Mercy

Sweet Cobra are among the early pioneers of the subculture that birthed bands like Mastodon, Pelican and Torche. But like many leaders, it is sometimes easy to get lost in the shadows of your peers. The Chicago noise rockers have a sound that rides the line between filthy sludge rock and anthemic hardcore with d-beats, metallic undertones and pseudo-psychedelic guitar parts every step of the way. From burly to catchy, Sweet Cobra could easily draw comparisons to Quicksand, Murder City Devils or Helmet in the same breath as they are likened to Entombed, Bolt Thrower or Torche. Call their breed of rock what you will; it is as heavy as it is melodic and as catchy as it is abrasive, and far from orthodox in whichever subgenre you place them in. Mercy was recorded in the first half of 2009 with engineer Sanford Parker (Minsk, Pelican) at Volume Studios in Chicago and later mixed by Kurt Ballou (Converge) at God City in Massachusetts. Lead by the thundering battlecry of singer/bassist Tim Remus' tortured howl, the vibrant and innovative riffs of Matt Arluck and Robert Lanham Jr., and the relentless pounding of drummer Jason Gagovski, the release of Mercy was sidelined as the group picked up the pieces when Arluck, a longtime member, lost a long battle with cancer. The band have finally collected themselves, once again raising the torch in the honor or their fallen friend. Mercy serves as Arluck's musical last will and testament, a proud monument to his innovative and energetic playing that was sadly cut much too short.