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 "Первое дыхание" Mercenary не похоже на последующие их работы. Мелодики здесь немного, чувствуется влияние трэша, вокал представляет из себя нечто среднее между гроулом и чистым. Тем не менее уже тут заметна подача материала с изрядной долей эмоциональности. Это ощущается уже при прослушивании 1-го трека с альбома - боевичка "Symbiotic". В дальнейшем эта черта в музыке Mercenary займет одну из главенствующих ролей. Однако в 1998 году эмоциональность пока что тесно соседствует с мощными качовыми риффами, и все еще непонятно, по какому пути пойдут в дальнейшем датчане.
Хочу сразу заметить, что это один из тех альбомов, которые вы поймете не сразу, в особенности, если начинали знакомиться с "Наемниками" с поздних работ. Диск может поначалу не понравиться, но в этом случае стоит его переслушать. Ведь материал довольно разнообразен, здесь вам и качовые боевики ("Symbiotic", "World Wide Weep"), и эпичные вещи ("Perceptive", "Demon8", "Supremacy" (последняя является бонус-треком, кроме того присутствует еще и на одноименном EP 1996 г.)), и даже балладка есть ("Sister Jane"). Сыграно это все на должном уровне и снабжено отличным качеством записи.
Стоит отметить, что в рамках творчества Mercenary этот альбом уникален. Ничего подобного в дальнейшем датчане не выпускали, "Everblack" сделан уже в другом ключе. Поэтому я позволю себе немножко завысить оценку. |
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Первый альбом. Эта группа из Дании является восходящей звездой мелодик-дэта, и вполне заслуженно. Каждый их альбом – маленький шедевр. У Mercenary есть свой почерк, по которому легко узнать их музыку. Но всё это ни в коем случае нельзя применить к их первенцу. Здесь у нас примитивнейший дэт с мизерной мелодикой, которая явно высосана из пальца. К тому же, чувствуется влияние хардкора. Видимо, композиторский талант у этих парней развился только в начале 21 века. На “First Breath” же вы не найдёте ничего похожего на такие классные альбомы, как “Everblack”, “11 Dreams” и, в особенности, “The Hours That Remain”. Конечно, хорошие начинания здесь есть. К ним я отношу неплохие вставки акустической гитары, иногда даже напоминающие Opeth, и применение женского вокала. В то время, как тупоголовые однообразные боевики (такие, как “Symbiotic”, “World Wide Weep”, “Master Game” и, например, “Next To Nothing”) составляют основу альбома, небольшое количество мелодичных композиций (типа “Horizon”, “Graveart” и “Sister Jane”) дают надежду на светлое будущее, ибо являются действительно хорошими песнями, но и суперхитами их тоже не назовёшь. Тем, кто любит чистый мужской вокал в Mercenary, тут тоже можно не беспокоиться, потому что Миккеля Сандагера здесь ещё нет, а на протяжении всего альбома здесь орёт басист Хенрик Андерсен. Именно орёт, а не поёт, так как его голос больше сравним с человеком, сидящим в туалете и кричащим «Занято!», простите за такое сравнение, но более подходящего эпитета я не могу подобрать. Приятно осознавать, что не только я это понял, но ещё и сама группа. И поэтому со следующего альбома можно будет слышать красивейшее многоголосье, потому как в команду придет новый вокалист Миккель Сандагер, поющий чистым голосом и скримом, а Хенрик Андерсен в корне поменяет свой стиль пения, сделав свой хрип очень мелодичным и цепляющим, и вдобавок запоёт мощнейшим гроулом! Но это всё со следующего альбома, а пока что у нас здесь очень мало положительных эмоций. В общем, поводов для радости почти нет, гораздо больше негатива. Больше четвёрки я не смогу поставить, уж извините… |
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admire the distant fear
alone we're on our own
give me the number 3:21
symbiotic it's the same old shame
oh no...
are you dealing with the same hand
tell me now will you recreate the same plans
the pain plan which we
never knew one bit about
behind our backs we stabbed
backstabbing the same old game
oh no...
