HappyHeadbanger Fest - 2016, at Elbo Room, Chicago. Saturday, September 3rd.

Post # 333

A rock and metal music fest that will primarily feature the independent bands featured here on this blog for the past seven years... HappyHeadbanger Fest will be sure to satiate every Chicago metal-head's need for headbanging! Featuring 3 previous winners of my 'Independent Band of the Year' annual contest, plus members from other previously featured bands, and a couple bands to be featured in this year's upcoming Independent Band of the Year Reader's Poll, this fest is as much about promoting the Chicago and surrounding area's music scene as it is about that scene supporting this blog in return.

In just under 3 weeks, Scars of Armageddon, the current Band of the Year, will be performing, along with previous Bands of the Year Her Name Is Mercy and Fist To The Sky. Other bands performing include Threatening The Order, Mediums, and Proudest Angel!

6 Independent Metal and Punk Rock bands! Fully Amped and Unplugged sets on 2 stages! MC'd by the Happy Headbanger Himself! This brand new music fest will have something for everyone...

HappyHeadbanger Fest will be at Elbo Room in Chicago on September 3rd at 8pm (doors open at 7pm). Tickets are $9.00 in advance through the Elbo Room's Ticket page, or direct from them bands if you're following them. Tickets will be $10 at the door.

Follow HappyHeadbanger on Facebook, the HappyHeadbanger Fest event page, The Elbo Room, and any of the bands performing to keep updated on this one-of-a-kind, and First Ever HappyHeadbanger Fest!

(Recent Update: Due to unforseen circumstances there has been a change in this line-up. Mediums has replaced Evil Engine for HappyHeadbanger Fest 2016.)

Her Name is Mercy-Oceans (2015)

Post #310

Her Name Is Mercy are the current Independent Band of the Year for this blog, and although I've been trying my best to keep up with announcing their shows throughout the year, I am long overdue to review their recent album 'Oceans'.

Her Name Is Mercy are a hardcore metal band from Lafayette, IN. Their  eight-track debut album, 'Oceans', gives you a little bit from each facet of their musical formula. The most prominent features of their music are of course hardcore screamed vocals, heavy crunching guitar riffs, and intense tempos with powerful double-bass drum rhythms. This is essentially their hallmark, but their talent and creativity doesn't stop there. A close listen to this album in its entirety reveals more layers to their sound...

The first track is simply entitled 'Intro', and sets the mood for the album. Fade-in with the sound of ocean waves washing upon the shore, and gulls squawking in the background. Then a minor key melody begins playing on piano. Cellos join in on the melody, then synthetic percussion followed by true bass-drumming. Lastly come the electric guitars with their powerful heavy riffs. All this is simply to prepare you for the over-the-top intensity that is to follow.

'Faceless' is non-stop riffage and hardcore screams. Vocalist Kory Rogers' voice dwells in the guttural death-metal range for much of the song. This song's formula may be the norm for the album,but there are a few small departures...

'Aftermath' is without a doubt the biggest departure for Her Name Is Mercy on this collection of songs. A clean-tone melodic guitar at the start lets you know this song has something different to offer. While this soft riff continues at a mild tempo, a lead guitar joins the mix. These solos are reminiscent of Metallic's 'Fade to Black'. In fact, 'Aftermath' does for Oceans what 'Fade to Black' did for Ride the Lightning; it gives the album some true variety and depth, making it more memorable in the process.

'Oceans', the title track, is probably the album's crowning achievement. It may not provide anything new, but the intensity, hardcore heaviness, and downright insanity of the vocal delivery are done with some intangible precision that elevates this track a notch above the rest. They even have a music video for this one. Check it out:
For any of you who appreciate hardcore and death metal, take a minute to download Oceans from Her Name Is Mercy. It's currently available for free/name-your-price through their bandcamp page: http://hernameismercyofficial.bandcamp.com/releases

Recommended Tracks:
-Faceless
-Hurricane
-Aftermath
-Oceans

Her Name is Mercy playing in support of Makeshift Tragedy at their CD release show

Post # 309
Her Name is Mercy, are performing in support of Makeshift Tragedy's CD Release show this Friday, May 29th in Indianapolis, IN and the 5th Quarter Lounge. It's another chance to see this year's Independent Band of the Year live...

