Mike Park Nielsen (1978, Aalborg) played drums in Mercenary until early 2010. Former bands include death grind acts Feticide (which also included Mircea from Mnemic on guitar) and Ferocity.



With Feticide Mike Park released the 4-track demo "Psychaos" in 1997 and another 4-track demo entitled "Organic God Syndrome" in 1999. Mike is also featured on Ferocity's "Immigrant Species" (2001, 4-track demo). In 2004 Century Media Records released Mercenary official debut album "11 Dreams". Reflecting on "Eleven Dreams", Mike Park Nielsen reveils:

"I´m proud to be a part of that album because I think that we achieved something absolutely unique. Great songs and great production."

Mike Park started playing drums around age sixteen. He never received any lessons. Mike names Mike Portnoy, Tim "Herb" Alexander and Brain as musical role models. More sources of inspiration are Carcass, Nevermore (especially Van Williams), Dream Theater, Primus, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Into Another, Sensefield, Toto, Dennis Chambers, Sting, Genesis "and a hell of alot more". Asked for what he has learned music-wise, Mike answers:

"In the last couple of years I have learned the art of restraining myself. When I was younger it was all about showing off.... play fastest and all that. But by listening to Van Williams I found out that things work out better by playing with the music instead of just being some individuel musician who played his own thing. I´ve also gotten a lot more discipline."

After a promotion tour for their debut album late 2004, Mercenary continued playing a 17 day European Tour with Brainstorm and At Vance in April-May 2005 and a gig at Wacken Open Air that same year.