Architect of Lies [Archive] - Mercenary Forums

Jorrit

13 February 2008, 21:31

Well, lets first start off with that i already have Architect of Lies from a, lets say "hidden" source.
I am going to buy it as soon as i gets released in the benelux (that is the 21th of March if im correct).
But i would still like to share my opinion about the album, because i have a very divided feeling about it.

You see, you got numbers like Embrace the Nothing that make me think of the killer that THTR is, but you also got songs like Execution Style that make me think of the older albums you brilliant guys made, together with a fine girl (Firesoul ;)).
In my opinion, this album is killer because it is a very, very progressive album, and whats more important, you included both the old AND the new albums' styles, and for that, i salute you, because my favorite albums are First Breath and THTR.

Oh, and since i'm new here, hello :D

Favorite songs on Architect of Lies at the moment(although i like the complete album):

New Desire
Bloodsong
Embrace the Nothing
Black and Hollow
Execution Style
I Am Lies

nailz

20 February 2008, 20:37

Jorrit

21 February 2008, 18:27

I, personally, find it incredibly insulting to download an unreleased CD and then post about it on a bands forum.

That said, when AoL comes out, it'll be a blind buy for me, and I can't wait to listen to it.

Do you find the downloading in question insulting, or the posting about it?
Its just like in the old days, i didn't live then but some of my older friends we're already into metal from the '80s, and even then there was an occasional leak of your favorite band and you absolutely *had* to get that tape from one of your friends, even if you would have to drive 3 hours for it.
I'm not against downloading, i actually think its handy because you can pre-listen if a a album is good, and if its not you just delete the album and won't buy it, and if the album *is* good you will buy it, or like me, will get the extra-edition with DVD and extra song.
Remember, i'm only 16 years old, and i do not have the money to buy every single album i want, hence i only buy quality, and as i said in my above post, AoL IS Quality, so i will buy it.

I think its more of an insult to the band if you would behave all secretly about that you downloaded the album, if you downloaded it, then behave like a man and just talk about/admit it, because i'm pretty certain a lot of people that visit those forums have downloaded it, and i base this purely on the amount of uploading/downloading people.
Don't get me wrong, if you download an album, think: "Hey, this sounds pretty amazing, this band must've put some major work into this" and then DON'T buy it, but keep the album, yes, then you should not get any respect.
Greets,
Jorrit

nailz

21 February 2008, 19:48

No, I'm all about downloading songs and albums. I do it when I need to check out a band to determine if I'll buy the CD. There are a few bands that I consider 'blind buys'... Mercenary and Elvenking are 2 of these. However, what I find in bad taste is getting a leaked copy early and then, basically, saying so on a bands website. It just seems incredibly insulting to me.

Do whatever you want though, I'm hardly a moral compass. I buy albums (even if its at higher cost) from band members as much as I can, but I just don't find it in good taste to download before release. I figure, if I buy it from a band in Europe and have to wait 3 weeks for shipping to the states, they've already got my money, I'll download the album while I wait.

I delete what I don't like as well, everythign I buy I rip to 320kbps. ... none of that 128k garbage for me. :)

Anyway, sorry for being so harsh. Welcome aboard.

BumZen

24 February 2008, 20:04

I am pretty much with you here Nailz. But come on, he said he would buy it when it gets released, no need to get harsh.
Besides, the real criminal is the guy who got a promo and then put it up for illegal distribution via internet.
I am a person who has never downloaded one single song illegally, so I have my conscience clean. But I do have the privelege of getting quite a lot of promos, so I shouldn't judge.

Oh, and Jorrit. You can't just decide whether an album is good enough to buy or not. If you want the music, you will buy it. Don't just keep all the mediocre albums on your computer just because they only sounded decent to you. That is wrong, and no... I don't care if you don't have any money. You want the music ? You pay for it.

Anyways, downloading is bad, but when it leads to buying it's good. And I think that it in this case is good.

