Established in 2004, Mercury Down released its raw and edgy debut album ‘Music for the Addict’ in 2005,
on the Houston based label Spyder Records. After becoming one of Houston’s most dangerous rock bands,
Mercury Down went on hiatus to write and record their sophomore album entitled ‘Automatic Crush.’ As the
writing for the album progressed, the boys went back to their rock-n-roll roots channeling the spirits of some
of rocks legendary heavyweights. Though the influences of such greats as the Cult, Guns-n-Roses, Motley
Crue, AC/DC, and Black Sabbath can be heard throughout the disc, lead singer and guitarist Robb Lampman
explains that Mercury Down’s sound is “purely and unmistakably our own.†These influences helped the
band write their best album to date.
In 2006 Mercury Down entered Diamond Recording Studio to work with long time producer Gregg Gill
and drummer extraordinaire Bobby Blotzer. The goal for this album was to capture the attitude and no-holds-
barred swagger of the bands live performances. From the signature bone crushing guitar tones and riffs, to
the dynamics of the rhythm section, this record sonically explodes. Robb Lampman’s distinct vocal style and
delivery sets the record’s tone, while Mike Holt handles the lead guitar duties of this dual guitar attack.
Landing tasteful accents to a blitzkrieg of fast intricate leads, together Lampman and Holt’s guitar styles
make for a perfect mix of thunder and lightning. The rhythm section is as dynamic as the songs they hold
together. Bass player, Chadwick Davis, is not your run of the mill modern bassist, establishing his own style
utilizing different effect pedals, his melodic bass lines add a distinctive texture to the dual guitar work of the
songs. While Randy Wassermann is not content with just holding down the beat, his unconventional styling
adds a menacing feel to each song.
Mercury Down’s ‘Automatic Crush,’ is not a record to take lightly. The slow thundering groove of
“Downtown†and the fist-pumping stomp of “Kitty†offer the listener a modern day ride down memory lane.
While the dynamic grandeur of “With You†and the dark yet uplifting feel of “Suicide Eyes†could easily be
heard on radio play list nationwide. Together Mercury Down has created a sound and style that is missing
from many of today’s modern rock bands. This is raw, in your face hard rock with plenty of hooks and
enough energy and attitude to appeal to a wide variety of rock-n-roll fans that are hungry for just that,
rock-n-roll.
