Mercurius – The Anatomy of Depression (self-release)

 

This record is simply incredible!  Mercurius is probably the most refreshing progressive metal band to come onto the scene.  They are a very young group, and they hail from Tarnow, Poland.  From the first sounds, there is a level of suspense in their music, and it pretty much stays that way throughout the entire album.  It’s an incredibly mature sounding album, and all the players are their early 20s. 

The Anatomy of Depression is a very much a guitar driven album, and both players, Mateusz and Adrian Kuchyt, brothers in real life, create one of a kind atmosphere.  The album is filled with very tasty licks, and ideas that give each song a purpose and a solution.  Both players concentrate on what each song needs, and perfectly execute.  The soloing is very creative, and at time minimal to great effects.  Vocalist, Mateusz Mazanek, is more like another instrument.  His voice adds the color to already rich sounds.  Mazanek’s delivery is very emotional, and the lyrics portray a deeper sensitivity.  Add the very reliable rhythm section, Patryk Pogan (b.) and Jakub Piotrowski (dr.), and the picture is complete.

The music on this record is very spiritual.  The beauty of it all is that the group takes the listener along on a journey, and displays the feelings they are trying to show.  This aspect makes you want to listen to this album over and over again.  The songs have very clever melodies, some are very obvious, others come out at you as you experience the record.  Also, as mentioned before, lyrically, this is a psychology session in progress.  Mercurius deals with very grown-up issues, and often questions the idea of the existence.  Things can get very personal here if you let it.

Musically, Mercurius, clearly stands out on its own.  They are original, and incredibly skillful.  There are some traces of what Dream Theater is doing, or latter-day Fates Warning, in their music, but generally speaking, Mercurious lives and breathes in its own aura.  The Anatomy of Depression is by far one of the finest albums of the year, and one can only wonder how they will follow it.  Brilliant in every way possible!

Mark Kadzielawa