So SULPHUR AND MERCURY are a four man heavy metal band from Italy, they are actually fairly new to the heavy metal scene as they only formed back in 2021, so on vocals is JASON NETHERTON, who has come from bands including ASPHALT GRAVES and MISERY INDEX. Lead guitar parts are being played by FRANCESCO CONTE who also has been in bands including D-FORM, DESECRATION and NERO OMEGA to name a few, bass guitar is being taken on MARCO MASTROBUONO who has also experience playing with BUFFALO GRILLZ, CAMERA OBSCURA TWO and COFFIN BIRTH all included in a long list of bands. Their drummer is none other than DARIO CASABONA like the others has experience from GRISEN and GRIEFBRINGER so that is the lineup as it stands.

The band as they are pretty new, have only released two singles off their debut EP ALCHEMIA PROPHETICA, so let’s not stand on ceremony for much longer. Their debut album begins with “Presagio Del Maligno (Introduzione)” as this is no more than a minute long intro with synth sound effects and an organ plus some percussive elements also in there to create a sort of sci-fi or fantasy theme. However we can’t hold onto this for too long as the second track “Invoke The Adversary (Pugnali Di Megiddo)” comes in straight away after the first track ends, with the ringing of a bell tone from drums as the rest of the band follow suit. As there is a stirring of haunting sounds of guitars, drums and vocals, also as the vocals go from clean to more filthy evil tone.

The organ sound from the first track can also be heard in the background as we can hear some solo parts from drums and lead guitar also, as the vocals give both guitar, bass and drums some space to elevate in their performance. As we come to the prolonged guitar sound, we head into the next track which is “Lightless Slumber”, drums rolling around the audio spectrum then they steady themselves for when guitars and vocals are in together. An edge of your seat thriller section where victorious themes come from guitar and vocals, the note picking of guitar also is insanely good, showing their true talent here. The tempo varies from one section to another, but drums makes them one hell of a belter and pumping those double kicks to add lower thumps to the overall tone of this track, so we can go on now to the next track which is “Venereal Levitation (Voci dall’Aria)”.

This fourth track with an organ sound to open and then guitar bending those strings and producing fascinating riffs of glory, vocals come in very soon after this, as the ensemble of the whole band is in full swing. So much excitement and improvisation, there is definitely an element of psychedelic rock and heavy metal influences in this band, in this track specifically, the lead guitar really excels itself. More double kicks and bass guitar comes in afterwards and then some soloistic stockings from drums also, before vocal delivery on cue with grunts or thick vocal barking. “Entombed In Necrodust” is up next with drums and organ sound coming in simultaneously, guitar playing a small part but then they turn the volume up after this.

Drums provide more stunning fills to give the track more depth and bite as this band has been able to provide so much creativity as well as talent also. Even the screamer vocal lines makes it complete with this track, guitar also ascends with very high end note picking with reverb and small hint of distortion too. The tempo does slow down at times when drums take the time to build a crescendo before the peak of guitar reaches new heights with pitch notation, vocals have a great attitude and vibe, no messing around here. So onwards into the final track of this debut EP, “Heads Will Roll” has a such a cool and awesome title, really sends out a clear message now so (lol), anyway back to the matter in hand, the last track fires into a canon full of everything this band has left in the fuel tank so to speak.

This track has everything; blistering drums, sensational guitar riffs and vocal anthems like no other really, that’s me being totally honest. The tempo slows down in the second minute of this track, but builds up again for more stampeding and epic heavy metal madness that will blow you away, the drums give such an umph for the final say, as guitar also does the same and the album comes to a final closure. So that’s it, I can say these heavy metal fanatics from Italy will rock your socks off and may give you the urge to headbang wildly hopefully. So until this band has more music, they have been remarkable to review and I look forward to hearing from them, so look out for SULPHUR AND MERCURY, they are a class act, I kid you not.