Mads

Himstragims

25 February 2008, 14:16

I have heard it 3 or 4 times now. I have not downloaded it...a friend has. But seriously. This album is a "must have", so I will buy it when it is released. I am against downloading...most of the time. If a band like Mercenary releases a new record, I would like to listen to it as fast as possible. I don't like when people download just to avoid spending money. But I think that we all know people who do that.

My God....Mercenary has made an album which I consider might be their best EVER! A brilliant mix of melody and roughness. I loved Everblack and 11 Dreams. I was very disapointed about THTR and did not buy it. Very few songs caught my attention on that record. But I must say that the band has taken revenge - big time! I can't wait for it to be released. And to Martin...the solos on THTR was not exactly to my liking. They were not bad or anything. But these solos...damn, dude!

Actually the whole band together has to have a big applause for these songs. Everything works as one great unit. Fogging great music. The upcoming reviews will absolutely be in a league og their own. And god damn the music is tight. Just listen to the performances. Brilliant.

You know the feeling when a band releases a record, and you just doubt that they can make a record that great again? I had that feeling with Everblack and then came 11 Dreams and I was speechless. Then I had that feeling again, and to me the next record was not up there, where I hoped it would be and I kind of didn't expect a new masterpiece just yet. But shame on me. A masterpiece everyone should buy.

OceanSoul

25 February 2008, 18:50

Jorrit

03 March 2008, 22:07

I've heard it a few times (yes, I did download it, am not afraid to admit it, and I don't give a shit).

I really don't know what to think. First thing I noticed was the lack of brilliant solos, which is kinda a Mercenary trademark for me. But yeah, I'll give it some more spins to see if it'll grow on me.

The solos are there, they are only more background-ish, with 1 main rythym guitar playing, and one doing a solo in the background at times, this is more in style of the older albums (atleast i think so), in contrary to the newer albums where they used to solos seperated from the main rythym.
I think this is good, because it keeps the diversity of Mercenary, but hey, everyone his own opinion :)

I listened to the album a lot more times, and i must say, now i don't have any favorite songs anymore, i now just have a favorite album :D, especially my opinion about The Endless Fall has made a 180degree turn.

EskiDEATH

05 March 2008, 21:10

First thing I noticed was the lack of brilliant solos, which is kinda a Mercenary trademark for me. But yeah, I'll give it some more spins to see if it'll grow on me.

I think you need to get your ears cleaned, dame. Martins melodic shredding is definatly there! Although he's kind of recycling some of it from the the past, he still knows his shit. :)

nailz

09 March 2008, 05:41

So just wondering if anyone's checked the front page....

melvin19

09 March 2008, 06:42

Oh yeah, No wonder I haven't left my PC all day

EskiDEATH

09 March 2008, 12:54

The whole album on MySpace??
Must be a countermove to all the torrent leaching, no?

OceanSoul

24 March 2008, 21:48

Ok, it started growing on me, I think. I guess experiencing the whole thing live yesterday did help a tiny bit.

But too many goddamn solos, I can't stand it. :p :D

-----

Kudos to you, Morten:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/Marinaen/P1030692.jpg

:D

Morten

24 March 2008, 22:21

Hahahaha wow - nice picture.
Thanks for posting that!!

:-)

EskiDEATH

25 March 2008, 10:16

Ok, it started growing on me, I think. I guess experiencing the whole thing live yesterday did help a tiny bit.

But too many goddamn solos, I can't stand it. :p :D

A short time ago you complained about the lack of solos....can you make up your mind? :)

Fucking sweet concert, kids. Just too bad that Mikkel couldn't take the high notes. But doing 4 shows in 4 days would certainly kill my voice too. ;)

OceanSoul

25 March 2008, 17:40

A short time ago you complained about the lack of solos....can you make up your mind? :)

It is called teasing, Eski. :)

EskiDEATH

25 March 2008, 17:53

I got the message very well. Hence the :) behind my post.

