Mercury Underground

When bands release a three track EP they really need to get their point across of who they are and what they are about fast due to the time constraints.

Here we have Glaswegian rockers Mercury Underground with their debut self-titled EP doing just that. There is a mixing pot of different rock styles that come with this band, everything from the more classic rock sound to the modern style. Ultimately this band is a modern rock band with hints and dashes of many other styles, giving them just that bit more originality.

The opening track sure does leave a lasting impression. The riff is punchy and hard, it is loud and in your face. Everything about it seems to slot together nicely to create a pretty solid track. What was nice about it was its upbeat fast tone; it had a very exciting atmosphere that came off very nicely. The second song fit in perfectly with the tone of the band, it had strong vocals and great musicianship. I found the chorus extremely catchy and it is one of those songs that you put on repeat and listen to over and over again. The final track has the same punchiness that we are rapidly growing familiar with. Sadly when it finishes it just leaves you wanting to hear more.

The main positive of the EP is its aggressive tone, aggressive in the sense that this band sound very confident with their music. They perform the tracks with an upbeat and edgy tone and this makes them sound not only like competent musicians but also like they believe in what they are doing, which is one of the most important features a band can have. There are no real negatives, granted they may not be everyone’s taste, but if you appreciate real rock music then Mercury Underground have done the genre proud. The strongest track for me was the final track ‘The Great Escape’; it was catchy, fun and well done. It possessed strong qualities on all fronts and just sounds nice to the ears.

All in all it is a great effort for a debut EP, I would definitely giving this band the time to listen to. You will not be disappointed.

Rating: 8/10 - NoHo Arts District

When bands release a three track EP they really need to get their point across of who they are and what they are about fast due to the time constraints.

Here we have Glaswegian rockers Mercury Underground with their debut self-titled EP doing just that. There is a mixing pot of different rock styles that come with this band, everything from the more classic rock sound to the modern style. Ultimately this band is a modern rock band with hints and dashes of many other styles, giving them just that bit more originality.

The opening track sure does leave a lasting impression. The riff is punchy and hard, it is loud and in your face. Everything about it seems to slot together nicely to create a pretty solid track. What was nice about it was its upbeat fast tone; it had a very exciting atmosphere that came off very nicely. The second song fit in perfectly with the tone of the band, it had strong vocals and great musicianship. I found the chorus extremely catchy and it is one of those songs that you put on repeat and listen to over and over again. The final track has the same punchiness that we are rapidly growing familiar with. Sadly when it finishes it just leaves you wanting to hear more.

The main positive of the EP is its aggressive tone, aggressive in the sense that this band sound very confident with their music. They perform the tracks with an upbeat and edgy tone and this makes them sound not only like competent musicians but also like they believe in what they are doing, which is one of the most important features a band can have. There are no real negatives, granted they may not be everyone’s taste, but if you appreciate real rock music then Mercury Underground have done the genre proud. The strongest track for me was the final track ‘The Great Escape’; it was catchy, fun and well done. It possessed strong qualities on all fronts and just sounds nice to the ears.

All in all it is a great effort for a debut EP, I would definitely giving this band the time to listen to. You will not be disappointed.

Rating: 8/10 - NoHo Arts District

So as planned last night I was at Adrenaline Mob in Glasgow at King Tut's. For those of you unaware Adrenaline Mob are a supergroup consisting of Mike Portnoy (ex Dream Theater) on drums, Russell Allen (Symphony X) on vocals, guitarist Mike Orlando and finally bassist John Moyer (Disturbed). They recently released their first album Omerta which I haven't actually heard so I was going in blind in terms of what to expect.

Anyway opening the bill were Mercury Underground a rock band from Glasgow. They only had a 15 minute set and I missed the first couple of minutes but what I saw of them was actually really fucking good. It's unusual for a local opening band to grab my focus as much as these guys did but they were really impressive. Lead singer/guitarist D.R. Webster is one hell of a guitarist and in 15 minutes they managed to show a lot of potential. You can find them on Facebook here and they apparently have an EP out which I'll grab a hold of and review. (7/10) - Ramblings About Music- Stuart Iversen

So as planned last night I was at Adrenaline Mob in Glasgow at King Tut's. For those of you unaware Adrenaline Mob are a supergroup consisting of Mike Portnoy (ex Dream Theater) on drums, Russell Allen (Symphony X) on vocals, guitarist Mike Orlando and finally bassist John Moyer (Disturbed). They recently released their first album Omerta which I haven't actually heard so I was going in blind in terms of what to expect.

