Description
Starvation Army – Mercenary Position – Vinyl Record
Mercenary Position by Starvation Army is a raw, emotionally charged punk album that captures the spirit of early ’90s underground alternative rock with a sharp edge and unrelenting energy. Originally released around 1991 and later reissued alongside the band’s Execution Style in a full-length compilation, the album offers a visceral listening experience that blends aggressive instrumentation with surprisingly melodic undercurrents. While grounded in punk and hardcore traditions, Mercenary Position sets itself apart through its focus on structure and emotional nuance, rather than relying solely on speed or political fury. The tracks—such as “Heroes Never Dream of This,” “The Brat,” “Lipstick and Razorblades,” and “Middleman”—touch on themes of alienation, shame, disillusionment, and inner conflict, all delivered through tense vocals, jagged guitar lines, and punchy rhythms that keep the tension high throughout.
What’s striking about the album is its balance between unfiltered aggression and moments of restraint, with shifts in tempo and tone that suggest deeper emotional or conceptual intent beneath the surface noise. The production is intentionally rough-edged, favoring gritty textures over polish, yet it never feels sloppy. Instead, there’s a purposeful urgency to every track, as if each song is trying to wrestle something intangible into focus. While Mercenary Position didn’t reach mainstream audiences, it has retained a cult following among fans of 1990s punk and alternative, especially those drawn to music that refuses to compromise its raw honesty. Taken as a whole—especially when paired with Execution Style in the reissue—it stands as a vivid snapshot of a band navigating the tension between melody and menace, and between emotional vulnerability and sonic force. It’s a hidden gem in the broader punk and alternative landscape of its era, well worth rediscovering.
Rave Records
Brand new but sleeve has shop wear on cover and spine
Track Listing
Sit right down
Ticket to oblivion
One inch at a time
See thru soul
Lose the planet
Master plan
Flag down
The chisel
You didn’t
Asphalt
Miles (white) Underthings