OceanSoul

25 March 2008, 17:59

Right. Easy for you to say so after reading my post. :) (<-- This smiley has always seemed so patronizing to me. Hate it.)

Anyways...My fav. songs atm and so far are probably Embrace.., Black'n Endless, Isolation and Endless Fall. Seems like you guys did it again. Whoa.

Dorthe

26 March 2008, 13:22

When I heard the entire album at the releaseparty in Copenhagen I just knew I had to have it so I bought it there - and as well as at the concert I was totally blown away just by the first listening. To me it has many (if not all http://www.smilie.ws/smileys/frech/0015.gif) of the elements from my up-until-now-favourite-album "The hours that remain" - it´s simply wonderful!!

I haven´t really decided yet which one of the songs are my favourites - maybe all of them are http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/laughing018.gif. Only time will tell. But it´s really an amazing album which I´m gonna listen much to on my iPod going back and forth in the bus http://www.mysmilie.de/midi-smileys/froehlich/2/0037.gif

metal2000

27 March 2008, 16:07

very powerful album good job and thank you very much to give us some thing like this.

nailz

28 March 2008, 06:48

Hahahaha wow - nice picture.
Thanks for posting that!!

:-)

the hell...? Did you cut your hair? How un-metal of you! haha

EskiDEATH

28 March 2008, 15:13

On the other hand, Martin and Mike keep growing theirs. :p

Swanky

31 March 2008, 12:10

Having listened to Architect of Lies a few times, I think the new album is the weakest since Everblack. Although you cannot complain about the technical arrangements (only based upon personal views if ever), I think a lot of the songs sound a bit too much of the same, getting into high-low - looong sound which gets boring after a while and made me almost quit listening.
There are still some killer riffs and interesting song structures, New Desire gave me an almost relaxed feeling while Bloodsong stood out because of its speed and aggressive power. It is probably my favourite song of the AoL cd. Embrace the Nothing goes a little bit into the direction of Firesoul in my opinion, but cannot catch its distinct style in either melodic parts or power. Still one of the more memorizable songs, though.
One thing I don't understand is why Isolation was elected for single. Okay it's not another rock version of Jingle Bells, but it didn't kick me off my chair.
Both Black and Hollow and Execution Style are both fine songs, I really like the driving sound of the first, while the latter has some nice ideas mixed in.
By the way, why does the keyboard pattern of Public Failure Number One sound a bit like a sleeping melody to me? I guess it is *just* me.
When seeing the album as a whole, I think a few more edges would have been nice and better for memorization of the songs, melodies (both guitar and keyboards) are okay and the mixed singing works out well for the most part. On a more personal note I'd like to hear the more powerful screaming from 11 Dreams more from you in the future, Mikkel. :)

Overall this album couldn't live up to my admittingly high expectations, but it's still good.

Oh by the way I hope I'll be able to see you in either Essen or Berlin in April.

EskiDEATH

31 March 2008, 16:03

So...as with the previous Mercenary albums, give 'em some grade and add a long (or short, up to you) comment to it.

The normal grade is the song on the album and the one in brackets is what I thought of them live (releaseparty :cool: )

New Desire: Great album opener. I like the way it switches between harsh verse and soft chorus. The verse riff with René and Mikkel reminds me me extremly much of the 'We will track you down and nail you/unto the cross with thorns' from World Hate Center. And it has it bangability. I could have wished for a little more bass, but other than that I can't complain. 8/10 (9/10)

Bloodsong: The first 30 secs more or less sets the scene for a continuation of New Desire. But then...BAM! The possessed man with the bass kicks in. And even the chorus melody is 'just' on top of the beginning riff it makes it sound totally different. Keys here are also done with top marks, they give the right atmospheric touch the right places. 8/10 (8/10)