Anyway opening the bill were Mercury Underground a rock band from Glasgow. They only had a 15 minute set and I missed the first couple of minutes but what I saw of them was actually really fucking good. It's unusual for a local opening band to grab my focus as much as these guys did but they were really impressive. Lead singer/guitarist D.R. Webster is one hell of a guitarist and in 15 minutes they managed to show a lot of potential. You can find them on Facebook here and they apparently have an EP out which I'll grab a hold of and review. (7/10) - Ramblings About Music- Stuart Iversen

This Glasgow Rock band got in touch with us here at Rockulus Maximus Towers with a swagger of self-confidence. Thus far they have just started making their mark on the Rock scene with tours including Attica Rage, Sick Puppies and The Sword. It's also worthy of note that they have toured with fellow Glasgow Rockers GUN who are a real fave. Their recording output understandably for a new up and coming hard working band is just getting started. Please shake hands with Mercury Underground.

Here we have an extended player containing three songs. If you're familiar with GUN then you may hear a very slight similarity to Mercury Underground's soundscape. This studio release kicks off with energy and a thump! "Shockwave Solution" has the whole band of D.R. Webster on guitars and vocals, Bradley Smith plucking those bass strings and Robert Shearer beating the skins crashing in simultaneously, and around 25 seconds into proceedings they calm down before keeping up a relentless pace once more. The driving riffage is somewhat familiar but remains fitting in the context of the song. Within the three minutes and thirty two seconds of this opening number they squeeze in a guitar solo which all compliments the overall track.

To my humble ears I hear the streets of Glasgow in their delivery, so for me this is a good representation of honest songwriting and Rocking. It's a good production too giving the listener an almost raw quality and the vocals aren't gritty. I didn't detect studio trickery. It's just a male vocal performance with a sense of emotion.

The second song of the three is the shortest and is titled "Stealing Hope". The pace is slowed down a little and concentrates on a tight groove. Lyrically a lot of folk will relate to the concept of grasping onto any hope they can get in whichever situation they are confronted. The third trackula on this release reveals itself in the form of "The Great Escape".

"The Great Escape" is a competent song but my least favourite on this Extended Player. The song retains the sound and style of the previous two but I wanted an element of the song to stand out, catch my ear. Knowing how competitive the world of Rock Music is and especially with the quality that is being reached right across the board, it's important in my humble opinion that Mercury Underground keep growing and developing, maybe broadening their delivery and throwing in the odd surprise. Sometimes it just takes one song to take a band to the next level and I feel that this band could have that one song within them. But all this E.P. shares with me is potential. Then again that's no bad thing. On a debut release that is a positive outcome.

Keep an ear to the ground regarding these guys. I love their hard working spirit and their overall sound and quite happily rate this E.P. seven guitars out of the remarkably perfect eleven. - Rockulus Maximus

This Glasgow Rock band got in touch with us here at Rockulus Maximus Towers with a swagger of self-confidence. Thus far they have just started making their mark on the Rock scene with tours including Attica Rage, Sick Puppies and The Sword. It's also worthy of note that they have toured with fellow Glasgow Rockers GUN who are a real fave. Their recording output understandably for a new up and coming hard working band is just getting started. Please shake hands with Mercury Underground.

Here we have an extended player containing three songs. If you're familiar with GUN then you may hear a very slight similarity to Mercury Underground's soundscape. This studio release kicks off with energy and a thump! "Shockwave Solution" has the whole band of D.R. Webster on guitars and vocals, Bradley Smith plucking those bass strings and Robert Shearer beating the skins crashing in simultaneously, and around 25 seconds into proceedings they calm down before keeping up a relentless pace once more. The driving riffage is somewhat familiar but remains fitting in the context of the song. Within the three minutes and thirty two seconds of this opening number they squeeze in a guitar solo which all compliments the overall track.

To my humble ears I hear the streets of Glasgow in their delivery, so for me this is a good representation of honest songwriting and Rocking. It's a good production too giving the listener an almost raw quality and the vocals aren't gritty. I didn't detect studio trickery. It's just a male vocal performance with a sense of emotion.

The second song of the three is the shortest and is titled "Stealing Hope". The pace is slowed down a little and concentrates on a tight groove. Lyrically a lot of folk will relate to the concept of grasping onto any hope they can get in whichever situation they are confronted. The third trackula on this release reveals itself in the form of "The Great Escape".

"The Great Escape" is a competent song but my least favourite on this Extended Player. The song retains the sound and style of the previous two but I wanted an element of the song to stand out, catch my ear. Knowing how competitive the world of Rock Music is and especially with the quality that is being reached right across the board, it's important in my humble opinion that Mercury Underground keep growing and developing, maybe broadening their delivery and throwing in the odd surprise. Sometimes it just takes one song to take a band to the next level and I feel that this band could have that one song within them. But all this E.P. shares with me is potential. Then again that's no bad thing. On a debut release that is a positive outcome.

Keep an ear to the ground regarding these guys. I love their hard working spirit and their overall sound and quite happily rate this E.P. seven guitars out of the remarkably perfect eleven. - Rockulus Maximus

Hamilton trio doing the rock thing, Mercury Underground count to three with their debut self titled EP. Three songs aren’t much to judge a band by but it has to be said that a solid effort has been made here to escape being typecast as lightweight indie rockers with pretensions of manhood. A very solid effort, in fact, and stadium rock does seems more the Mercury Underground game.

