What makes First Breath by Mercenary notable?

First Breath received positive reviews for its ambitious blend of metal subgenres, which helped position Mercenary as a key player in the Danish metal scene. The album's unique sound influenced subsequent bands exploring similar melodic structures within heavy music. Released in January 1998, First Breath was Mercenary's debut album, marking their entry into the melodic death metal scene. At this point, the band was establishing their identity, blending aggressive instrumentation with melodic undertones, setting the stage for their future works.

Who is First Breath for?

First Breath works well if you're into dynamic progression with peaks, wave-like pacing for engagement and soaring vocals for emotional lift.

How many songs are on First Breath?

First Breath has 11 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

First Breath

Mercenary · 1998

56 min · 11 tracks · power metal

Melodic death metal riffs intertwine with atmospheric power metal elements, creating an expansive and dynamic soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Symbiotic — The opening track sets the tone with its intricate guitar work and compelling melodies, showcasing the band's signature blend of aggression and harmony right from the start.
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World Wide Weep — This track features a memorable chorus that highlights the band's melodic sensibilities while maintaining heavy riffs, illustrating their ability to balance melody and intensity effectively.
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Demon8 — As one of the longer tracks, it allows for complex arrangements and dynamic shifts, embodying the album's depth and Mercenary's musical ambition during this formative period.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album blends aggressive and melodic elements effectively, though it shows some signs of a debut effort.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature rapid tempo changes, alternating between aggressive riffs and melodic interludes, establishing a dynamic opening.
Several tracks incorporate dual vocal styles, with harsh growls contrasted against clean singing, enhancing the emotional range.
The album closes with a gradual deceleration in tempo over the last two tracks, creating a sense of resolution and finality.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic progression with peaks
wave-like pacing for engagement
soaring vocals for emotional lift
intricate guitar work exploration
for focused listening

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in January 1998, First Breath was Mercenary's debut album, marking their entry into the melodic death metal scene. At this point, the band was establishing their identity, blending aggressive instrumentation with melodic undertones, setting the stage for their future works.
Stylistic neighbors: Dark Tranquillity· In Flames· Soilwork

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Symbiotic 4:08
2 World Wide Weep 4:40
3 Horizon 8:04
4 Master Game 5:06
5 Perceptive 6:25
6 Graveart 4:09
7 Next to Nothing 3:43
8 Demon8 6:47
9 Watching Me 4:30
10 Alternative Ways 3:40
11 Sister Jane 5:09

What to play next

Listen next

Everblack

2002

Go back to

Supremacy

1996

Full Mercenary discography Artists like Mercenary

melodic death metal power metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata