Misery Index have carved their own niche, emerging from the shadows of Dying Fetus (and let’s be honest – sounding a fair bit like them) especially over the course of their last few albums – their previous two records (Heirs To Thievery and Traitors) were two of the finest death / grind records out at the time packed full of grindcore, old school death metal riffs, and a touch of melodeath, but the band had & have their own identity.
‘The Killing Gods’ is the bands 5th album and is the sound of Misery Index further spreading their wings and is an absolute fucking belter. The grindcore elements have been toned down a bit and the guitar work is even more in your face and memorable with a bit more melody and with some hardcore groove weaving it’s way into the music too on tracks like ‘Conjuring The Cull’. The album starts with a moody instrumental ‘Urfaust’ & I was thinking “hang on a tic” but before I could check I’d selected the right album we’re plunging head first into the maelstrom of ‘The Calling’ and all is right in the world. Heavy as fuck with some insane drumming from Adam Jarvis, this is the Misery Index we know, love and want! This is pure class all the way with some progressive elements creeping into the band’s sound too with the first five tracks being part of a concept /collective song called ‘Faust’. But don’t worry, ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ this ain’t!
New boy Darin Morris (replacing John ‘Sparky’ Voyles on guitar) slots straight in and does a great job as does drummer, Adam Jarvis as mentioned before. This bloke is a total machine and it’s with good reason that Pig Destroyer poached him for their last album (Scott Hull is responsible for the great production job on this album too). Jason Netherton puts in a vicious vocal performance as usual, definitely one of the most instantly recognisable death metal vocalists out there today, snarly, savage and punky.
All in this is yet another essential death metal album release for 2014 and, should not be overlooked. Marky’s top tip – get the digipak with the Ministry cover bonus track on it!
(8.5/10 Mark Eve)
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