Embrace The Nothing: At first I thought this was just a bad rip-off of the title track on 11 Dreams. Which was a huge let down. But now it really has grown on me. Great melodies which isn't to hard to learn quick, so I believe this wil be a good sing-a-long song. Martin your solo/leadpart is beautiful. It adds so much mood to the song. 8/10 (9/10)

This Black And Endless Never: When I heard this on the album, I didn't know what to think of it. It wasn't really me. But at the release party....damn! The opening sounds sooo much better live! It was like an enormous wall of Mike Tyson that punched me to the ground for every snare drum beat. And again, keyboards here do a magnificent job of creating the dark, gloomy atmosphere. And the short drum break-thing at 0:49 is a great addition. 'Open your mind/and please forgive me when I die' - how ironic is that? Such egoistic lyrics done with such a beautiful melody line. I can't help but to think of 'Sleep tight my dear/I've come to kill...' of Sharpen The Edges. Now this song is me! 9/10 (10/10)

Isolation (The Loneliness In December) If you thought Mercenary was just melodeath riffs, scream and shout and music for the mosh, think again! Isolation... radiates such a calmness, which contradicts with the previous songs' fury and wild attitude. The chorus here is breathtaking, and I really feel close to crying when I sing along to it. Martin's solo is typical him: Slow shredding with melody bits in, then his fast, accurate picking. The only thing I don't get though...why is the ending part so heavy? Not that it bothers me, but it doesn't seem necessary, when all other parts of the song are so calm.
Not to take credit away from the other boys' work....but damn Mikkel this is YOUR song. Your vocal range is incredible! 9/10 (10/10)

The Endless Fall: From the least heavy, to probably the most heavy song. I think this was made for one purpose only. If World Hate Center won't make people go completely nuts at concerts, this one will for sure! Mikkel has Isolation to show his voice and René has The Endless Fall. Fuck...I said it in my review of AoL and I'm not afraid to repeat: That man's voice is like a freight train, smashing you to bits. Riffs are superb, extreme and have all that's needed to see (some) hundred fans making the sickest most in front of the stage. And after the solo part they will stand shoulder by shoulder, with arms lifted, yelling 'HEY, HEY, HEY!' and then go nuts again. I foresee this as a live demand. 10/10 (10/10)

Black And Hollow: Quite simple opening riff and keyboard, nonetheless they do their job. Creating a fantastic base for the melody to sort of open up and come alive. I love the punch the guitars have and the melodic keyboard in the 'I can feel this tragedy/Pure and simple tragedy' part is awesome. 8/10 (9/10)

Execution Style: The extreme is back! Another song that will leave people with bruises and bleeding noses, because of the moshing this gem will create. Mike, you have one hell of a busy time behind the kit. The addition of 'Iceman' and his confessions makes Execution Style even more evil and it's the essence of the whole album. 9/10 (10/10)

I am Lies: So many things to say about this. First, the opening riff is again simple but effective. At 0:25 it all turns in to this warm universe...like a giant hug where you feel safe and comfortable. But then Mikkel and René start their screaming, and somehow I don't like that. It doesn't fit in - I could imagine something more melodic. The highlight of this song is the chorus...oh what a chorus with the warm universe and a majestic melody. And if that wasen't enough, Jakob's killing machine of a riff (I guess you came up with this Jakob, it's your style) begins at the 3-minute mark. Merciless and uncompromizing. And I looove the slow pumping riff at 3:50, which is also repeated at the end. What a way to finish a song! 9/10 (10/10)

Public Failure Number One: As with Isolation this is mostly a soft song with a jawdropping beauty of a melody. Both verse and chorus give me the same feeling as I am Lies does: This warm and also sad mood that I'm put in everytime I hear it. 9/10 (9/10)

I know I left out Death Command, but as I haven't heard it much, I won't comment on it for now...

lovecraft

01 April 2008, 16:57

What a different band Mercenary has become over the last few years with the exit of Kral.

