Mercy Rule is a Heavy Metal band from Michigan that saw its conception back in the mid-eighties. As teenagers still in High School, the members of the band originally went by the name 'Black Ace'. The group's biggest claim to fame was winning the Wayne Michigan, Battle of the Bands in 1981 where they stole the title from another local Hard Rock band called 'Joker'. Not long after their Battle of The Bands victory, members - George, Rich, John, and Aaron all became Christians. They then cut all the songs from their track-list with bad lyrics and began to play Rush inspired arrangements. With the group now moving in a new direction, they changed their name to 'The Return' and added Bruce to their line-up. Bruce took the group to see other Christian Rock bands from the 70's Jesus movement. Bruce proptly shared with the group about his vision for the band playing a new "Rock Opera" sound. It was at this time in '82 that they decided to change their moniker to 'Aziz'. Over the next few years, the band was found struggling to change & develop their sound. Then in 1985 the group took a road trip to see Stryper in concert on their pre-Soldiers Under Command Tour in Canada. After watching Stryper perform, they were inspired, and 'Aziz' began to completely transform their sound and hair style. These new changes led the group to another name change where they chose their current moniker 'Mercy Rule'.
In 1987 Mercy Rule entered the studio and recorded a 4-track self-titled demo on cassette format. Their demo was recorded and mixed at Talent Live Studios in Canton, Michigan. The track list for their demo included 1.Don'tcha Know 2.Success 3.There Is Love 4.Cities Are Burning. In 1988 Mercy Rule's track-4 "Cities Are Burning" found its way onto the 'Underground Metal' various compilation album on Regency Records.
In 1987 Mercy Rule entered the studio and recorded a 4-track self-titled demo on cassette format. Their demo was recorded and mixed at Talent Live Studios in Canton, Michigan. The track list for their demo included 1.Don'tcha Know 2.Success 3.There Is Love 4.Cities Are Burning. In 1988 Mercy Rule's track-4 "Cities Are Burning" found its way onto the 'Underground Metal' various compilation album on Regency Records.
In 1989 Mercy Rule released their debut full-length album smartly titled 'Overruled' on R.E.X. Music. Thirty-four years after the release of this classic, the album was discovered by Roxx Records. In 2023 'Overruled' was Remastered & Expanded by Roxx Records who has now included some of the band's early demo recordings. In order to achieve their vision, Roxx Records brought on Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound who helped breathe life back into this ol' classic by Mercy Rule. This reissue features a new layout and design along with some slight alterations to the original cover art by Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal Graphics.
Overruled has a 80's era Heavy Metal sound that is sure to please fans of Classic Metal music. Listening to this album, it's hard not to recognize the Stryper influences throughout the record. Frontman-Aaron Byrnes has a unique vocal style yet often draws comparisons to Michael Sweet(Stryper).
The track-list for this Remastered & Expanded edition of 'Overruled' includes 1.You Lied To Me 2.Cecilia
3.Real Love 4.Lonely Heart 5.Don't Cha Know 6.Black and White 7.Prodigal 8.If You Only Knew 9.There's a Love
10.Stand Up On The Rock 11.Cities Are Burning (Bonus Track from Underground Metal) 12.Cities Are Burning (demo Bonus Track) 13.You Lied To Me (demo Bonus Track) 14.Cecilia (demo Bonus Track) 15.Lonely Heart (demo Bonus Track).
3.Real Love 4.Lonely Heart 5.Don't Cha Know 6.Black and White 7.Prodigal 8.If You Only Knew 9.There's a Love
10.Stand Up On The Rock 11.Cities Are Burning (Bonus Track from Underground Metal) 12.Cities Are Burning (demo Bonus Track) 13.You Lied To Me (demo Bonus Track) 14.Cecilia (demo Bonus Track) 15.Lonely Heart (demo Bonus Track).
Aaron Byrnes and George Gavazza light things up from track to track with plenty of energetic guitar licks. Aaron handles lead guitars while George manages rhythm guitars for the band. This duo team is very capable with both playing their parts in making this a worthwhile project worthy of checking out.
Lyrics are Christ centered and evangelical as one can see in the following excerpts:
"You Lied To Me"
Lies and deceptions
Blinding directions
Twisting the truth
That leads to life
But now I know
You lied to me
You lied to me
You lied to me
You lied to me
Death cannot hold me down
Lies cannot turn me around
The chains are broken now
I know the living way
I'm telling all my friends
Of this victorious end
The Savior calls today
"Cecilia"
You searched for love
in all the empty spaces
in all the wrong places
What did you find?
I gave you my life
I made no compromise
a pure sacrifice
To show you my love
"Real Love"
Love is this
he came and died for you on a cross.
He shed his blood.
so you wouldn't be one of the lost
And if you would just ask him
open up, and he'll give
you the love you need tonight
Then he'll give you his love
Jesus will give you all
the love you need
Then he'll give you his love
a love that's true
He died for you can't you see
"There's A Love"
There's a man
Came down from above
Wrapped us in
His forgiving love
He gave his life to pay the way
He said "Listen to my voice
I pray you'll make the choice"
My heart is crying to you
When will you answer
There is a love ever more than true
"Stand Up On The Rock"
Robed in white, holes in his hands
He came to lead us to the promised land
Believe, receive he is the truth
Stop fooling around looking for proof
He calls your name, he loves you today
Don't make excuses, no time to delay
Lies and deceptions
Blinding directions
Twisting the truth
That leads to life
But now I know
You lied to me
You lied to me
You lied to me
You lied to me
Death cannot hold me down
Lies cannot turn me around
The chains are broken now
I know the living way
I'm telling all my friends
Of this victorious end
The Savior calls today
"Cecilia"
You searched for love
in all the empty spaces
in all the wrong places
What did you find?
I gave you my life
I made no compromise
a pure sacrifice
To show you my love
"Real Love"
Love is this
he came and died for you on a cross.
He shed his blood.
so you wouldn't be one of the lost
And if you would just ask him
open up, and he'll give
you the love you need tonight
Then he'll give you his love
Jesus will give you all
the love you need
Then he'll give you his love
a love that's true
He died for you can't you see
"There's A Love"
There's a man
Came down from above
Wrapped us in
His forgiving love
He gave his life to pay the way
He said "Listen to my voice
I pray you'll make the choice"
My heart is crying to you
When will you answer
There is a love ever more than true
"Stand Up On The Rock"
Robed in white, holes in his hands
He came to lead us to the promised land
Believe, receive he is the truth
Stop fooling around looking for proof
He calls your name, he loves you today
Don't make excuses, no time to delay
Mercy Rule is one of those rare obscure bands that went under the radar for most fans of Christian Metal music. With the remaster & reissue of this long-lost release, 80's era fans will now be able to add some solid Metal to their collections. Help support Roxx Records and Christian Metal music by picking up your copy of 'Overruled' today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Aaron Byrnes - Vocals, Guitars
George Favazza - Rhythm Guitars, Additional Vocals
Bruce Tordrup - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Rich Favazza - Drums, Backing Vocals
Aaron Byrnes - Vocals, Guitars
George Favazza - Rhythm Guitars, Additional Vocals
Bruce Tordrup - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Rich Favazza - Drums, Backing Vocals