Seeing as Mercies are currently promoting their newly released EP titled This is Not About Control, but I was unable to make it to the DC release party — while we wait for the online release, I thought it would be appropriate to check out their previous offering released just last year. The self-titled EP with the wacky art on the cover has been keeping me company for the better part of the previous two weeks. It’s just damn good.
Mercies are a three-man rock outfit from D.C. who play shows all over the D.C.-Metro area. Their style is grungy and melodic, blending simple guitar and bass riffs with intricate dimming and a whole lot of vocal harmony. This is the kind of music you put on when you need a pick-me-up.
The Mercies EP features three tracks – “Needlenose”, “GTFO”, and “Jeremiah You’re A Killer”. The arrangement of the tracks was well thought out, as they blend together pretty nicely. The general theme of the album is ambiance and grit. The recording is very raw and the vocals equally so. The guitar tone sounds very similar to that of the Minibosses, and I can’t help but smile every time I hear the first few measures of “GTFO” because of that. “Jeremiah, You’re A Killer” contains raspy screaming reminiscent of Kurt Cobain, combined with vocal distortion straight out of a Manson album. Couple that with Mercies’ interesting melodies and classic drumming, and you’ve got something very special in your ears.
So these guys not only are an entertaining crowd pleaser when you see them live, but they also know how to put together some tracks that truly show their personality. While we wait for their new album to be released to the Internet, we can at least enjoy a single streaming track called “I Get Hysterical“.
Check out Mercies‘ Tumblr page for some photos and videos.
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