are you dealing with the same hand
tell me now will you recreate the same land
watch me die
watch me dying with the same screams
hear me young
hear me young with the same dreams
the pain dreams
2. World Wide Weep
world wide weep
world wide weep
suffer in silence
in a world complete outside
inside four walls I reign
the spinning dome
outside my own domain
the weeping clone
you'll never wake me
or steal my throne
the lost opinions lost in time
world wide weep
double you double you
world wide weep
it's gone too far
create your life for something better than this
than this biotechnique
darkness to
your schizophrenic
you you and you
I'm not your saviour
nor am I
do me a favour
tell me lies
tell them twice
world wide weep
double you double you
world wide weep
you've gone too far
create you life for nothing lower
than this
and the world weeps on
for Christ's sake
creeping on the internet
the last one we ever knew
you'll never travel on in time
the wrong doing of man
and the world shall weep
dream on optimistic
human waste
you're made of plastic
some disgrace ha
you'll always see me in 3d
you could not be me
in your dreams
world wide weep
double you double you
world wide weep
we went too far
too late to live for anything stronger
than this life lost
3. Horizon
horizon
do you remember
the time of winter
when we were so young
horizon
standing on the edge of time
hanging on to friends of mine
now release me and stand in line
we are moving closer to
deceit and all is solitude
so be a part of the new start
'cause he wouldn't go this far as the
sun is still burning
the planet's still turning
now we're so old
horizon
will you recover
will we discover
see the blood red
the blood red skies
you the listener you'll be a witness
you're the witness you'll need an alibi
we are moving closer to
deceit and all is solitude
so be a part of the new start
'cause he wouldn't go this far as the sun
see the blood read skies
and the dried out seas
no one gives a damn
that's what worries me
witness the woods demise
and the greyish air
people died like flies
forever....
by far
sinking like a leaking ship
shivering body makes me drown
open up your mind to me
and I'll open up your mind to you
tell...
do tell...
horizon
do you remember
the time of winter
when we were so young
horizon
is it still burning
the planet's still turning
now release me and stand in line...
see the blood read skies
and the dried out seas
no one gives a damn
that's what worries me
witness the woods demise
and the greyish air
people died like flies
forever....
4. Master Game
Hope
Try not to hate me in the dominion
deny yourself this or meet thy fall
stretch your banner i'll break your kingdom
do assemble forces now let the game commence
disrespect yourself from all your lies
father by the name would you play the game
pin me down as I am now
bring me down 'cause you won't ever
break me and my sinful crown
take control and it's all over
pin me down as I am now
bring me down 'cause you won't ever
break me and my master tone
fake me and receive your throne
once a pawn is lost
let the game commence
8x8 on black or white
now choose your side
disrespect yourself from all your tries
power by the name would you break the flame
pin me down as I am now
bring me down 'cause you won't ever
break me and my sinful crown
take control and it's all over
pin me down as I am now
bring me down 'cause you won't ever
break me and my master game
beat me and receive your frame
too late
divide the tribe and conquer them half size
check mate is all you ever seem to be
lost fate sealed away lost the key
just prey steal my mind conquer me now
beyond the line of infinity
bring me down as I am now
bring me down 'cause you won't ever
break me and my sinful crown
take control and it's all over
pin me down as I am now
bring me down 'cause you won't ever
break me and my master game
fake me and receive a name
in my master game
once across the line you were so divine
now I've seen your gate
check mate
5. Perceptive
SEARCH
