[Cover photo credit to Simon Ward & Jeremy Saffer]

Kings of Mercia’s 2022 self-titled debut was heavy, but not metal. Now in 2024 they have released their sophomore album written and recorded throughout 2023, Battle Scars that builds on this new territory. The title track and official video are out now alongside the full release via Metal Blade.

Kings of Mercia features Jim Matheos on guitars, Steve Overland on vocals, Simon Phillips on drums, and Joey Vera on bass.

Matheos says:

I think it was a bit easier this time around because we’ve established a good working rhythm. I’ll send Steve at least a few songs every couple of months, and I try to keep them varied. This allows him to work on whichever ones he feels strongly about.

Overland comments:

What Jim sends me is the first draft of that song. So once he’s heard all the melodies and the harmonies I sing, he can chop it about and make it how he thinks it should be. He always sends me three or four different versions. He’ll say, ‘What do you think? Which do you like?’ Then we work it out between us and come up with the one we’re both happy with.