Review: “Infinite Loss” by Without Mercy

“There was no comfort, no distance, and no way to step away. That isolation mattered. It stripped everything down to what was essential. This record exists because we chose to be uncomfortable, to argue honestly and to stay in the room until it felt right” ~ DJ Temple, guitars

After two decades of bloodshed Canadian Extreme Groove Metal act Without Mercy could be forgiven for resting on their laurels, wearing the crown of thorns and re-writing their own history. Instead vocalist Alex Friis, drummer Matt Helie, bassist Ryan Loewen and guitarist DJ Temple chose to take the path less travelled with EP “Infinite Loss”, their desire to create three crushing tracks that stand as statement pieces in their own right. Produced, mixed and mastered by John Douglass (Alluvial, Nile, Nekrogoblikon) the tracks were recorded over a period of ten days during which the band were completely isolated from the world as they fully committed to the process.

The ends of sanity begin to fray with the knowledge that there is no escape from the nameless hunter. As all hope fades to black, the controlled aggression and delicious grooves of title track “Infinite Loss” gradually ramp up in their intensity, creating a sense of slow suffocation before the riffs subside to allow for a technical solo of the highest order from DJ Temple. A powerful statement piece that flows in wave like patterns through dark moods, the sonic weight of the music conveys the message without the need for the harsh vocals from Alex Friis. That’s not to say his words are superfluous; on the contrary, they’re the fuel for the fire as the world burns.

Shifting like the desert sands of the Sahara as the cold winds blow “The Saint” enters the fray as the push that makes you move, Technical Death Metal riffs painting intricate patterns on the minds eye as Friis roars in perpetual agony. Who could have predicted the transcending into an ambient, Jazz inspired moment of melody? Could that same person have predicted the flames rising with power and poise as the song breaks back with Born Of Osiris like energy? A dynamic piece that is as bold as it is brave, this one serves as a reminder of what is possible when convention is not followed.

Exploring themes of eyes, mirrors, souls and translation “Glass” is a reflection on perception and the distortion that occurs between what is seen and what is understood. Another violently turbulent sonic abrasion of buzz saw guitars and pummelling percussion, it finds Friis at his fiercest as the spine juddering riffs inflict their damage. His vocals verge on skull splitting at points, the sheer force of thoughts enough to create a million sharp objects with which to shred flesh from bone [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Infinite Loss
2. The Saint
3. Glass

“Infinite Loss” by Without Mercy is out 8th May 2026