The Flagstaff, AZ quartet Mercy Fall coalesced in the early 2000s when its four members discovered a mutual passion for mid-'90s alternative rock outfits such as Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, even though their separate listening habits stretched across jazz, folk, and hardcore. Vocalist Nate Stone, guitarist Jeff Lusby, bassist Kieran Smiley, and drummer Ethan Rea spent the next two years refining a hard-rock approach rooted in heart, inspiration, and emotional depth. Their demo recordings secured a contract with Atlantic Records, leading the band to devote spring 2005 to tracking their debut full-length, the mystic album For the Taken, alongside producer Howard Benson (P.O.D., My Chemical Romance). The record appeared in May 2006, after which the group hit the road with supporting acts including Shinedown, Trapt, and Seether.
