MERCURY FANG – Ignition

This Swedish band has been around since 1998, but Ignition is only their second release after Liquid Sunshine in 2003. Both albums were released through Rivel Records, the label which is known for its signature White Power Metal, and Christian Rivel is also the singer of Narnia and Audiovision. Somehow, Mercury Fang won’t fit the bill in this regard, as their sound is much more Hard Rock oriented and breathes a mixtures of seventies and eighties flair.

The band themselves characterizes their sound as a mixture of Metal, Progressive, and Rock, which for the most part is quite questionable, as Hard Rock is the only dominating style, Progressive parts or even real Metal is not audible. Overall, with the exception of a few slower tunes, the general direction is Rocky, straight tunes in the style of Deep Purple or Rainbow, a comparison which is forced upon the listener frequently. Especially the keyboard sound – of course, they do have keyboards – is very old fashioned and puts them into the same musical corner.

That is probably the problem, in a comparison to those Hard Rock icons, Mercury Fang pulls the short straw. Though it is very difficult to point the finger at what is missing to live up to the old heroes, it is a little bit of everything. While the keyboards sound similar, there is no Don Airey, Tony Carey, or Jon Lord touch of virtuosity there, and the guitar work is best described as that – work, but no spark of ingenuity. Drums and bass are inconspicuous. With most bands what makes the difference is the voice. Although it was to be expected that singer Fredrik Glimbrand would not be able to stand up to Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, David Coverdale, or Graham Bonnet, he is in fact paling in comparison. His voice is just mediocre, which would be tolerable, but he also sounds like he is just conducting “business as usual.” The whole album gives no indication at all that the musicians had fun in the studio. Compositions like “Way Out Of Line“ or “Stand Your Ground“ just don’t work.

The album contains 12 songs. While some tracks have quite memorable refrains such as “Fly Away,” “Heading Out For Love,” or “Revelation,” which is the best song on the album and also the only one that sounds like a Rivel Records release, most of the tracks just come and go without a lasting impression.

To sum the album up, this is barely mediocre a Rock release from a label expected to produce something better than this — most bands from Rivel records are much better songwriters, have a better feel for a catchy chorus, and are more skillful musicians/vocalists. This album is recommended only for people who already have all the other good stuff and still feel the need to spend more money.