Formed in 1987, MERCYLESS released their kvlt debut, “Abject Offerings”, produced by world-class producer Colin Richardson (Carcass, Machine Head, Napalm Death…), in 1992 through UK’s Vinyl Solution/World in Flames. Preceded by three demos and an EP (“Immortal Harmonies”, “Visions from the Past”, “Vomiting Nausea” from 1988 to 1990), followed by countless gigs in Europe, the album, with its trademark riffing and vocal styles on top of a brutal, uncompromising yet crystal-clear production and a truly personal approach of unholy Death Metal, immediately earned the band the worldwide recognition it deserved.
Soon followed by “Coloured Funeral”, still produced by Colin Richardson, in 1993 through Century Media. The album was spread by a tour with DEATH and ANACRUSIS, another one with MORGOTH, UNLEASHED, TIAMAT and SAMAEL, and a lot of french gigs with CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY, ASPHYX, HYPOCRISY, LOUDBLAST, AGRESSOR, SUP, DESULTORY, MASSACRA… Both albums and MERCYLESS altogether are still seen as some of the kvltest Death Metal band and releases of the early nineties.
Back from the grave in 2011, the band started re-releasing its back-catalog, (“In memory of Agrazabeth”, a compilation of demos and rarities in 2011 and “Visions from the Past, live 1989”, an official bootleg in 2012) before entering the studio again to record their comeback (fifth) full-length, “Unholy Black Splendor”, produced by Dan Swanö (ASPHYX, OPETH, DISSECTION…), released in 2013, and a split EP, “Blast from the Past”, with just-resurrected French act CRUSHER in 2015, soon followed by European tours with fellow french veterans LOUDBLAST, CATACOMB and NO RETURN.
Meanwhile, MERCYLESS reissued their kvlt debut with three different labels on CD, LP and cassette tape. KAOSKVLT, the new KAOTOXIN division dedicated to old-school gems reissues, releasing on early 2016 to celebrate the album’s 25th anniversary what’s most probably the trvest, rarest and kvltest version: a 100 collector copies cassette tape edition.
While celebrating these reissues, MERCYLESS signed to Kaotoxin (XENOKORP now) and entered the Psykron (PUTRID OFFAL) and Conkrete (OTARGOS, ANATA remasters…) studios to record their sixth studio full-length, “Pathetic Divinity”. Preceded by a free digital single titled “Altered Divination” in June 2016, the album was released on October 2016 marking a year full of celebrations for the band’s 30th anniversary.
The album was followed by European tours with PUTRID OFFAL, LOUDBLAST and AVULSED and shows with GRAVE, OBITUARY, RITUALIZATION, BEHEADED, THE MONOLITH DEATH CULT, FLESHCRAW…
Finally in June 2019 the band enter the studio for the new opus “The Mother Of All Plagues” is mixed and mastered by HK Krauss at Vamacara studio (Loudblast, Sinsaneum…) and the cover is entrusted to the Mexican artist Nestor Avalos (Bloodbath, Dark Funeral…). This new album is darker, violent, vicious, brutal and as usual without compromise. It comes out in August 2020 and have a huge promotional campaign through magazines, fanzines, radios… with a very good feedback for the quality of this new album. Gigs, festivals and tours are on the way to defend this new offering.
In 2023 the group signs an exclusive contract with the famous label OSMOSE PRODUCTIONS for the worldwide re-release of the album “Abject Offerings” (1991). Following this album, there are concerts, festivals, tours throughout Europe… with HELLHAMMER, SODOM, VOIVOD, VULCANO, ROTTING CHRIST, IMMOLATION, NERVO CHAOS, BENEDICTION, HECATE ENTHRONED, BÜTCHER, MOONSPELL, LEFT TO DIE… MERCYLESS’ new album “THOSE WHO REIGN BELOW” released on October 25th 2024. Blasphemous and evil tracks that’s represent the band’s history.
SPREAD THE ETERNAL DEATH CULT!
Otero Max – Guit. / Vox
Merklen Gautier – Guit.
Voirin Johann – Drums
Tligui Yann – Bass
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