CYBERDEATH A COMMON WORD
SPEAK UP MY FRIEND OR YOU WONT BE HEARD
INTERNET OR ALTERNATIVE
A SPIDERS WEB THE HUMAN WAY
PERCEPTION PROCEED AT PERSISTING
BURY THE WORD BELIVE IN BEING
DESCEPTION DECIETFUL DECISION
JUST DECLINE
DECLINE NOW
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT LIES BEHIND THE CONSOUL
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT LIES BEHIND THE CONSOLE
NO ONE TELLS
BECAUSE NO ONE CARES AT ALL
AT ALL
WHEN I COLAPSE IN THE YEAR ZERO ZERO
YOU WILL COLLIDE WITH ME
2000 DARK DAYS
SEEMED LIKE YEARS
52 RAINY WEEKS
SEEMED LIKE TEARS
UNTILL THE FALLING YOU'LL SEE
YOU WILL BREAK DOWN
BREAK DOWN WITH ME
THE PAIN PERCEPTION
THE PAIN DISCIPLES
NO MATTER WHAT
NO MATTER WHERE
NO MATTER HOW
I'LL BE THERE
I'LL BE THERE
IN THE DARKEST NIGHTS
AND IN THE BRIGHTEST DAYS
UNTILL THE END
WILL YOU STILL PREVAIL MY FRIND
2000 WAYS
2000 DARK DAYS
WE ALL BELIVE
WE ALL PERCEPT SOME MORE ONLY IN REVERSE
WE ALL PERCEPT
AND THE NEVER ENDING HORROR ZONE
WE ALL DECIEVE
IT'S NOW 3:21 PM
WE ALL RESPECT
NEVER BETRAY AND YOU NEVER LEARN
WE ALL BELIVE
SO WE START UPON THE DEATH QUEST
WE ALL PERCEPT
OF SOMEONE NEW INTO THE CRAWING
WE ALL DECIEVE
LOST FOR WORDS LOST FOR MINDS
LOST FOR HATE
AND LOST FOR CRIME
DO NOT PERCEPT
6. Graveart
freedom
without freedom
your heart is free now
have the courage to follow it
the Lord bless the and keeping thee
in defiance of tyranny
of tyranny
grant the Prima Nocte
they married in secrecy
to avoid theft, rape and murder
begging forgiveness from those
purified by pain
do you confess now
fighting with passion for freedom
behold the awful price of treason
setting an ambush at the grave art
of his lost love
so help me God
please help me on
yeah when the crime's committed
when defiance collided
we reigned in shame
for so goddamn long
yeah and when the time admits it
and the dying divided
we take the blame
so please help me on
please help me on
you've come to fight
as free men
and free men you are
they may take our lives
but they'll never take our
freedom
and our justice
the price of treason
held as hostage
that's like grave art
history repeats itself
it has to be continued...
7. Next To Nothing
8. Demon8
IN THE YEAR 2069
MAN DISCOVERED A NEW PLANET
LOCATED BEHIND JUPITER
ASUMING THAT THE DARK PLANET
HAD INHABITANTS
WE LAUNCHED PROBES WITH FULL MOBILZATION
DIGITAL IMAGES OF THE DARK SURFACE WERE SENT BACK TO NASA
THE NEXT STEP WERE TO DEPLOY COSMONAUTS ON DEMON8
BUT WE ALWAYS SEEM TO LOOSE CONTACT WITH OUR MEN
AT 3:21 PM
AT FIRST WE HOPED THAT THE ALIEN LIFEFORM
WERE HARMLESS
WE WERE MISTAKEN
LAUNCH THE SATELITE
AT THE NEW REGIME
SPOTTED PARASITES
MUST BY QUARANTINED
IN SAFETY PRECAUTION
TAKE OVER ONE BY ONE
ACKNOWLEDGE MY DECISION
UPHOLD THE MISSION
IF I'M WRONG
I DON'T WANNA BE RIGHT
WE'RE STRONG
WE CANNOT LOOSE THE FIGHT
HOLD YOUR WEAPONS HIGH
WHEN YOU'RE WALKING THROUGH A STORM
HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH
THE WIND IS BLOWING SOMEWHERE ALONG
SO ADVANCED SO UNIQUE
READY AIM FIRE
PREPARE CLEAN SWEEP
NONE OF US SURVIVES
SUMMON US TO KILL
ESTIMATED LIVES
HIDING IN THE HILL
N.A.S.A.
THE ENEMY IS LOOSE
N.A.S.A.
TELL US WHAT TO DO
SOMEWHERE ALONG
DOWN GRADED WORK OF GOD
ABORT THE MISSION
I REPEAT ABORT THE MISSION
OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP FAILED
WE WERE AMBUSHED FROM JUPITER
ESTIMATED HUMAN CASUALTIES APPROX. 2000
SOME OF US SURVIVED
NONE OF US WERE KILLED
ON WITH OUR LIVES
LIVING WITH THE GUILT
THEY COULD TAKE US DOWN
LIKE A FLY ON THE WALL
COLLIDING ON THEIR GROUND
DEMON8 STANDING TALL
DEMON8 STANDING TALL
SO ADVANCED SO UNIQUE
TO COMPLEX TO COMPLETE
MOTHER EARTH'S DEFEAT
AND BY GOD
IF I'M RIGHT NOW
I DON'T WANNA BE WRONG SOMEHOW
WE'RE WEAK
WE CANNOT BARE DEFEAT
SO TAKE YOU WEAPONS DOWN
WHEN YOUR WALKING THROUGH A STORM
AND HOLD YOUR HEAD IN SHAME
THE WIND IS BLOWING NOWHERE TO RUN
9. Watching Me
it's now 3:21 PM on the planet demon8
operation cleansweep in progress
the black-eyed enemy must be destroyed
and the master game is completed
escape!!!
