Misery are the locally undisputed masters of deathmetal. Formed in 1988, they've released 2 demos, 1 ep, 2 singles, and now 2 albums, of brutal, brooding, malevolent deathmetal. They've supported almost every major DM band thats ever toured Australia, and there was a rumour going round that Morbid Angel wanted to limit Misery's live set this time round, because they wore the crowds out too soon.
I've seen Misery a dozen times at least by now, and I still can't forget how Anthony Dwyer (drummer) was beating his kit so hard one night that he was PEELING one of his crash cymbals like an orange! A strip of metal an inch wide was wearing its way off the circumferance of the cymbal.
"Godspeak" starts the procedings in typical Misery fashion, a towering mid-paced (2 minute) affair, with a huge drum sound and ramming powerchords. "Act Of War" and "Plague Of Humanity" are up next, reaffirming the bands decision to keep bassist Damon on as vocalist as well. He does an awesome job, easily keeping-his-own with former vocalist, the demonic elf, Moises Contreras, but at the same time, with a much harder edge to his throat than the aforementioned.
Next up is one of the best death metal epics I have ever heard, the awesome "Dark Inspirations", a re-recorded version of the title track to an earlier 7" single. It glides effortlessly from a blackmetal-styled beat for the intro, to grinding deathmetal, to sludgey powerchords, and a melody that claws at your fucking brain like an rabid raven. "Morbid Dreams", from the "Come To Daddy" compilation has also been reworked, also to astounding effect.
"All That Is Evil" has a riff that David Vincent wishes he wrote. The Morbid Angel similarities do not end there. Misery have always been known to dabble in the slower gothic traits of Trey & Co (tm), especially on their last EP, "Insidious". "Remembrance" is another example. World class (does this term actually mean anything, anymore?) material, for sure.
The final track (unlisted) is the entire 39mins of the album, played in reverse. At first i thought my CD player was dying, but the reverbing crash cymbals gave it away. It's interesting nonetheless, as the music (played backwards) is quite coherent; better than 39 mins of silence I guess.
Misery really have outdone themselves with "Revel In Blasphemy". For me, this album has wholeheartedly rekindled my interests in death metal, and for any doubters, I challenge you to disagree. Its vile, horrible, dark, and morbid.
Contacts:
Misery
PO Box 520
Sunnybank Q 4109
Australia
Warhead Records
1B Smith Street
Parramatta NSW 2150
Australia
Voice: +61 2 9893 9840
Back to Index