Reviews: Merciana - Let It Begin
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SparkPlugg (http://www.sparkplugg.com)
Having long been helped along by the staff of Ferret Music, Merciana are finally getting a proper release in the form of this EP. The band's combination of punk rock roots with straight rock tendencies makes for a sound similar to bands like The Break or older Blood Red, although Merciana tends to be a little more mellow than both of those outfits. For a debut release, this is a solid offering and suggests this band could be really great in the future.
LAMBGOAT (http://www.lambgoat.com)
When this CD flopped out of the envelope a couple weeks back, I looked over the promo material briefly and began to dread listening to it. Merciana started as the more melodic side-project of former Nora guitarist Matt Haick who decided to focus on it full-time in 2002. I don't particularly care for Nora OR most hardcore bands' melodic side-projects, so I nearly cringed upon slipping this CD into the player for the first listen. Thankfully, most of my predictions were proven wrong by Let It Begin, which turned out to be a thoroughly listenable and cohesive EP comprised of one strong hook after another.
There are some noticeable similarities to other bands who have blended "hardcore" influences into heavily melodic rock, but the only ones worth mentioning in my mind is a rare slip into newer Underoath territory and Haick's occasional resemblance to Lifetime's Ari Katz. The songs range from mid-tempo poppy rockers like "Anvil Chorus" to the swaying power balladry of sorts on "Stagnant." Each of the six tracks displays another facet of Merciana's abilities, making this an EP worth checking out.
My two detractions from this disc, though rather big, shouldn't turn you away if you were interested to this point. The first is the cliche nature of the record's lyrics. I'd rather not quote them, but rest assured, you've definitely heard their angst-ridden ilk before. The second thing that keeps this from being an amazing record is the band's relative lack of distinct personality. It's not so much a problem of sounding like other bands as not sounding like an immediately identifiable entity. Bands like Alkaline Trio or Hot Water Music have gained such a following by offering up a certain unique charisma that fans can't get anywhere else. If Merciana could figure out how to do this, they'd be great.
Bottom Line: I was surprised to find myself actually enjoying this record quite a bit and it had a lot to do with the disc's quality hooks. Twenty-two minutes pass without a truly weak bit. The only problem is the simultaneous lack of truly inspired bits. I think Merciana could be on the road to making terrific records, but they need a dose of personality first.
rating 6/10
PastePunk (http://www.pastepunk.com)
New Jersey's MERCIANA impress mightily on Let It Begin, the band's debut six-song EP. Combining the pop threads of a group like GAMEFACE with the post-hardcore surges of QUICKSAND, and fellow garden staters' EX NUMBER FIVE, there's a lot of flavor to take in on here. Vocalist/guitarist Matt Haick (who previous spent time in NORA) has an immensely inviting lead vocal style that handily balances the needs of staying in tune while not overpowering the rest of the band. MERCIANA are far from being a heavy band, but their music has a fair amount of momentum, which helps give a solid weight to the guitars and busy drumming. The third song to this disc, "Spit - Through Thin Skin" reminds me a bit of BOY SETS FIRE's early, stripped down material, particularly in its glowing melodicism. Let It Begin is also blessed with a handful of charged guitar leads (the most rockin' coming from "Anvil Chorus") that fasten together the transitions between the tracks. It's a minor detail, but it gainfully makes this 22 minute EP feel a lot shorter than it actually is. The final track, "Stagnant," is my favorite of the batch - it opens with a mild electronic beat and then bursts into a thick mid-tempo crunching pattern, only to ease up with a haunting sing-along, then knotted by a flash of layered guitars and crashing cymbals. I usually try to avoid playing the "RIYL" game, but if you're into any of the band's mentioned above, MERCIANA is definitely worth checking out.
Under The Volcano (http://www.underthevolcano.net)
Featuring ex-members of Nora, Merciana was originally the melodic side project of Nora guitarist Matt Haick. After departing from his old band, Haick took on Merciana full-time and it's a damn good thing he did too, cause if this six-song EP is any indication, this quartet has a lot to offer the Punk/Hardcore scene. Think early Saves the Day or Foo Fighters, with a touch of Heads vs. Breakers and Quicksand for good measure and you?ll have a good jumping off point for Merciana. Interesting guitar riffs are filtered through each tune, and overwhelmingly passionate vocals are layered perfectly over heavy melodic Rock. Look out for these boys in the future.
Room Thirteen (http://www.roomthirteen.com)
Title track 'Let It Begin' is brimming with aggression that's restrained and pumped through the spasmic guitars and edgy vocals. Like a less hardcore version of Hell Is For Heroes the 'Let It Begin' and 'Half-Shut Eyes' race along, trying their best to epitomise dark, roaring post-hardcore but sadly falling a little short of the established mark.
'Spit- Through The Skin' is a mass of cut off, spat out vocals culminating in a melodic chorus with dual vocals adding that stellar touch. There's a nice tense pause for a moment of soft guitar ringing out before the typically emo vocals and guitar burst back in, writhing and protesting.
'Raise The Bottle' drowns you in more of the same, with throat-destroying vocals and pulsing percussion forcing the tune in your ears. 'Anvil Chorus' has a harsh enough name, but rotates around a throbbing beat and mellow, melodic chorus that renders the build up in the verses almost unnecessary.
'Stagnant' begins with a haunting keyboard tune and curious intermittent percussion, drawing the listener into what becomes another tune steeped in chiming guitars and changes of pace that pick up on the anxious atmosphere.
There's something too restrained about some of Merciana's tunes, like the kids who buy pre-scuffed jeans; the aggression is too mediated, undermining the sound they're trying to produce and ending up closer to emo than "heavy driven rock with a post-hardcore edge". The tunes are very eloquent and tight,
Jersey Beat (http://www.jerseybeat.com)
This New Jersey based melodic-rock quartet has all the pieces in place for a successful career. With its plethora of on-stage experience, the group already won over many fans around the Jersey area and beyond. This well-done EP can only help Merciana's future. Each track is unique, while still maintaining the same aggressive, energetic mood, with elements that may remind you of Foo Fighters or Alkaline Trio. The EP displays a lot of catchy hooks that a more mainstream audience may appreciate, despite an overall heavy sound. Matt Haik, ex-member of the band NORA, has a good recorded voice, but its tough to understand exactly what he is saying. It seems like something pretty deep, but then again, he may be wailing about a long line at the grocery store. Either way, I am buying into it.
