Search - Mercury Rising :: Building Rome

Not what I had hoped for

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 03/17/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I ran across Mercury Rising's 1996 debut Upon Deaf Ears a few years ago and was quite impressed with the band's style of progressive metal, which was equal parts Queensryche and Nevermore (the only "Seattle Sound" that matters). It was progressive and aggressive at the same time, which is something a lot of prog metal bands can't seem to pull off. Naturally I was looking forward to hearing the band's follow-up album, 1998's Building Rome.



Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time believing that this is the same band. Building Rome is as progressive as Upon Deaf Ears, perhaps more so, but the thrashy aggression of that first album is sadly lacking here. I had to flip the jewel case over to make sure the band hadn't signed to the "Go ye therefore and sound like Dream Theater" Magna Carta label. This is by-the-numbers progressive metal, and nothing you couldn't find dozens of other bands playing. Building Rome is a more complex, more progressive album than Upon Deaf Ears, but it's also a lot less interesting.



I can only recommend this album to those who buy just about every prog metal album they encounter. If you're curious about Mercury Rising, I strongly suggest skipping this album and checking out Upon Deaf Ears instead.

"

More laid-back than "upon deaf ears"

Jason P. Sorens | Tonawanda, NY United States | 08/17/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Building Rome" is more laid-back than "Upon Deaf Ears" but probably also more mature. The vocals are more restrained, and the guitar riffs are slower. Overall, this is a good progressive rock/metal album with all the elements that prog fans would be looking for. However, there is very little distinctive about the CD. I would recommend going for the thrashier "Upon Deaf Ears" first."