Misery Signals Album: “Controller”

This is the best cd I own. My words cannot accurately describe just how magnificent this album is. Simply put, you NEED to hear this for yourself.

I realize that calling this the "best cd I own" in such a short time might seem slightly unrealistic. However, in the 9 hours I have owned this album, I have not stopped listening to it. I discover new things every time around. The album is brutal (very brutal), heavy, melodic, and stunningly beautiful, from start to finish. I even showed a few songs to my dad (a die hard anti-metal, old school blues/jazzer). His jaw dropped.

Another of my favorite aspects of this album is the sound quality. Everything sounds extremely clear and LOUD, not overproduced. I expected this from the very beginning, knowing that the genius Devin Townsend would be producing and mixing the album.

Misery Signals truly outdid themselves on this album and proved to everyone that scenes, and genres are overrated. In the end, the music had the final say.

Beautiful and brutal. This album is full of complex rhythms, melodies that will melt your heart and riffs that will melt your face off. I have listened to this album from start to finish on a number of occasions and it always hits the spot. If you're a fan of having every hair on your body stand on end, this album will do that and more. The only thing I don't like about this album is that there has not yet been a followup.

Misery Signals delivers beautifully once again on their new release "Controller" Combining there signature use of melody through out the otherwise pummeling onslaught, the band manages to batter and abuse the listener, while tossing enough melody through the incredible guitarists that truly does, and has always separated the band from similar acts.

The blistering opener "Nothing" doesnt waste any time on starting the album off heavy. Early in the track the listener is teased with a sense of melody before being pummeling with a blistering breakdown. The ending chant "I'd give anything to return to nothing" finishes the track off. "Weight of The World" keeps the record moving, a faster shorter track. A slight decline from the opener but the 3rd track "Labyrinthine" shows the band in true writing form with catchy hooks, and a convincing chorus. Tracks like "Parallels" and "Set In Motion" maintain the intensity, while "Ebb And Flow" flaunts its melody through out the track, even implementing clean vocals sung by Karl. A Definite highlight, the track may take getting used to for some older Misery Signals fans. Towards the end the track "Reset" finishes off the album well incorporating all that has worked throughout and finishing the album off strong.

The production is strong and crisp. Those who may have enjoyed a more raw sound found in earlier releases may find this displeasing. However, Karl's vocals are relentlessly recorded, and along with his great Annunciation we are able to understand much or all of what he screams. The drumming in misery signals has always been overlooked. Branden Morgon has always been fantastic, and shines bright and loud. The guitar playing as always is phenomenal. These musicians are incredible. In my opinion the guitar work is more or less what makes Misery Signals who they are. No two other guitar players can so easily and naturally pummel the listener while soothing with some of the most beautiful melody's I've ever heard.

Misery Signals-Controller 5/5

The latest offering from Misery Signals has blown me away. For over a month now. I can't stop listening to this album! The technicality of their music is awe-inspiring, and the new singer adds a nice touch to the band. (Funny that they found him on Myspace.) I'm a huge fan of these guys, and their latest CD does not disappoint in the least! I would say this is an improvement over Mirrors, which was good in its own right but didn't have the same feel that this CD does. A tip: buy the CD version, not the .mp3 files from amazon. This band is far too advanced musically to submit to the loss-y nature of .mp3 files. Too much is lost; I've ripped the songs in both .mp3 and in lossless formats and the lossless formats sound significantly better than the .mp3 files.

Update: Really, you need to buy this CD. It's still a staple in my car and .mp3 player, and it's September of 2009. Support these guys; they represent all that is good about the metalcore genre.

After seeing them open for BTBAM and Norma Jean, and after hearing Mirrors, I expected really good stuff ahead for MS. So without much hesitation, I purchased Controller.

First of all, it feels less attached to the metalcore scene than Mirrors did, both in songwriting and in production (and that's a good thing for these guys). The production is perfect for the music. Karl's growl is thickly layered, giving a more atmospheric feel than the typical over-the-top screams and shouts in Mirrors. Every bit of the technical performance is there, and they still manage to have the music change direction constantly without using breakdowns as a crutch in any way, something Misery Signals has done well at. Highlights are 'Weight of the World' and 'A Certain Death', very memorable, grinding riffs and quicker paced tempos than they typically work in.

I still think they can grow in their variations in the devices they use in their songs. The constant technicality is impressive but can grow monotonous - even BTBAM, with all the ridiculous riffage in their songs, employ dynamics and work in simple parts more often than MS. Nevertheless, Controller is a good step forward for them and is sure to gain them more listeners.