Given the quality of Danish melodic death metal/progressive power metal outfit Mercenary over the last decade, it’s surprising to find that they’re still very much a widely unrecognised act outside of Europe.

Returning once again, following the release of their incredibly strong 2006 release The Hours That Remain, the six-piece act (who comprise of vocalist Mikkel Sandager, guitarists Jakob Mølbjerg and Martin Buus Pedersen, new bassist/backing vocalist René Pedersen, keyboardist Morten Sandager and drummer Mike Park Nielsen) have decided to alter their sound a little on their fifth full-length effort Architect Of Lies in what I assume is the hope of attracting a wider audience.

“New Desire” certainly opens up the album in an aggressive manner with Pedersen providing some great growls alongside Sandager’s cleaner and melodic efforts. But aside from the vocals, it’s the overall feel of the song where the changes the band has made in recent times can be felt. The guitars have taken a more thrash like direction, while the overall chorus structures are perhaps as melodic as the band have ever dared to pen.

“Bloodsong,” much like the opener, combines thrashier elements and soaring choruses with great effect, while tracks such as “This Black And Endless Never,” “The Endless Fall,” and “Execution Style” remain true to the band’s return to the decidedly heavier direction that was last heard on 2002’s Everblack.

But Architect Of Lies isn’t all about thrashing heaviness. Tracks such as “Embrace The Nothing,” “Isolation (The Loneliness In December),” “Black And Hollow,” “I Am Lies” and “Public Failure Number One” are every bit as melodic and memorable as anything from The Hours That Remain with only the guitars being given a little more of the spotlight in the mix.

Just how Architect Of Lies will fare with long time fans of the band is something only time will tell. But for me, both this band and album continue to impresses to me to no end.

www.mercenary.dk