The Black Map #258: Mercury’s Well from Reading! (Summer Bash V Edition)

We’d like to submit Exhibit A to the court for review, the poster at the end of this article that gives you the bare essentials about Summer Bash V. Saturday 22nd July will see Reading Progressive Death Metal Kings Mercury’s Well bringing their friends to Reading Facebar for a one day home town throw down like no other. A Hawaiian themed beach party, no less, with an expanded line up in celebration of the fact that its the fifth anniversary of the annual event. They’re asking just £10 to allow you to see eleven bands take the stage over the duration, the cost of a takeaway, so do your ear drums a favour and feed your soul rather than your stomach. Here’s the line up in full…

Tape It Shut
One Last Day
Black Emerald
Hundred Year Old Man
Tribe Of Ghosts
Mercury’s Well
Treehouse
Perp Walk
Masquerader
Buds
Pteroglyph

So who the f*** are Mercury’s Well and why should they be a reason to invite your friends, family (alright not the mother in law) to Summer Bash? They’re the hosts with the most, a supremely talented trio of musicians who believe that variety is the spice of life while at the same time loving nothing more than to play some blisteringly dark Progressive Death Metal. Back in ancient times… well, 2015, they released a concept EP titled “The Way Of Ashes” which tells the story of a man who is transformed into a tree and wages war against the Sun, following the untimely death of his father. Despite astounding us with that work of inventive genius which had great promise, six years passed, dust settled and beards grew. We thought that they may never return, the great plague years stealing away another talent at the least appropriate time. But the holy trinity had other ideas, secretly plotting, scheming and waiting to hatch their evil plans on an unsuspecting World. Enter last summers magnum opus, their self titled debut album with a fresh version of fans favourite “Blood” alongside five incredible new cuts to savour. The truth is stranger than fiction and it takes time to write intelligent, well thought out music to match a vision. The result is something not only worth the weight but worth its weight in Gold. Nuance and intrigue await, so if you’ve not had the pleasure then we have to ask… what are you waiting for?

Want a ticket for Summer Bash V? You can find yours here