IMO Everblack had a perfect bruteness about it that overshadows some of the records very few weak spots. I just saw that Jakob wrote Screaming From the Heavens (why the hell did you stop writing songs????) 9/10

Then came 11 Dreams, one of the best records ever in my book. The drumming is so insanely awesome, guitars equally, vocals from both are divine and the lyrics are killing me (not softly). This was Danish metal at it's best ever... 10/10

And then Kral quit... What a waste, I still have trouble accepting it. Why ruin something that fucking unbelievably great and perfect? AAAAARGH! Hear the screams of sorrow from the heavens lol.

The came THTR - to me a totally new style, obviously because of Kral's not cowriting lyrics and doing the vocals, but was still a great album. And well done given the circumstances. A couple of really good tracks amidst a few more boring ones. (8/10)

With the dawn of Rene as both growler and new bassist Mercenary's got a new profile. I met Rene (Århus releaseparty (the one who wanted you to write the weird autographs, Morten wrote: Kim Larsen skider i baghaven)) and he's a really great and cool guy and did one hell of a job on stage. Perfect substitute and has written some great lyrics too on AoL.

Now, AOL is certainly a good album, nothing bad can be said about musicianship neither, I also like the lyrics. Black & Hollow's one of my favorites. Not a song on that that I dislike, but I miss some of the magic from the old days, so my verdict is 8.5/10

You see I'm in quite a paradox, yearning for the old days much more, IMO, brutal music, although liking the new shit. I guess I just have to relive as much as I can my live-memories with Kral. But I have a wish - play more of the old stuff too (pre 11 Dreams), at the concerts i've attented it's been neglected a bit...

First Breath is so differnt than modern Mercenary that I forgot to comment it. Some very cool songs and some I'm not so crazy about. 8/10

Sorry about the confusing post, just been having a period of Mercenary-thinking...

Morten

02 April 2008, 14:52

EskiDEATH

02 April 2008, 15:21

Jakob said in this interview (http://www.antenna.nu/?p=51#more-51), that he has never written whole songs from scratch. But when it says in the EB booklet that he wrote Screaming from the Heavens, I think it means he wrote the majority, or arranged the basement (riffs, rythms, melody lines etc) and all that needed to be added was solos, keys and vocals. Or am I wrong?

Screaming from the Heavens.....why can't I even think of that title without almost crying?

lovecraft

02 April 2008, 17:26

Hey Lovecraft.

Thanks for your 5 cents.
One thing I didn't get though: Jakob never stopped writing songs???
We all contribute to all songs on all the albums, and the majority of riffs on 11 and lots on THtR and AoL are Jakobs...so that went a bit over my head.

About playing old songs, we're going to do that more this fall I guess. Our last 4 shows were release for the new album, so we played the entire album + extras.
But we're probably never gonna play more than maybe 2-3 songs of each of the old albums though...simply not enough time to do so.

Morten

About Jakob, I realised what you wrote when I checked the album sleeves shortly after writing, so i'll take that... please kick my lazy ass for not reading thouroughly about who wrote lyrics and music.

About playing older songs; I know you can't play that much old stuff, but the last three shows I attended (only one release show) you've hardly played anything from everblack (only Seize the Night) and these 3 concerts we're spread out for about two years... and from what I've heard from various people they'd like to hear classics too. Consider it a problem of luxury... I hope that you didn't take it negatively, just a longing for the old days, i'll try to shake the nostalgy off of me ;)

And thanks Eski for the link and info!!! (I agree about that song!)

Jorrit

13 May 2008, 21:34

About Jakob, I realised what you wrote when I checked the album sleeves shortly after writing, so i'll take that... please kick my lazy ass for not reading thouroughly about who wrote lyrics and music.

About playing older songs; I know you can't play that much old stuff, but the last three shows I attended (only one release show) you've hardly played anything from everblack (only Seize the Night) and these 3 concerts we're spread out for about two years... and from what I've heard from various people they'd like to hear classics too. Consider it a problem of luxury... I hope that you didn't take it negatively, just a longing for the old days, i'll try to shake the nostalgy off of me ;)

And thanks Eski for the link and info!!! (I agree about that song!)

