Mercury Falling: Into The Void

If ever you needed proof that getting noticed in the crowded pool of Powering Progressive Metal is extremely tough, then the fact that the excellent Into The Void by Germany's Mercury Falling is the band's third unheralded album should be it. If you still need more evidence of the difficulties of grasping the merest moment in the metal public eye, then factor in that this little beauty has been kicking about for almost a year now without the merest hint of a fanfare, and you shouldn't need any more convincing.

More intent on hitting hard through Tobias Galmarini's thick swathes of guitar and the killer grit-vocals of Michael Pabst than prancing up and down fret boards or keyboards - although Tobias's brother Daniel does a sterling job on the old ivories - this is Progressive Power Metal with a huge emphasis placed on the Power. Again however don't be fooled into thinking that this is all foot on the monitor, double kick thundering (although all of that does feature), with Mercury Falling instead more intent on using mid-paced songs to get their striking, well aimed message across. Pabst really is a cracking weapon, with his ability to switch between rough throated wail, clean voiced baritone and a charismatic standard singing style, offering up interesting tones on the likes of "In Dark Waters" or "Into The Void". Musically this is intentionally dark stuff and while the keyboards pile on layers of atmosphere and sometimes with a keenly melodic bent, it is the combination of strafing riffs, drum barrages from Maical Panitz and bass throngs from Paul Viertal that drives most of these tracks to their powerful conclusions.

"Revolution" hints at Kamelot, "Wash Away My Sins" adds intensity similar to Inmoria, while "Us" adds a little more keyboards and a soaring guitar solo over a piano backing to bring a more Symphony X tone to proceedings. When you add the more insistent Vanden Plas like - although less technical - "Queen Of Pain" or the almost Rammstein growl and thump of "Stranger In Us All" and while never exactly original, Into The Void certainly jumps about frequently enough to remove any thoughts of pigeon holing. Something that has obviously occurred to Oliver Palotai (Kamelot/Doro), Jens Luwdig (Edguy) and Piet Sielck (Iron Saviour/Savage Circus), who between them guest on, co-produce and master this release.

Into The Void is one of the stronger Power/Progressive Metal albums I've heard so far in 2013. The fact it is an early 2012 release definitely should not dissuade you from adding this to your must hear list. Time to seek out albums one (Panta Rhei) and two (Human Nature) methinks.

Track Listing
1. Days Of Redemption
2. Into The Void
3. Stranger In Us All
4. Book Of Hate
5. In Dark Waters
6. Us
7. Queen Of Pain
8. Wash Away My Sins
9. When Worlds Collide
10. Revolution
11. Long Way Out Of Hell

Added: April 17th 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Mercury Falling Online
Hits: 2845
Language: english

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