AFM Records [Release date : 02.08.24]
Looking like a reimagined Kiss in a Gothic horror movie, Mister Misery’s dress and music sense could not be more theatrical. Nor could it fit the music any better, and vice versa.
On III, they again mix and match all the distinctive elements of modern melodic metal… growling, gutteral vocals; vaguely operatic clean vocals, and (almost) symphonic metal choruses.
It doesn’t work on paper, but it sure works in the studio, and is more of a progression of the sound they were refining on last album, A Brighter Side Of Death.
Heavy Metal, as a genre, has increased its bandwith dramatically over the years. Here, the arrangements are as important as the songwriting.
Catchy choruses, suddenly spiralling up from the provocative lyrical imagery, or apparently emerging from behind a wall of thrashy guitars, keep the music fresh and interesting.
‘Root Of All Evil’, ‘Hand Of Death’ and ‘Doomsday Clock’ illustrate this best.
The switch and swap of vocals, intercut with choruses and hooks serve them well, and they don’t always aim for the epic. ‘Erszebet’s fairground keyboards and Lordi-like sense of amusement fits well with the more serious stuff. And ‘Eye Of The Storm’s hi speed bpms, red hot riffs and techno pop vocals could see this song circulating through European dance floors this summer.
The treatment of ‘Crooked Man’ is a blast. A lurching, horror story extension of the 18th century nursery rhyme seems unlikely territory. But it works. Half spoken, half sung, with a shadowy, underlying music hall ambience, you can see the kids in the audience running for the hills.
Twisting, turning melodies. Switching, swapping vocals. Driven by grinding, thrashing riffery. Closer, ‘Dark Legacy’ folds them all into one track in delivering a powerful finish. ***1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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