Jakob Mølbjerg Martin Buus René Pedersen Martin Nielsen
Past members
Hans Jørgen Andersen Henrik "Kral" Andersen Nikolaj Brinkman Andreas W. Hansen Jakob Johnsen Mike Park Signar Petersen Mikkel Sandager Morten Sandager Morten Løwe Rasmus Laulund Jacobsen Peter Mathiesen
Mercenary was founded in Aalborg, Denmark in 1991 by Henrik "Kral" Andersen. The name was taken from a lyric in the Slayer song "Ghosts of War". After the release of two demos, Domicile (1993) and Gummizild (1994), they signed with Black Day Records and released a four-song EP, Supremacy (1996). In 1997, they were signed to the Danish label Serious Entertainment, and in 1998 they released their full-length debut, First Breath.
In 2002, the band expanded their sound with the addition of keyboardist Morten Sandager and his brother Mikkel. This new line-up blended melody into their heaviness.
That year, Mercenary played at the ProgPower music festival in the United States and released their second album Everblack. After this, the band fired drummer Rasmus Jacobsen, thinking he invested too little time into Mercenary and too much into other projects. During this time, guitarist Signar Petersen left the band for personal reasons. Drummer Mike Park Nielson and guitarist Martin Buus Pedersen would fill the two vacant spots. With this new lineup, Mercenary were signed to Century Media Records.
Continued success and the departure of Kral Andersen (2004–2006)
In 2004, Mercenary released their third full-length album, 11 Dreams. This proved to be their most commercially successful album, earning attention from fans and critics alike. That year, Mercenary toured as a supporting act for Evergrey, and then later with Brainstorm who were on their first headlining tour in Europe. They also played on the 16th Wacken Open Air in 2005, and supported Nevermore on a European tour later that year.
At the end of March 2006, the band announced that Kral left the band. Mikkel Sandager said in an interview[1] that Kral's departure was due to "being away from his family and...trying to make it with the band for 15 years. I think that he simply got tired of trying and trying."
The band wrote and recorded their fourth full-length as a five-piece, with Mikkel Sandager performing all vocals, and the album's producer Jacob Hansen handling bass duties. On 7 April 2006 the band finished the recording at Jacob Hansens Studios. Shortly after this, the band employed bassist/vocalist René Pedersen to replace Kral.
On 19 and 20 May 2006, at Saegfestival in Greding, Germany, Mercenary had their first live performance with Pedersen. At this show they played "Soul Decision", a song from their upcoming fourth album. On 1 August 2006, Mercenary released a compilation of early demos, Retrospective, and on 22 August, their new album, The Hours That Remain, was released.
The Hours That Remain and lineup changes (2007–2009)
On 21 October 2007, they announced a follow-up album to The Hours That Remain was being recorded and produced. On 12 December 2007, the band announced on their Myspace page that the new album was complete. Eight days later, the band announced the title of the new album to be Architect of Lies. It was released on 25 March 2008.[2]
Mercenary in 2007
On 11 November 2009, it was announced that Mikkel, Morten, and Mike had left the band. According to Jakob in a press statement: "we no longer share the same vision and enthusiasm about the direction and the future of the band".[3]
New lineup, Metamorphosis and Through Our Darkest Days (2009–2013)
On 23 November 2009, the band announced via Facebook that a new complete line-up had been established.[4]
On 23 December 2010, the band released a song from their upcoming album, Metamorphosis.[5] They released Metamorphosis in 2011.
On 26 July 2013, the band released Through Our Darkest Days.[6]
Hiatus, new band member and Soundtrack for the End of Times (2013–present)
On 15 January 2020, Mercenary announced Martin Nielsen as the new drummer, replacing Peter Mathiesen.[7]
On 9 March 2020, the band teased a new release after almost seven years of hiatus.[8] The new single, "From the Ashes of the Fallen", was released on 10 April 2020,[9] followed by "Where Darkened Souls Belong" on 25 February 2022.[10]
Following these releases, the band announced they were working on their 8th album,[11] to be named Soundtrack For The End Of Times,[12] which would be supported by a crowdfunding campaign. The new album would be produced by Jacob Hansen.[13] A new single from Soundtrack For The End Of Times, called "Heart Of The Numb", including vocals from Trivium vocalist Matt Heafy was released on 14 July 2023,[14] followed by the release of the full album on 22 September 2023.
Band members
Current
Jakob Mølbjerg – rhythm guitar (1994–present)
Martin Buus – lead guitar (2002–present), keyboards, backing vocals (2009–present)
René Pedersen – bass, unclean vocals (2006–present), clean vocals (2009–present)
Martin Nielsen – drums (2019–present)
Former
Henrik "Kral" Andersen – bass (1994–2006), unclean vocals (1991–2006), lead guitar (1991–1993)
Hans Jørgen Andersen – rhythm guitar (1991–1994; died 2012)
Andreas W. Hansen – bass (1991–1994)
Jakob Johnsen – drums (1991–1993)
Rasmus Jacobsen – drums (1993–2002)
Nikolaj Brinkman – lead guitar (1994–2000; died 2002)
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