Hmm, if you like the bruteness of Everblack you should like First Breath even more, atleast i do :p

s3nt3nc3d

15 May 2008, 12:50

So...I didn't even realize there was a new album out until yesterday. Decided to do a quick youtube search for 'Mercenary' and see if there were any new singles released recently...found out the new album was out and came across "Isolation".

First off...I'm not into your typical screaming metal and super crazy guitar riffs. I don't mind a little screaming, but I want to be able to understand most of the lyrics...and if there's no melody/harmony, the band isn't even worth my time. Mercenary has always provided this perfect style for me...Mikkel can carry a note like you wouldn't believe, the lyrics aren't too difficult to understand, and the guitar is amazing! So "Isolation" gets my vote as one of the best metal songs I've heard to date. Slow/calm yet it's still got the killer metal guitar riffs!

I went ahead and downloaded the rest of the album...from what I've heard, it's a great album just as all the rest. Will be purchasing it legally soon.

I'm also working on a tattoo design and it will contain references to Mercenary in it...trying to incorporate various aspects of my life all into one tattoo.

Edit: When I said I'd be purchasing it legally soon, I lied...I meant, NOW. hahaha. Just purchased the cd/dvd combo as well as 'First Breath'. I now own all the albums [that I'm aware of]. :)

Jorrit

15 May 2008, 22:10

Edit: When I said I'd be purchasing it legally soon, I lied...I meant, NOW. hahaha. Just purchased the cd/dvd combo as well as 'First Breath'. I now own all the albums [that I'm aware of]. :)

Buying First Breath = Having the best Merc album of all time.
Congrats.

Morten

15 May 2008, 22:59

fuck the albums.... remember to post a picture of that tattoo!!!
badazz...

(but thanks for supporting us :-)

s3nt3nc3d

16 May 2008, 09:00

fuck the albums.... remember to post a picture of that tattoo!!!
badazz...

(but thanks for supporting us :-)

hahaha...you betcha! Since it's going to have various symbols in it representing various aspects of my life...couple different bands (Demon Hunter, Cold, Mercenary...), as well as something to represent my mom who is the reason I am the person I am today (she died of cancer in 2003), etc, I was thinking of using the symbol that repeatedly flashes in the "My World is Ending" video. Does that symbol have any specific meaning in the video? If it means something like "I'm a fruitcake!" I may rethink using it :p

Edit:
http://www.blackshireserver.net/images/MWIE.png
That symbol

Morten

16 May 2008, 14:54

hahaha I don't think it means anything close to that.-.. hope not.
Then we would have to do a re-cut of that video as well.
Thats a pretty cool symbol, and is also the symbol the girl is drawing (is forced to draw)

My best bet is something with the holy 3(God, Jesus and the holy spirit)
mixed with a cross or something. It's quite common on churches -

Guess that should also fit your need somehow....? Belief, trust, being together about something, birth and death, etc.

Sorry about your mom.

Morten

s3nt3nc3d

19 May 2008, 09:22

And a little lesson I learned...

When asking a family member about the meaning behind a symbol involving religion...never use the word "tattoo" anywhere near the question. My aunt is a pastor for a church so I sent that pic to her to see if she's ever seen that symbol and could explain the meaning of it to me...of course I was stupid enough to mention its inclusion in a tattoo design.

Her response:
1. tattoo
is found in the bible. Leviticus 19:28 NIV Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourself, I am the Lord.
Not what you wanted to hear but your body is the temple of the Living God and He doesen't want you to mark it or destroy it. Hope that helps.

Hahaha...dammit. Ah well...like my friend and I have decided on, whether it's in the bible or not. The church is a temple of God and the people decorate them, so why shouldn't we decorate our bodies?