Established in the mid-‘90s with a simpler death-thrash style, MERCENARY have continuously expanded creating ominously sinister music that resonates with a unique Scandinavian coldness. Vocalist Mikkel Sandager and his brother, keyboardist Morten, joined Mercenary on 2002’s “Everblack”. Therein the band’s compositions became increasingly sophisticated, with their third full-length album and Century Media debut, 2004’s “11 Dreams”, hailed as “perfect…10/10” by Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles and crowned “album of the month” in Germany’s Metal Hammer magazine upon release, amongst other remarkably positive worldwide press. Its success secured the band multiple European tours supporting bands like Evergrey, Brainstorm and Nevermore, as well as summer festival appearances at Wacken Open Air, Summer Breeze, Earthshaker Fest, Dynamo, Inferno Festival, Roskilde and many others.

Returning to expertly and powerfully record and mix “The Hours That Remain” is Jacob Hansen (Communic, Maroon, Hatesphere, etc.), who already successfully worked with the band on the previous “11 Dreams” release, and with cover art by esteemed artist Travis Smith (Death, Opeth, God Forbid, Katatonia), the album also includes guest vocal appearances by Soilwork’s Björn “Speed” Strid and Heaven Shall Burn’s Marcus Bischoff. Throughout the album’s recording process the band has announced René Pedersen as replacement for their longtime bassist/vocalist Kral, who parted ways with the band some months earlier. The bass duties on “The Hours That Remain” were executed by producer and Invocator singer/guitarist Jacob Hansen. Already having debuted their revamped line-up to much acclaim at Germany’s Rock Hard festival and as supporting King Diamond on some recent European dates, MERCENARY are scheduled to appear at both the ProgPower festivals in Europe / USA and the band will soon be adding more dates all over the place to present their incredibly high-quality and fresh-sounding new album.Returning to expertly and powerfully record and mix “The Hours That Remain” is Jacob Hansen (Communic, Maroon, Hatesphere, etc.), who already successfully worked with the band on the previous “11 Dreams” release, and with cover art by esteemed artist Travis Smith (Death, Opeth, God Forbid, Katatonia), the album also includes guest vocal appearances by Soilwork’s Björn “Speed” Strid and Heaven Shall Burn’s Marcus Bischoff. Throughout the album’s recording process the band has announced René Pedersen as replacement for their longtime bassist/vocalist Kral, who parted ways with the band some months earlier. The bass duties on “The Hours That Remain” were executed by producer and Invocator singer/guitarist Jacob Hansen. Already having debuted their revamped line-up to much acclaim at Germany’s Rock Hard festival and as supporting King Diamond on some recent European dates, MERCENARY are scheduled to appear at both the ProgPower festivals in Europe / USA and the band will soon be adding more dates all over the place to present their incredibly high-quality and fresh-sounding new album.

Where “11 Dreams” first raised awareness within the global metal scene for these unique, inventive Danish metal hopefuls, “The Hours That Remain” is destined to result in MERCENARY’s deserved ultimate breakthrough. Songs like the pounding opening ‘Redefine Me’, the extremely catchy and straight forward ‘Soul Decision’ as well as the epic and profound ‘Lost Reality’ are prime examples for the band’s perfect blend of musical complexity and irresistible catchiness to equal terms. From magnificent guitar melodies topping drivingly aggressive rhythmical passages up to Mikkel Sandager’s brilliantly performed catchy hooks, “The Hours That Remain” is an impressing musical entity which is likely to become one of this year’s most remarkable metal albums!