Body Count - Merciless: Album Review – At The Barrier (2024)

Body Count return with another slab of politically charged heavy metal. 30 plus years in and the band sound as pissed off as ever.

Released: 22nd November 2024

Label: Century Media

Format: CD / Vinyl / Digital

MERCILESS

When we caught Body Count live, earlier in 2024, they demonstrated just how iconic and vital they are (our review here). Merciless sees the group in imperious form; as pissed off and angry as ever.

The artwork in itself gives an impression of what to expect. Merciless opens with a torturous piece. An unknown character discusses the pleasure they derive from pain whilst conducting an interrogation. Vincent Price’s bass guitar rumbles as the album comes to life. The title track follows with a brisk drum beat being added to by a crushing guitar riff reminiscent of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs. “I only got one life to live, I got no more fucks to give,” exclaims Ice T.

An aspect of Body Count’s work is that of the special guests they use; especially vocally. The Purge has Cannibal Corpse’s George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fischer adding a typically brutal verse to a sing inspired by the hit movie series. When Cropsegrinder hits in the centre of the track, it is unmistakably him and elevates the sheer savageness of the song. Around the verses are some seriously brilliant shreddy guitar solos reminiscent of Slayer.

PSYCHOPATH

Psychopath was one of the early previews we got of Merciless. Featuring Joe Bad of Fit For An Autopsy, his harsh vocals again increases the ante in the track. The chanted style vocals of ‘Psychopath’ are chilling.

Fuck What You Heard sees Ice T ruminating on politics and politicians and whether they would be Bloods or Crips (Bloodpublicans and Democrips). The despairing vocal talks of people being jailed for minimal offences when larger offences go unpunished, and laments the division that politics causes. It is certainly a pertinent message that is relatable, even if you’re not from LA. Division is sadly something that too many people experience.

Another special guest rears its head on Live Forever with former Killswitch Engage man Howard Jones adding his talents to the track. “I will never die!” shouts Ice T as the song comes to its end.

DO OR DIE

Do Or Die is one of the best tracks on Merciless. Unlike Fuck What You Heard, Do Or Die is one that this writer cannot fully relate to. Ice T’s eloquence in telling tales of the street and carrying a gun forms the backdrop of the song. Musically, the song is infectious. The chorus hook is emphatic and will no doubt be a strong live favourite. “I’m not pro-gun,” explains Ice, “I’m pro staying alive.” It is hard to argue. This is a hard track.

When 2024 came around, I doubt anyone would have had a Body Count / David Gilmour collaboration on their bingo card. However, amongst the madness of the year, 2024 has thrown us this incredible curveball. David Gilmour basically solos for the duration of Comfortably Numb whilst Ice T rewrites the lyrics of the Pink Floyd classic. It became a live favourite on the recent tour, and to see Gilmour add his unique and incomparable talents to the song is incredible.

“Body Count’s version of ‘Comfortably Numb’ is quite radical, but the words really struck me. It astonishes me that a tune I wrote almost 50 years ago is back with this great new approach. They’ve made it relevant again.

The initial contact fromIce-Twas for permission to use the song, but I thought I might offer to play on it as well. I like the new lyrics, they’re talking about the world we’re living in now, which is quite scary.Ice-TandBody Count played in London recently, sadly I couldn’t make it, but if another opportunity came up to play with them, I’d jump at it.”

David Gilmour on Body Count’s rendition of Comfortably Numb.

WORLD WAR

Comfortably Numb acts as a sonic breather. Whilst still being heavy, it offers a little respite from the constant flurries of riffs. Lying Motherfuka heads back to the abrasiveness. The guitars and bass pummel and when the guitar solo sparks start to fly, it sets the scene for a closing run of bombastic songs.

Drug Lords sees Max Cavalera make another appearance on a Body Count album. At just over two and a half minutes, the track is bludgeoning. Musically, this harks back to the OG punk bands that Body Count have always cited as references. It is fast and uncomprimising.

World War opens with a news report commenting on an ‘the utterly dangerous words of an old man.’ Make of that sentiment what you wish. No prizes for guessing where thoughts are here. The world is teetering on the precipice of destruction in many ways. Fighting is rife and World War takes that for its’ inspiration.

Merciless closes out with Mic Contract. Ice T finds the cut and goes in on more traditional rap delivery. It is another hefty slab of music to end the record. Merciless is a consistent record that feels full of vitality and life. Body Count are clearly in a good place right now; they are red hot on stage and delivering on record. Their anti-racism message has never been more worthy and their music is a rare kind that gets the blood pumping. When they return to our shores, be sure to catch their relentless show. You will not be disappointed.

Check out the savage new video for the title track. This is NSFW…you have been warned!

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