Merciless Death = Merciless thrash attack

Merciless Death. No, it’s not ’85. These thrash purists from California are serving up the unadulterated real deal in 2007. I had the chance to speak with Merciless Death’s guitarist, Dan Holder about all things regarding thrash, MD’s tour, their debut, their follow-up and even Slayer. If you haven’t had the chance to hear Merciless Death’s debut on Heavy Artillery records, Evil in the Night, you are missing out on some of the best thrash since 1988.

-Don Rottenbucher
What's new in the Merciless Death camp right now? I'm stoked for the upcoming tour. I hope to see you guys out in Denver.

Dan Holden: As for now, the tour is the main thing happening, with dates being booked and such. We are getting ready to head out on the road and rehearsing and stuff, that’s it right now. We just played the last LA. show before the tour this past Sunday night and it kicked ass. We played some new songs and everyone seemed to really enjoy them so that was cool to see.

Your debut, Evil in the Night is getting great reviews. Do you think the time is ripe for a return to thrash or are you just satisfied creating music you love?

Dan: Yes it is, we are really happy with the way the album has been received all over the world. And it is a strong time for thrash metal again, but ultimately it comes down to doing what you love to do and we love to play this music so regardless of whether or not the genre is strong at the moment we enjoy making the music for us and the people that enjoy our stuff.

Do you think the current thrash/crossover revival is just a fad? I've seen a lot of the style coming back, albeit much more Hot Topic-ized.

Dan: I think it has two sides to it, some of it is a fad and will pass in time But there are also a lot of people that truly are into it and its great to see that happening now. I know several people who will still be into this shit several years from now when some of the people have moved on to the next big thing.

How has the exposure been for Merciless Death? The new album is out; the compilation (Speed Kills…Again!) is out and the gear is loaded for the tour right?

Dan: Exposure for us has been amazing, from yes both the album and the compilation. And from great reviews by different people and several interviews like this one. All of that stuff has helped to get us where we are today and really helped to get our name out there.

Could you see Merciless Death ever doing a music video or DVD anytime soon? Can we expect something in the vein of Live Undead?

Dan: A music video, I'm not sure. Really haven't thought about this one right now but who knows, tons of kick ass bands had videos so maybe at some point we will. Probably not a DVD for a long while though, that to me is something to put out once you have done many things already, we still have
so much to do so I think one day maybe that could happen. I think a live record sometime within the next two years would be bad ass and yes I would want it to capture that same energy that Live Undead has. I think it would be great to do one with material from Evil in the Night and a second album that we have yet to record.

Ed Repka did the art for Evil in the Night and it is absolutely killer. Will he do the follow up?

Dan: He did do a great job on the cover, we were really happy to have him do it. As for the follow up I don't know, if he can capture what we would want on it (which I'm sure he could) then i think it would kick ass to see him do it again. We'll see what happens.

What about the follow up to Evil in the Night? Honestly, I can't wait for another offering from the band. How long will be out on the road is support of this album?

Dan: Well for the second album, I guess that will fall into place once we finish the tour. Basically for the second album we already have all the material for it, just have to record it and do all the releasing stuff thatcomes along with it once that comes up. Soon enough!
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So you really don't like folks who prefer Pantera over Razor (as stated in your "Thanks" list on the Evil in the Night)? Is Razor even still around? How about a Merciless Death spin on a Razor tune someday?

Dan: Haha- the Hatelist. Honestly I tell everyone the same thing, don't take it seriously because you won't get it. They all have stories behind them and the Razor and Pantera one is basically because of this argument we had with some fuckin’ posers that were saying stuff about Razor being a glam band andthis and that. We were just like, "what the fuck?” You say that and you listen to Pantera? What the fuck do you think they were in the 80's? Hell when Pantera was releasing albums like Projects in the Jungle and I Am the Night, Razor was releasing Evil Invaders and Malicious Intent among
others, so you tell me who is the heavy band there. Stupid fucks, Haha! But Power Metal from '88 by Pantera is a good record. They were jamming on that one. That’s really the only one I can say that I really like.

And yes Razor is around but with Bob Ried instead of Sheepdog, I'd still see them play though since I never could back in their glory days. As for us playing a song of theirs, we did “Evil Invaders" about a year and a half ago and it kicked ass. I'd like to cover "City of Damnation" if anything by them.

What are your top 5 albums? What is the most influential thrash album in your opinion?

Dan: This one is probably the easiest as I spend alot of time thinking about records. For me one album stands above the rest when it comes to extreme metal, and that album is Hell Awaits. I consider that the all time album, not Reign in Blood. Yeah that kicks ass too but Slayer really took everything a step ahead on Hell Awaits, the other four albums that would follow that are:

Infernal Majesty - None Shall Defy
Possessed - Seven Churches
Venom - At War with Satan
Death - Leprosy

There are a lot of other albums I really fucking worship too in the same vein as these, all these records had a certain feel to them that set them apart from a lot of other albums from those years<!--[endif]-->

What struck me the most about Merciless Death is that you guys are the real deal and you are taking no prisoners. Some of the biggest thrash bands are still around today. What do you think of the new releases from Megadeth and Exodus? Both bands are getting back to their roots.

Dan: Yes, we are the real deal, and it doesn't bother me to say that. This music rules our lives and it did before Merciless Death even began. We collect everything that is involved with this music, from the albums to flyers to fanzines/magazines to shirts - We collect all of it! And we have some pretty cool shit too! Haha! As for new releases for one I'm not really a Megadeth fan and I don't really listen to much of the new Exodus. I prefer listening to Baloff's voice on Bonded by Blood or occasionally Souza on Pleasures of the Flesh, but I don't know about the new one. The one thing I will always remember about Exodus is seeing them back in early '04 at the Galaxy with the old lineup (except no Rob on bass) and Souza on vocals and they kicked ass. They played a ton of shit I really wanted to hear and actually they played everything on Bonded by Blood except "No Love" I think! Which would have been cool but I wasn't complaining!

Best of luck on the tour! Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Dan: Thanks, its going to kick ass and we are going to have a great fucking time playing and meeting cool people to party with along the way. So yeah we'll be seeing you all on tour! Lastly I'd just like to say thanks to everyone one of our fans for their support in making this band what it is today, we will never forget that!