So, whilst there are power chords aplenty, there is also something more than guitar powered noise on show and that something is a reverential approach to reinventing the music of bands that were probably long disbanded before any of Mercury Underground were even borne. “The Great Escape”, in particular, makes the most convincing case of their survival with Dylan Webster sounding like he was borne to sweat and do hair rock.

Someday soon someone might just shine a light on Mercury Underground.

Available from Bandcamp.


Review by: Bluesbunny
- Bluesbunny

Hamilton trio doing the rock thing, Mercury Underground count to three with their debut self titled EP. Three songs aren’t much to judge a band by but it has to be said that a solid effort has been made here to escape being typecast as lightweight indie rockers with pretensions of manhood. A very solid effort, in fact, and stadium rock does seems more the Mercury Underground game.

So, whilst there are power chords aplenty, there is also something more than guitar powered noise on show and that something is a reverential approach to reinventing the music of bands that were probably long disbanded before any of Mercury Underground were even borne. “The Great Escape”, in particular, makes the most convincing case of their survival with Dylan Webster sounding like he was borne to sweat and do hair rock.

Someday soon someone might just shine a light on Mercury Underground.

Available from Bandcamp.


Review by: Bluesbunny
- Bluesbunny

When bands release a three track EP they really need to get their point across of who they are and what they are about fast due to the time constraints.

Here we have Glaswegian rockers Mercury Underground with their debut self-titled EP doing just that. There is a mixing pot of different rock styles that come with this band, everything from the more classic rock sound to the modern style. Ultimately this band is a modern rock band with hints and dashes of many other styles, giving them just that bit more originality.
The opening track sure does leave a lasting impression. The riff is punchy and hard, it is loud and in your face. Everything about it seems to slot together nicely to create a pretty solid track. What was nice about it was its upbeat fast tone, it had a very exciting atmosphere around it coming off very nicely. The second song fit in perfectly with the tone of the band, it had strong vocals and great musicianship. I found the chorus extremely catchy and it is one of those songs that you put on repeat and listen to over and over again. In the final track we here the same punchiness from the band that we are rapidly growing familiar with. Sadly when it finishes it just leaves you wanting to hear more.

The main positive of the EP is its aggressive tone, aggressive in the sense that this band sound very confident with their music. They perform the tracks with an upbeat and edgy tone and this makes them sound not only like competent musicians but also like they believe in what they are doing, which is one of the most important features a band can have. There are no real negatives to this band, granted they may not be everyone’s taste, but if you appreciate real rock music then Mercury Underground have done the genre proud. The strongest track for me was the final track ‘The Great Escape’; it was catchy, fun and well done. It possessed strong qualities on all fronts and just sounds nice to the ears.

All in all it is a great effort for a debut EP, I would definitely giving this band the time to listen to. You will not be disappointed.



Rating: 8/10
- Evident Noise (David Mariam)

When bands release a three track EP they really need to get their point across of who they are and what they are about fast due to the time constraints.

Here we have Glaswegian rockers Mercury Underground with their debut self-titled EP doing just that. There is a mixing pot of different rock styles that come with this band, everything from the more classic rock sound to the modern style. Ultimately this band is a modern rock band with hints and dashes of many other styles, giving them just that bit more originality.
The opening track sure does leave a lasting impression. The riff is punchy and hard, it is loud and in your face. Everything about it seems to slot together nicely to create a pretty solid track. What was nice about it was its upbeat fast tone, it had a very exciting atmosphere around it coming off very nicely. The second song fit in perfectly with the tone of the band, it had strong vocals and great musicianship. I found the chorus extremely catchy and it is one of those songs that you put on repeat and listen to over and over again. In the final track we here the same punchiness from the band that we are rapidly growing familiar with. Sadly when it finishes it just leaves you wanting to hear more.

The main positive of the EP is its aggressive tone, aggressive in the sense that this band sound very confident with their music. They perform the tracks with an upbeat and edgy tone and this makes them sound not only like competent musicians but also like they believe in what they are doing, which is one of the most important features a band can have. There are no real negatives to this band, granted they may not be everyone’s taste, but if you appreciate real rock music then Mercury Underground have done the genre proud. The strongest track for me was the final track ‘The Great Escape’; it was catchy, fun and well done. It possessed strong qualities on all fronts and just sounds nice to the ears.

All in all it is a great effort for a debut EP, I would definitely giving this band the time to listen to. You will not be disappointed.



Rating: 8/10
- Evident Noise (David Mariam)

We have been mentioned in several publications including Scotcampus Magazine, the national student newspaper. With comments like: "They have a sound evoking a young Rush or Deep Purple" "The bonecrushing riff and the grinding groove of Fracture will stick in your head for everlong" "Near the end of the song (Anything But Sunny) in comes a guitar solo which soars above the shimmering acoustic guitars beautifully" - Scotcampus Magazine