Click the link below for details!

https://www.facebook.com/events/715152171938474/

Her Name Is Mercy: FREE SHOW This Saturday, April 18th! (Frankfurt, IN)

Post # 308

Her Name is Mercy are about to perform another free concert. 21 and over/no cover, this Saturday, April 18 at the Animal House in Frankfurt, IN. Show starts at 6pm. Guaranteed to be a night of blistering hardcore and death-metal!! Also performing: Damn Us All, Speed God, Only Human, Born Under Burden and more!

 

Follow Her Name is Mercy on Facebook

 

Download their album 'Oceans' from Bandcamp.com

Her Name Is Mercy: FREE SHOW, January 17th- Frankfurt, IN!

Post #307

Her Name Is Mercy recently won the title of 'Independent Band of the Year' here at www.happyheadbanger.com. Their first show of 2015 is a free show at Animal House in Frankfurt, IN. As chance would have it, last year's 'Independent Band of the Year', Psychopathic Daze is also playing this show. Wonder if they'll do any 'Passing of the Torch' ceremony as part of the show? In any case, pure face-melting metal is sure to be heard! Don't miss it!

Independent Band of the Year Reader's Poll-2014

Post #299

-Her Name Is Mercy (Lebanon, IN)

A hardcore/metalcore band from Indiana, these guys deliver intense hardcore metal is a similar vein to several of their influences, such as The Dillinger Escape plan and Between the Buried and Me. Check out:
-Oceans
-Hurricane

-The Phoenix Philosophy (Minneapolis, MN)

This band's style is self-described as Pop/Rock/Electronic. Their execution of this vision takes a heavy rock guitar sound and pairs it with synth-electronic elements, all the while maintaining a catchy vocal melody in the top layer of the mix. I would be tempted to compare their sound to Skillet.
Check out:
-Up In Flames
-Going Down Swinging

-Dellacoma (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

This band is hot on the rise from 'down-under', already touring in the states while having formed less than a year ago... Simply put, their sound is straight up hard rock. Their influences stem strongly from any band Scott Weiland is associated with, and they emulate the vibes of both Velvet Revolver and Stone Temple Pilots with their live performances.
Check out:
-Change
-Dead Will Rise

-Grand Evolution (Boston, MA/Providence, RI)

A female-fronted alternative rock band form the southern New England area. Their sound captures vocal melodies mixed with both clean and distorted guitar riffs. While their singer's voice reminds me of Liz Phair, their musical style rings true to the likes of their mid-to-late 90's influences, including Radiohead and Soul Asylum

Check out:

-Hello

-Purpose

-Amicus (Chicago, IL)

This band follows more closely to the post-grunge genre of hard rock. They present a heavy-yet-melodic sound, tight grooves, and a voice that at times mirrors Staind's Aaron Lewis. You can catch them playing somewhere in the Chicago area supporting their new release 'Collapsing Chemistry'.
Check out:
-Collapsing Chemistry
-We Are the Truth

-False Hope Fades (Chicago, IL)

A female-fronted heavy metal band that gives you heavy mid-tempo riffs and a bluesy melodic vocal. Perhaps best described as groove metal, this band keeps the sound heavy and the mood dark...
Check out:
-Coward
-Break

-Deadiron (Cleveland, OH)

This band is one that gives you a bit of a throw-back sound and fit the 'traditional metal' subgenre, or maybe 'power metal' as well. Fast and technical guitar work is a perfect compliment to the vocals which are powerful without being screamed. 

Check out:

-Revelation

-Legacy of Thunder