The band initially started out as a solo project of guitarist Vlad in 1991. During that year, Clepy joined the band as vocalist and Leo as drummer. In this format we released the "Another Hell" demo in 1993. Then Dan Chirap became our bass guitarist and togheter we created the "Unholy Doom Creation" demo in 1995. During these years the band toured all over the country, thus leaving a mark in the Romanian Metal Stage. After playing the last confirmed gig in '95, Mercy's Dirge disbanded. In 2015 the band reunited with founding members Clepy and Vlad, alongside new guitarist Nistor. In 2016 the band found a bassist and a drummer. The band started gigging all over the country and released in 2018, "Mercy's Dirge" EP and "Live, Raw & Relentless" LP.
What got us together was our passion for music and our rebel spirit, our anti-system attitude, formed during our adolescence governed by the communist system that ruled our country so long and with such disastrous consequences.
2.In 2018 you had released both an ep and a full length, musically how do they both differ from your previous demo's?
The previous demos were played first in a 3-man band rather than a 4-member formula. There is an important issue regarding the quality of sound, we produced those demo’s in a basement with improvised microphones and old equipment , recording it all on an Russian tape recorder, with poor mastering skills.
The music was raw, simple and extremely brutal and what resulted was something original, amazing, surprising and sounded unexpectedly good considering the conditions we had. It sounds as the old northern/scandinavian Black Metal albums and demos of bands like Celtic Frost and Darkthrone.
Now we recorded the album in a professional studio, the EP was recorded on separate tracks, each one of us at a time, but the LP was recorded in a Live Session, a much faster way of recording all songs.
The quality of the sound is professional this time, the music has more Death Metal substance and sororities than the earlier versions, but the complexity is much higher and we are now five members, each of us bringing his own contribution to a more complex and better sound. We can say that our music is now mature and evolved.
3.The band was broken up for more than 20 years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform the band?
We gathered the band when we were students, with no obligations, no families, no jobs, so we were free to do whatever we wanted. However, as soon as we finished our studies, we had to find jobs in order to survive, so life and social conditions at that time had a major influence over this decision.
The decision to reform the band was an act of reclaiming our past that was stolen from us, in the beginning we were curious if we still can do this, and soon we got caught by the passion for music that we never lost . The conclusion was that we got better as the time passed over us.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with their music?
The themes that we approached were about the realities of society, about the revolt we felt against a cruel and unjust social system, about our anarchical attitude over authority, showing to the world that our spirit cannot be broken.
The eternal struggle between good and evil is also a major theme of our lyrics. In this theme we have included tales and legends, from which we have things we can learn from.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Mercy's Dirge'?
It is a combination between the empathy that we have for the problems of the present society, for the human race (Mercy) and the sound that struggles to burst out, the sound of our anger and the wrath (the Dirge), both of them caused by the unjust and unequal system that we live in, the pain and the suffering that this life offers us.
That was the concept that we had in mind 28 years ago, as youngsters. In the present days, the spirit, the wrath, anger and also the empathy remained , but maybe the concept would be different nowadays, as we lived and accumulated experience. Still we are loyal to our name and past.
6.Originally the band started out a solo project what was the decision, what was the decision behind hiring a full line up?
We felt that we needed more in order to achieve a more complete sound, a more complex formula of expression, evolution is a necessity for every band , it is also a normal thing in life, you evolve or you perish. Almost twenty six years passed since most of the songs were composed, so we had to enhance them and to bring new sounds and a modern and improved concept in order to be more actual. There are also new songs to complete our playlist. The new members also contributed to the rebirth of our music.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
It is something that for ordinary people and priesthood means immortality and occasion of subjugation and indoctrination, but in reality it is rotten for a long time and can not do anything miraculous.
8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We remember nostalgically of our earliest concerts that took place at the national festivals (earned awards at ‘Top t ’93 Buzau’ and ‘Metal Fan ’93 Bucharest’ for the most brutal vocal, best entry and best drummer) than at ‘Top t ’94 Buzau’ ;
We also had great shows during the last years at 31 Motors Pub , the best local scene, LIVE in Bucharest – Rotheads-Release/ Mercy’s Dirge/ Slicer/ FuckYouDracu – 03 Mar 2018. LIVE in 31 Motors Pub Suceava with Blodiga Skald [IT], Aether [PL] – 17 May 2018, LIVE in Quantic Bucuresti with Akral Necrosis – 18 May 2018, Wacken Metal Battle Romania 2018 Semifinala III (Iasi, Underground Club) – 26 May 2018, LIVE in Vintage Ploiesti with Saddayah/Blasted – 27 Oct 2018, LIVE in B52 Bucharest with Ulcerate / Rotheads / Walk The Abyss – 11 Apr 2019 and many others.
9.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We are still working on the touring part, once we know something we will inform you.
In the close future we have a few shows where we will participate, in June the 15-th at Iasi, The Gate Bar , DETLAND PROPHECY Festival, than there is the FLEX FEST, at Club Flex , on 5-7 July in Arad. These are the nearest events in the future. We are taking it step by step, creating our own public and fans, making our name and music heard everywhere.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We have to go further against all odds, there is no turning back, if we really want to leave a legacy, something worth taking account of, there is a long and hard road we need to follow. That has never scared us in the past, why should it be different now?
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
There was a lot of Black and Death Metal that we were listening in the past, practically Venom, Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, Burzum, Bathory, Emperor , Mayhem, Rotting Christ, Enslaved ,Marduk, and other bands on this style, then Napalm Death, Carcass, Entombed, Obituary, Unleashed, Bolt Thrower, Benediction and many more on the other part. We also listen to the new wave of Metal bands as Mgla, YLVA, Behemot, Gaza, Car Bomb, Ultha, Leeched, Thy Art is Murder and so on.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
MUIE PSD, MUIE BOR
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