There is not a huge amount of interesting background facts I can provide about Munster based German band Misery Speaks. This is their third album in just four years and the group have shared the stage with the likes of Napalm Death, Vader, Heaven Shall Burn and Caliban amongst others. ‘Disciples Of Doom’ is an album which sits on the right side of the death metal fence rather than falling on the metalcore side, which is probably the reason I quite like it. Having said that it is nothing that has blown me away; “dependable,” is probably the best descriptive word I could lay upon it.
After an obligatory instrumental intro builds up expectation and tension the group are quick to trail blaze away into ‘Burning Path.’ Hoary vocals, a groove that has a good old hint of Entombed about it and an almost Southern coating about the swaggering guitars has you thinking a bit of Pantera here. Solos flail around as the track breaths and this is well played stuff. Picking up the pace ‘End Up In Smoke’ takes me back to Entombed with a dash of bands such as One Man Army And The Undead Quartet. I could easily spend the whole of this review mentioning other groups and if that gives you the idea that this is pretty formulaic and nothing totally original you would be spot on. Still I cannot fault the enthusiasm, the galloping melody and the head bang factor to this number at all and if I caught the band live they would certainly get my attention.
Most of the songs here are fairly lengthy though with no problems hitting the six minute mark and one even developing over eight. ‘A Road Less Travelled’ for example is one that goes for the mid-pace pummel and to be honest this album lacks in a certain spontaneity and could do with being a bit more willing to go for the throat at times. The title track again relies on the ‘doom’ laden side of things too much when personally I wish it would go for the death. There is a real Southern twang deep frying that longest track ‘Black Garden’ and the band virtually veer into stoner territories. Heavy with testosterone, the vocals however show you that this is not going to be a mellow ride and the song chugs on with a touch of Down about it and a nice instrumental mid section with some hefty drum rolls. ‘Fragile’ has one of those At The Gates titles and a good dose of them musically along with Dark Tranquillity sounding keyboards. This is a highlight catching the group at a more aggressive and venomous form as is the next number ‘The Swarm’ (hmm why does that title ring a bell)? All in all this is an album that’s not bad at all, a bit late perhaps by 10-15 years or so but an enjoyable listen. Love the artwork too.
http://www.miseryspeaks.com
http://www.myspace.com/miseryspeaks
