Mercers are a new band for 2026, but a couple of their members already have a foothold within the metal/alternative scenes. Two ex-members of nu-metal band Fony take a new musical direction here, bringing a genuine intensity to their work, and a more aggressive approach hits with a genuine immediacy on their new single ‘Cleanse/Repeat’.

Opening with a crash of drums beneath a wall of feedback, the number isn’t shy in advertising more of a hardcore influence, and indeed, the opening verse shares a perfect blend of classic sounding hardcore punk, tinged with a metal-oriented guitar to bring a little extra weight. The way the lyrics are spat angrily against the chopping riffs and sharp edged rhythms offers something that sounds like a mix of Hatebreed and Rolo Tomassi, before the chorus turns everything on its head with a more melodic vocal flowing over a post nu-metal riff. This contrast gives the track a striking sound, but things don’t settle there, since the bridge back into the verse offers an even heavier hardcore breakdown, sharing a sound that suggests this still new band will sound like a genuine force within the live setting.

Moving back into the verse, the angry hardcore vocal returns, but an instrumental, percussive bridge brings a new twist to the complex arrangement, before a dual vocal fills several bars with a layered, almost rapped delivery and a middle eight turns its attentions to more of an art rock sound. It’s a busy arrangement, certainly, but providing some essential continuity – and acting as a musical glue – the melodic chorus does some heavy lifting as the track starts to pull to a close, and those who’ve already found any musical interest here will certainly start to love this broader melody after a couple of listens. For those hoping to experience something a little more old school, a brief burst of lead guitar fleshes out an angry coda, tipping the hat a little further in the direction of the musicians’ nu metal past.

Overall, ‘Cleanse/Repeat’ is a little challenging, but its huge sound and rather complex approach shows off a band who sound truly committed to their art. It certainly bodes very well for the rest of Mercers’ debut EP, ‘The Liminal Tapes’, due in July 2026.

Take a listen to ‘Cleanse/Repeat’ below.