DOCTOR MIDNIGHT & THE MERCY CULT — I Declare: Treason (review)

DOCTOR MIDNIGHT & THE MERCY CULT — I Declare: Treason album cover Album · 2011 · Industrial Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
2/5 ·
J-Man
Featuring members of Celtic Frost, Satyricon, Extol, Shotgun Messiah, Marilyn Manson, and many more is Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult - a new supergroup hailing from Norway. I Declare: Treason is their debut effort, and angst-ridden, punked-out, and thrashy heavy metal is the name of the game here. Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult's entrance into the scene is far from terrible, but it's a fairly mediocre experience when all is said and done. The uninspired songwriting just isn't that memorable, and the multiple production-related issues set things back even further. I Declare: Treason may be worth a passive listen for the curious reader, but it's hardly a recommended purchase.

Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult offers a pretty eclectic style of modern metal. Lots of nods in the direction of traditional metal, thrash metal, goth rock, and alternative metal are found throughout I Declare: Treason, as well as a strong punk influence (especially in the vocals). While the style that Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult offers is mildly interesting, the songwriting is very formulaic and unmemorable. The linear compositions are problematic enough as it is, but the fact that there are hardly any memorable choruses or anything of that nature makes this a rather puzzling experience. Hank von Helvete's raw vocal delivery also does little to impress me, and the way the whole album is produced (especially his vocals) is a fairly big issue. I appreciate the raw, punk-styled simplicity of the sound, but it comes across more as an inferior gimmick than a beneficial aspect of the music.

Though most folks probably have high anticipations for I Declare: Treason, I've been really underwhelmed by this mediocre effort. The middle school-level lyrics parred with formulaic songwriting and muddy production values really leaves a lukewarm taste in my mouth. Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult may have potential, but it's hardly shown on this weak debut. 2 stars are the most I can give here. This is only worth a shot if you're extremely curious what this new supergroup has to offer.
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Time Signature wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I quite enjoy this album, actually. But I had that same lukewarm feeling, to some extent, after I saw them live this summer (mainly because the vocalist wasted so much time on stage banter).

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