Mercury X – Imprisoned

7/10

Progressive rock from Sweden. Yes thank you.

Intricate without going overboard. A perfect balance between technique and sheer brilliance of melodies.

This release was supposed to be a stand alone 25 minute song but they added four more songs and for that we are eternally grateful. (”A Change of season” by Dream Theater comes to mind)

An album that will make its way up on my end of year list. No! Not the highest positions but still on the upper half of it I think. I loose myself in the music so much that I forget to write something the first time I listened.

When they turn into a more heavy metal progressive band they just impress me even more, a track like ”Lonely” should be heard by many. To release it as a “single” today is like selling sand in Sahara I think but they´ve made a video of it so go check it out.

The title track is on the other hand a demanding one that mostly attract those who are aware of the more adventurous part of this style of music.
I am so curious to see what the future holds for this band. Halfway through the title track I can hear some similarities to a band like Rage surprisingly enough.

And for the finale. They must have sneaked into the studio where Evergrey recorded “Hymns For The Broken” and snatched bits and pieces from them. But then again/ who am I to complain about such a fact.

Band: Mercury X
Title: Imprisoned
Label: Frontiers
Date of release: 2021-12-10
Rate: 7/10
Stand Out Track: Lonely
Country of Origin: Sweden
Playing Time: 45.12