Nothing is written in stone these days ! After a few set backs there is promising news in the Cry For Mercy camp, therefore the band have changed the release date from January to April 2025. My review was ready to publish so have a read and I’ll remind you about of this amazing album nearer April ! Meanwhile go and see them at Percys on December 19th, details below x
Cry For Mercy have been compared to ‘Free’ and ‘Bad Company’ and vocalist Kev Plant certainly has a ‘Paul Rodgers’ type of quality, however this ‘power trio’ from North Wales fall somewhere between Blues and more earthy power Rock. Forming back in 2018 this is the bands third album and the 12 tracks are a mix of faster tunes and ballads that have heartfelt meaning. Kev, also on Bass is joined by his son Aled on Drums and Guitarist Andy Cutty. I first saw Cry For Mercy a HRH Festival a few years back and I’ve remained a follower, I just love the music they produce. If you saw them recently supporting ‘Temple Balls’ or ‘Hawklords’, you will have heard some of these tracks live already.
Cry For Mercy at The Tivoli Venue Buckley July 2023, Credit Swillys Photography Service
It’s quite an upbeat start for ‘This Machine’ with ‘A thing About You’. A pumping and melodic song with Kev singing on a few different levels and it takes a casual trek until the build up near the end. The guitar takes centre stage and Kev raises his vocals in response. ‘Show Me’ has warm tones to begin with and those lyrics are delivered so emphatically. It’s a song that gathers momentum as it pushes into a groove and there are subtle layers that let it breathe. The first single ‘Walking with the Enemy’ came out in October and it refers to addiction and mental health. Rocking with a hint of blues and having full on kick, then later screaming chords and solidified drumming, it just melts you.
Watch the lyric video for WALKING WITH THE ENEMY below which was produced by DREAMLINE VISUALS.
James Kevin Plant, was born to sing the blues, it’s evident as ‘All My Life’ comes into play. A demonstration of soulful intent, backed by a rhythm of clarity, this is so good on the ear. ‘Let Me Be’ resumes the more rockier hooks, one of the most impressive tracks on this album, with such a rumbling tempo and soaring words. Andy drops moments of screaming guitar, to see it out, so the song leaves on a high. The ballad ‘Nothing at All’ is beautifully crafted. Elegantly written allowing Kev to have the forefront, with his most emotional singing, well you just have to hear it, gosh the Welsh have wonderful voices. After that there’s a change of direction and ‘Moments’ is the perfect tune. A little ‘Thin Lizzy’ with a rolling bass laden melody, it simply roars with that captivating chorus. Louder guitar signals the aggressive last notes and ‘Saving Grace’ bombards us straight afterwards. Powerful as they can be, this punches the air with controlled energy and the levels develop into a wider scenario, having an almost tribal feel as those drums follow the repeating riff. We are taken back down for ‘I Don’t Mind’, a poignant and mellow intro soon rises though and it crunches with increased boldness. A delightful chorus to sing along with and softer strumming from Andy, it has so layers and boundless attraction.
‘Sometimes’ also has a gritty approach and this variation among the tracks, is combined brilliance. As we reach the penultimate number, we hear ‘You Can’t Help Me’ and this acoustic intro is gentle and moving. Kev takes hold of it with sky high vocals and the added keys are sumptuous. It fades and re-emerges, it strikes a strong melody and then fades again into the distance, truly outstanding. The last song is another ballad called ‘This Time’ and it’s graceful and balanced to perfection. Swaying guitar that hits notes so high and calming vocals, what an excellent way to bow out.
I can’t fault this album, it’s a work of art with 12 astonishing tracks. Cry For Mercy have already written one of the best albums for release in 2025.
Kev Plant says ‘this record really brings out the best in our songwriting, building on the style that we have developed over the last 5 years but also utilising some of the techniques we have developed in the studio to expand the sound without detracting from who we are as a band’. ‘the subtle use of keyboards and the layering of the guitars is a little different for us but the results are the best record we have made to date.’ ‘we again worked really quickly in the studio and the whole thing was recorded in 6 days…this is a reflection of the care in which we approached the process and making sure all of our ideas were recorded and rehearsed to studio standard whilst leaving room for some creativity when actually doing the recording, and we feel that this is reflected in the results.’
‘Cry For Mercy have already written one of the best albums for release in 2025’
HIGHLIGHTS – A Thing About Me, Show Me, Let Me Be, Moments, Saving Grace, You Cant Help Me.
Produced and engineered by Ben McEwan at Absolute Studios Salford.
RELEASE DATE 5TH APRIL 2025 keep up to date with the band on socials for news of pre-orders etc.
SEE CRY FOR MERCY AT PERCYS WHITCHURCH ON THE 19TH DECEMBER, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE SHEFFIELD BASED THE HEAVY SOULS – POSTER BELOW ( ACOUSTIC SHOW )
‘This Machine’ track listing –
1.A thing About You
2.Show Me
3.Walking with the Enemy
4.All My Life
5.Let Me Be
6.Nothing at All
7.Moments
8.Saving Grace
9.I Don’t Mind
10.Sometimes
11. You Can’t Help Me
12.This Time
CRY FOR MERCY ARE – Kevin Plant – Vocals / bass / acoustic guitars. Andy Cutty – Electric guitars and various noises and effects. Aled Plant – drums and percussion.
