The Virgos – Lord Have Mercy

Self-Released

It's been rare this year that I’ve heard the first moments of a newly released album and been instantly hooked, overwhelmed with a feeling of “I already KNOW this is going to be precisely my shit.” Luckily, such is the case with Lord Have Mercy, the second full-length album by Wilkes-Barre metal supercell The Virgos. Formed by Danni Crockett (Rosary Guild), Andy Saba (Harm’s Way / Nails), and Eli Gerrity (NIGHTFEAR), The Virgos play what I consider “perfect heavy music,” where it’s not easily classifiable into one single subgenre, but carries influence from many of them. On this record, you’ll find the passionate grunge of Soundgarden, the gothic doom of Paradise Lost, and the morose, romantic sludge of Crowbar. With all that said, I admittedly prefer the band’s self-proclaimed label of “glam slam.”

The guitar tones on the intro track “Devils In Command” are dialed in with perfect fuzz, transitioning excellently into the first proper song “Her Majesty,” which kicks in with uptempo rock and roll gusto. Saba’s vocals are unmistakably reminiscent of Crowbar’s Kirk Windstein, clearly performed as a tribute without distracting from the band’s own merits. Fans of any bands from the Colin & Taylor Young extended universe of bands should find plenty to love here, particularly with the more hardcore-leaning moments that pop up across the tracklist that put The Virgos in great company with Twitching Tongues or Holy Blade. Taylor Young also handles mixing duties on the entire LP, describing Lord Have Mercy as “a 36-minute adventure through heavy metal” on his Instagram page.

My personal favorite track is “Yes,” which I feel best blends all of the band’s influences together. I’m reminded of the stellar Neon Nightmare album Faded Dream from last year, which was Nate Garrett from Spirit Adrift’s love letter to bands like Danzig and Type O Negative. That same energy is carried through The Virgos’ eight-minute album centerpiece, “Iron Gauntlet / Velvet Glove,” a soundtrack for the Lord Have Mercy album artwork. “She Was In A Trance” also echoes Type O with a black metal twist in the chorus vocals. The album closes with “Babylon,” a live track that adds to the band’s mystique by not appearing anywhere else in their catalogue. 

Lord Have Mercy is a triumph in multiple heavy musical styles that I’m certain will continue the strong following it’s gained since its release last Friday. Fans of everything from melodic hardcore to goth rock to stoner metal will be able to find something to love here, as The Virgos have assembled one of the most standout aggressive albums of the year thus far. It’s a perfect transitional album from Summer to Autumn, as the pure rock and roll moments will still sound killer blasting out of rolled-down windows, and the darkest metal moments are primed for the cold seasons ahead. Lord have mercy, The Virgos fucking rule.