:: Misery - On Demon Wings

Misery

Seven years since their last release, and a year after it was originally completed, Brisbane-based death metal act Misery have at last released their final album ‘On Demon Wings’. In the intervening years, Misery has since parted ways with guitarist Laszlo Kananghinis, leaving the line-up as vocalist/bassist Damon Robinson, drummer Anthony Dwyer, and newcomer guitarist Scott Edgar. But there needn’t be any concerns that Misery’s trimming down to a trio has had any effect on their sound, because Misery still put forth a formidable sound on their last recording, which is more than evident on the opening track ‘Priest’. Misery’s familiar doom laced brand of crushing death metal is as prevalent as ever, with Edgar proving he’s more than capable of providing enough guitars to make up the lack of numbers. Robinson is as impressive as ever with his demonic growling presence and the low rumble of his bass, while Dwyer adds plenty of variety with his work behind the kit.

The title track ‘On Demon Wings’ and ‘Butchered’ are mammoth lumbering tracks that rely heavily on slower doom like tempos executed within the death metal format, while ‘The Black Arts’, ‘Burning Hatred’ and ‘In Tongues’ represents the other end of the Misery repertoire with their sheer speed. Elsewhere, the band mix up the tempos and keep things interesting on tracks such as the riff heavy ‘Twisting The Knife’ and the short ‘Blood Of Ancients’, while a distinct groove and melodic feel is felt in the mid-paced ‘Ill Of The Dead’, ‘Disciples Of War’ and ‘And Then They Die’.

And more than sixteen years on, Misery has consistently produced some of the best death metal to emerge from the Australian metal scene. While Misery will be sorely missed, ‘On Demon Wings’ is a more than befitting epitaph for the band’s achievements.