoned’ signpost the way ahead. Next time perhaps. ***
review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
