Cry Mercy

ORIGINS: South-West Sydney, NSW

GENRE: Heavy Metal

YEARS ACTIVE: 1989-1996

 

MEMBERS:

• Walter Harnisch - Vocals, Guitar
• Dean Jackson - Guitar (1995)
  
• Fernando Harnisch - Bass (1989-1992)
• Oscar Reholledo - Bass (1993-1996)
  
• Peter Wood - Guitar (1989-1992)
  
• Matthew Halse - Guitar (1992-1994)
  
• Tim Pritchard - Drums (1989-1992)
• Ian Dryland - Drums (1993-1996)
  

RELEASES: 

• Demo (1991)

• Self-Titled (1996)
• 1. What Am I Doing Wrong
• 2. D.A.M. (Don't Ask Me)
• 3. El Tiempo Gasto (Wasting My Time)
• 4. Girl's No Good
• 5. Fine Kind of Living
• 6. Time to Go
• 7. Why
• 8. Muy Ocupado Riendome (Too Busy Laughing)
• 9. The Fat Lady Has Sung
• 10. Shut Up and Listen

2022 Remastered re-issue of album

 

SUMMARY: Initially called 'Sacrament', the band formed after meeting through church and were soon playing to large crowds in the Christian rock scene. A lineup shuffle in c.1992 saw Walter Harnisch become the only continuing member. By 1995, the band had signed with Steve Rowe's Mortification label and they released their album before breaking up in 1996.

 

SHOWS: 

• East Hills Boys School Hall, Panania - unknown date, 1990 (as Sacrament)
• Black Stump '93 Festival - 23rd October, 1993
• The Voice Christmas Party - 10th October, 1993

ORAL HISTORY:

TIMMO: Immediately after leaving school in '88 I met this shredder at church youth group who could solo all day but never actually jam or be in a band. We hit it off and went and studied sound engineering together. He was South American and introduced me to these two brothers, Walter and Fernando Harniche, and they knew this killer guitarist who was 10 years older than me, named Peter Wood. They were older guys who I thought were cool and I was gagging to get in a band. We all started jamming at Party Pig Studios in Girraween and next thing we were headlining the big top at Christian rock festivals. 

Timmo Pritchard (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

TIMMO: We did some demos at Damien Gerard studios but back then to record anything properly was so expensive. The proposition of self-funding anything was a big deal. We also did a string of shows at The Electric Ballroom, which was the Ermington Hotel. We supported Frozen Doberman.

Timmo Pritchard (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

RELATED BANDS: Shaman's Ride, Spendthrift, Mother Mars, Robot God, Warrior, Lightbearer, Sacred Rock, Food Duty, Free Hours on End