embrace yourself
now you ain't got a way
for me to see this
inscripted in clay
retaliate
45 tears drifted away
take a look back flashback and see
69 years now senile and grey
visions of the past nightmares
stop
and turn your head around
can't stop from feeling
there's someone watching me
someone is stalking me right now
escape with me
through the dark starred galaxy
done it's done
it's done and all you care about is one
and that's yourself
still you ain't got a way
for me to see this
inscripted in clay
embrace yourself
converted as we move along
as long as we don't move alone
predictions that cannot go wrong
caution to the wind
stop
and turn your head around
can't stop from feeling
there's someone watching me
someone is haunting me right now
escape with me
through the dark starred galaxy...galaxy
stop
and turn your head around
can't stop from falling
there's someone pushing me
someone is killing me
oh God it's the truth I swear
I'm dead you see
through the bright light we'll meet
we'll meet again
we'll meet again
the night turned to day
helping me show the way
the seasons would not change
and the reasons stay the same
10. Alternative Ways
THE HUNTING SEASON BEGINS
ONLY WHEN THE SPIDER SPINS A WEB
ITS UNPROTECTED FROM THE STALKING GRIP
OF PREDATORS LURKING DESCRETE IN THE TREES
THEIR NIGHTSIGHT LIGHTS UP THE SKYLINE IN GREED
THE HOWLING FAR AWAY CAN BE HEARD
A WOLF SHOT DOWN BY A HUNTER IN THE DIRT
EXPLODE THERE MUST BE ALTERNATIVE WAYS
AND IF SO THERE WILL BE ALTERNATIVE DAYS
NATURALISTIC WAY OF THE NATURE THROUGH TIME
THE HARSH DIM REALITY EXISTS DONT DENY
SURVIVAL OF THE STRONGEST NO LONGER IS TRUE
WHEN TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN IS ME AND YOU
DECORATING YOUR DOMICILE WITH PRECIOUS DEER
SHOOT DOWN BY YOURSELF AND HUNG UP HERE
THE BLACK SKIN TORN OF AND SOLD AS FUR
THE REST IS THROWN OUT TO THE STARVING EARTH
AND AS FOR YOUR PRIDE
IT'S ONLY FICTION
REALITY BITES
IN DESPERATION
STILL YOU DECIDE TO REAP WHAT YOU NEVER SOWED
STEAL WHAT YOU CAN WITH BOTH HANDS THEY'LL NEVER KNOW
UNTILL THAT DAY COMES WHEN YOU'VE STOLE IT ALL
IT'S CALLED EXTINCTION THAT'S THE WORD IGNORED BY
US AND ONLY US
EAGLES HAWKS AND FALCONS COULD THRIFE
WITH NO BLOOD RED SKIES IN THE HORIZON
EXPLODE THERE MUST BE ALTERNATIVE WAYS
AND IF SO THERE WILL BE ALTERNATIVE DAYS
11. Sister Jane
I had my hopes
I had my pride
you have your sight
I have no eyes
my mind is tangled
my throat is strangled
as a blind man to man
so sad you'll never see
as the silent man I am
pity yourself and let me be
if you could be my sister Jane
maybe once but never twice
read a book or feel the rain
feel the rain falling down on my skin
my only thoughts
confused and crazed
mirror please
I can't see my face
give me my cane
oh what a shame
you always laughed
on my expense
I never asked
for anything
I can almost feel it
I just can't believe it
as a blind man to man
so sad you'll never see
as the silent man I am
pity yourself and let me be
if you could be my sister Jane
to what extent I never change
walk around without my cane
hear me out in your dreams
in your dreams
from the first breath I took
and to the last kiss I shook
was it my mistake
no envy swines relate
breaking signs in a broken place
waking up to a certain fate
I'm living my life I guess
I'm living my life
as a blind man to man
so sad you'll never see
as the silent man I am
help me please set me free
if you could be my sister Jane
only once and not again
find the man claim the cane
silent man without a name