SixStopMusic reviews… Mercians – ‘We Don’t Even Live by the Sea’ EP

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April 11, 2013 by sixstopmusic

This band are writing music that is meaningful, packed full of heavy punches with a singer you truly believe in…..

SixStopMusic – Mercians “We Don’t Even Live by the Sea”

Mercians only joined the UK unsigned scene in late 2012, and have released EP “We Don’t Even Live by the Sea” after a whirlwind start to life as a band. These alternative rockers can proudly sit alongside SixStopMusic veterans ‘Lightfire’ as another one to watch in Cannock, with Kerrang! Radio airplay to shout about after only 4 months!

The EP opens with a beautifully crafted intro and a vibe oozing Oceansize song ‘Music for a Nurse’ or ‘Catalyst’. This is only the ‘calm before Mercians storm’ as we move into a tense and edgy verse before an explosive introduction to song title lyric, “We are the Kraken” in a chorus that Lower than Atlantis would be proud of. Singer Matt has a voice full of attitude but tinged with raw emotion, and it lends to a wicked sound, enhanced by music made to move you. This is a truly exciting track and one that would not be out of place on any festival stage this year.

Track 2 is ‘Attention All’ and for the record my attention was all Mercians’ at this point. Very nice delayed guitar in each verse, simmering nicely before Mercians order you to “follow your dreams and embrace the unknown” in a chorus that will get you on your feet.

Next up is ‘Cry Mutiny’, with certainly the most alternative feel of this EP. Think Lower than Atlantis song ‘Deadliest Catch’, with a ‘Million Dead’ undertone. This is a song that shows a real maturity to the music Mercians are creating. Although there are aspects of the clear influences this band promote, the sound has an authenticity beyond what I expected before listening and to be at this stage so early, only suggests good times are ahead!

The EP finishes with ‘Colder’, a fine finish. This is not the strongest track on show but I think Mercians have nailed it when deciding the track order. Most labels will only listen to the EP opener at best and in ‘We Are the Kraken’, they have a song that should be enough to capture a label in 2013.

Mercians impressed SixStopMusic when we saw them live earlier this year. After listening to ‘We Don’t Even Live by the Sea’ our initial thoughts have been confirmed; this band are writing music that is meaningful, packed full of heavy punches with a singer you truly believe in!