Hi Erik, in September last year you released your first EP, ‘Tormented Souls’, on cassette tape through Hells Headbangers Records and on CD via Atolinga Records. If you look (and listen) back to the result now, how would you describe the whole process leading up to the EP? Can you reflect on this first stage of the band with me?
Tomas had been talking about Mercenario a few years back on his social media page. Around that time we had some correspondence with regards to Morbosidad merch. I’m an avid vinyl collector and snatched some records from him. I remember just randomly reaching out to him to ask about Mercenario and what was going on with that project. After some back and forth he asked if I wanted to do it and of course I said yes. It was a great opportunity to work with someone I respected in the scene.
I began writing the music for Tormented Souls sometime in 2022. As I would complete music I would send the demos to Tomas for feedback. I spent a great deal of time doing rewrites because we just wanted the music to be perfect. The songs and how they are represented on Tormented Souls is nothing like how they began. Many songwriters can relate, I’m sure.
I recorded the music in my Underground Onslaught Studio in late 2023 and early 2024. Tomas recorded vocals with Ziek (Guitarist in Morbosidad) and sent me the tracks to mix in. Overall, I think we are happy with how it turned out. And it is only the beginning.
Besides you, Mercenario exists of Tomas Stench, primarily known for his vocals in Morbosidad. Before coming back in early 2025, Morbosidad had a short break-up in 2024. Was this a bit of the lead up to starting Mercenario or was this new band of yours already in the making?
Mercenario was already moving along before any of that happened. We keep Mecenario separate from our main projects and move forward with Mercenario at our own pace.
Whether or not the both of you see Mercenario as a side-project, you do also have other bands going on. What would you say sets Mercenario apart from your other musical endeavours?
Mercenario is its own entity. The music is written on purpose and with a purpose separate from our other projects. Mercenario should have its own identity and that is what we work for. We have some more freedom to write outside of the box from our primary bands. We pull in influence from every direction. Each of the four songs on Tormented Souls really have their own identity.
Continuing somewhat on the previous question and maybe a bit of an obvious question too, but considering both your backgrounds I guess a just one: what exactly was the spark that made you start this band together? Especially for Tomas this is a bit of a remarkable move, Morbosidad has been around since 1991 and Mercenario is his first band he’s doing besides his main focus…
I do not know what the motivation for Tomas was. Perhaps another outlet for musical creativity and something different from Morbosidad. I think a lot of artists need to break away from the norm and what fan expectations are. Being locked into a one dimensional world is exhausting and uninspiring.
For me it was an opportunity and I took it. I live in an area where not many musicians have the passion I do for the music I am trying to create so I need to look elsewhere. Contacting Tomas and having written this EP together has been a great experience. I need to work with like minded individuals.
Tomas only adds his trademark vocals to the music of Mercenario, that leaves you the sole responsibility for the music. How does the creative process around the band look like? I guess creating music as a duo is quite difference from the dynamics of a full band?
Yes it is, but like I said earlier we get to work at our own pace. When the inspiration hits and the ideas swell for Mercenario I will start recording the music and arranging it. When I feel there is a song that is complete I will send the file to Tomas so he can listen and provide feedback. I will take the feedback, if there is any, and keep working until we have a song we are both happy with. Once the music is complete Tomas will write lyrics. The new record will be more tailored to the guttural style of vocal he is using for Mercenario.
Mercenario hasn’t had that much media coverage yet, but from what I read it seems people are liking what you are bringing to the table. An obvious comparison that pops up everywhere is Morbosidad. Is that something that bothering you? Since for obvious reasons I can’t imagine Morbosidad being a major influence on the music you write, what would you consider your most vital sources of inspiration? And how do you think that translates to your music?
I do not think Mercenario sounds like Morbosidad at all. Musically or vocally. I think some people need their hearing checked. Mercenario has the blood of many genres. Mercenario is musical war. The inspiration is violence. The inspiration is despair. The inspiration is death. Everything ends. It is the one truth of this world and I use it.
The EP was released on cassette tape by Hells Headbangers Records and on CD through Atolinga Records. Judging from the previous experience of especially Tomas, the alliance with those two labels are not much of a surprise. Were they involved from the start of the band or did you reach out to some others as well?
Hells Headbangers and Atolinga Rex came later after the Tormented Souls EP was demoed. Tomas handles all the business aspects of Mercenario and the artistic visuals of the band.
We already discussed some of your musical drivers, but I am also curious what else is behind Mercenario. What made you choose this band name and what were the main inspirations for the songs and overall thematic?
The original idea behind Mercenario was to do something inspired by Bolt Thrower. My thought on that was there is already Bolt Thrower 2: Frozen Soul. I like Bolt Thrower but nowhere near enough to center my musical ambitions around them. I want to write what I feel and experience. I have more to offer than a rip off project. The subject matter of Mercenario is war based with potential underlying themes. Tomas would have to answer that question.
Usually bands start out with a demo or EP as a run up or appetizer for a full-length record. An obvious question, of course, is whether you are already working on the next Mercenario release. What is there to expect from the band this year? Will the new material be any different from ‘Tormented Souls’?
I am currently finishing the writing and demoing of songs for the full length that we hope to release later in 2025. The full length is going to be much darker and with a bigger production. The songs this time around are written with the guttural style of vocals Tomas used on Tormented Souls. Expect a very dark, evil, and violent record as if it was recorded in the early 90’s.
I love tapes a lot, but my format of preference is and always will be vinyl. Are you also planning to have ‘Tormented Souls’ released on vinyl at some point?
I am a vinyl junkie and would never say no to Tormented Souls getting the vinyl treatment. However, if that was to happen I would want to remix and remaster Tormented Souls for a vinyl edition.
We’ve already discussed what’s in the pipeline for Mercenario, but you are also in a few other bands and projects like Terror By Night, The Black Temple and Apocalypse Devastator 666. Is there anything coming up from your other bands that we can look forward to?
Terror By Night is a project with Sean ‘Xaphan” Peters from Summon/Masochist/ Wastelander. We have a full length being released by Dystopian Dogs this Spring.
Apocalypse Devastator 666 just released The Sixth Bell of Armageddon digitally. I’m looking to get that pressed as a 7 inch.
The Black Temple is extremely busy this year with shows and some fest appearances as well as the release of our first full length “Aura of Fire” this summer. We also released our EP Rise of the Serpents last November. www.theblacktemple666.com
That was about it, thanks a lot Erik. To close off this short introduction, I’m leaving the last words to you… Hails to the WolfKult and thank you for the questions. The Legion of Mercenario Shall Rise!! 666
