The “Misery Index” was an economic term coined by Arthur Okun, which compares inflation and unemployment in a nation’s economy. Christ knows what the UK’s current misery index is, (though I suspect it’s pretty high), but I do know that the band of the same name probably don’t consult official economic figures when writing their short, nasty, brutish grinding death metal tracks. On the balance of this short live album, they don’t contribute to my misery either, oddly enough.
For those of you not in the know, Misery Index are an American grinding death metal band with a pleasing old-school knack of writing short, blasting tracks that are as unpleasant and gnarled to the ear as they are direct and unapologetic. Falling somewhere between traditional American death metal and the fury of latter day Napalm Death, their ferocious attack was recorded during their co-headlining tour with Cannibal Corpse and Behemoth last year at Munich, and is presented here as a tasty morsel for loyal fans while they write and record their new studio album. Death metal live albums tend to be hit and miss affairs. Those bands that rely a little too much on studio trickery can sound flat and technically lacking in the live arena. Misery Index really aren’t that kind of band. This is a single minded crew that gets their heads down, and races for the finish line in a pleasingly focussed manner. So sure, fan favourite “Traitors” gets the sing-along treatment, (Or should that be roar along?), but this isn’t really a “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” type of album. This is pure, unadulterated, dirty, grimy grinding death metal in the same way that will please fans of the early Earache records studio output.
As with all good records, it’s a good place to start when listening to the band, offering tracks spread from their discography. I have to say that I wasn’t overly familiar with the band before I listened to the live album, knowing only really that they were founded by ex-Dying Fetus band members. On the strength of the material available on this live album, however, I intend to investigate their back catalogue further. This is a strong, infectious slab of live death metal that’s really the equal of any other extreme live album out there. Top stuff.
(8/10 Chris Davison)
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