Search - Misery Index :: Discordia

A death metal gem

A. Stutheit | Denver, CO USA | 05/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Relapse records (which has signed bands like Nile, Dying Fetus, Suffocation, Soilent Green, and Agoraphobic Nosebleed) is definitely an appropriate home for the critically acclaimed Misery Index. MI (who play grindcore influenced death metal) is equally as heavy as those bands, and equally as (or maybe even more) talented. Their sophomore full length, "Discordia," is a finely crafted, punishing, no frills metal assault with an articulate, bare bones production. The rhythms are mercilessly uncompromising, as new vocalist Jason Netherton barks over a massive barrage of extra sharp, cold, bludgeoning riffs and Adam Jarvis' complex, walloping drum patterns.



In an era where heavy music is dominated by metalcore, it's quite refreshing to hear a band like Misery Index. This record doesn't have one hint of melody, meaning it's devoid of clean vocals, audible breakdowns, acoustic interludes, or annoying, radio-ready choruses (in fact, are there any choruses at all?).



A brutal, surging, occasionally chugging guitar lead and thrashy, rapid fire drums begin the album's first song, "Unmarked Graves." Track three, "Outsourcing Jehovah," which has a punching, machine gun rhythm, is almost as heavy, and so are the cast iron, cascading riffs on "Breathing Pestilence." But "Sensory Deprivation," which might be the record's best song, is backed by a thunderous, crushing rhythm, searing guitars, pummeling drums, and even a mini guitar solo. Lastly, "Pandemican" is a short but sweet album closer which puts more scorching riffs atop a hailstorm of double bass drums.



Though most of "Discordia" is an uber-fast, 33-minute train wreck of blazing, dissonant metal, raw passion, and furious energy, a few songs (like the mostly instrumental title track) are more mid-tempo. But whether attempting to destroy your ear drums or allowing you a little room to breathe, it's probably impossible to find one weak moment on this entire disc.



Cutting to the chase, "Discordia" has about everything you could want in great death metal. It's definitely one of 2006's best in albums of this genre, and it's also one of the finest grindcore/grindcore-influenced metal albums of this millennium. Thus, this is a must listen for all extreme music fans, and come year's end, it should be on many metalheads' "best of" lists."

Grade A Deathgrind

Bill Lumbergh | Initech | 09/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great album. With influences from legendary bands like Napalm Death, Dying Fetus, and so forth, you'll enjoy this. There aren't any breakdowns or clean singing here (I'm not against it, it just needs a rest sometimes), nope, just head on technical brutal death metal the way it's best done! And with this band being signed onto a label like Relapse, you won't want to pass this up! The blastbeats are grand, and even though the band prefers to play fast in the speed of thrash and grindcore, you can hear a background solo in "Sensory Deprivation". Basically, this is not a band to be ignored if you love extreme death metal like Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Napalm Death, Pig Destroyer, Aborted, and so forth. Give "Discordia" a shot!"

A great Death Metal release! (4.5)

Logan Peterson | Wichita, Kansas | 07/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love these guys. This album truly is a jewel. The year of 2006 has so far seemed to be a great year for Death Metal releases.



Misery Index have an uncanny ability to keep the momemtum flowing in their songs in places where some Death Metal bands start losing it (most notably the originality area) and thats always a big plus in any Deathheads book! If you miss the days of blast beat heavy Death Metal and are tired of new and unoriginal Death Metal acts then this is for you.



If you like this album, then make sure you go pick up SKINLESS'S - TRAMPLE THE WEAK, HURDLE THE DEAD! Its even better than this!"