Disco de Misery Signals: “Mirrors”

As it's been mentioned by other reviewers, this is an amazing album. I don't even remember how I stumbled onto Misery Signals, but I'm very glad I did. The best way I can describe this band is to say that they mix hardcore vocals (without cheesy HC lyrics), complex heavy, yet melodic riffs, and pummeling DB drumming to produce a progressive, Hopesfall meets hardcore type sound. Actually, the slight similarity to old Hopesfall is what really attracted me. The best part about Misery Signals is that they cannot be easily compared to anyone else!

If you're looking for something crushing, monstrous, yet simultaneously beautiful, pick this CD up. It's a breath of fresh air amongst other bands in the stagnating metalcore scene.

"One Day I'll Stay Home" and "The Failsafe" are worth the price of the CD alone. Amazing songs.

On a personal level, Mirrors was without a doubt one of my most anticipated albums of the year. Not only being a long time fan of 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Misery Signal's Of Malice And The Magnum Heart quickly became one of my favorite albums ever. When it was announced by the band that Jesse Zaraska would not be returning as the band's vocalist, one had to wonder how they would bounce back from losing quite possibly one of the most unique vocalist to embrace metal/hardcore in quite sometime. Their answer came in Karl Schubach and while Schubach may not have that distinctive rasp that Zaraska had, he does a damn fine job filling his shoes and puts his own trademark on the Misery Signals sound. Where Zaraska attacked with a throaty rasp, Shubach pummels you with a low growl while retaining the Zaraska-styled spoken word passages.

Musically, Misery Signals remains light years ahead of their peers. They are neither a Swedish metalcore rip-off, nor do they succumb to the evergrowing Botch/Coalesce tech-influenced riffing. Guitarists Kyle Johnson and Stuart Ross create luscious soundscapes with their guitar riffs that not only complement but perfectly counteract Shubach's aggressive vocal approach. Tracks such as The Failsafe, Reverence Lost, and the title track have a tremendously epic feel to them where as Migrate and An Offering To The Insatiable Sons Of God (Butcher) find the band treading water they hadn't before. Simply put, Misery Signals is one of a kind and thats saying a tremendous amount considering they remain in a cluttered genre full of bands that, for the large part, remain remain undiscernable.

What perhaps will throw most people for a loop is the guest vocal spot of Patrick Stump (of Fall Out Boy fame) on One Day I'll Stay Home which works suprisingly well and creates an unmatched dynamic not found on the rest of the album. Overall, Mirrors is one of the best albums of the year and proves that the metal/hardcore hybrids of today still have something to offer the world of music.

Highlight tracks: The Failsafe, Reverence Lost, Sword Of Eyes, One Day I'll Stay Home

This is another outstanding album from a band that contineus to rise above the mold in a genre now bland with routine and formulaic bands that rely on simplicity to make it. Misery Signals is most noted for their ambient yet crushing, atmospheric yet brutal sound which they further refine on 'Mirrors'. The guitars play off each other and hardly ever strum any normal power chords. It's all a combination of beautiful harmonies and picking with a tight low end in the bass.

Now it's to noted that this album is different from the first, 'Of Malice & The Magnum Heart' which is an amazing album as well. Gone are the punchy sounding drums and the prevalent bass lines. They have a new singer, whose voice is like a wall of soun. He also speaks a lot of the lyrics which is how Jesse Zaraska (the old singer) used to do it. But the overdubbed vocals are gone leaving a more aggressive sound. It works well here. Here is a track-by-track review:

1.Face Yourself - unlike the previous MS album, this song just hits you in the face with Carl Schubach's monstrous screaming and chugging guitars.Whereas the old album built you up to the opener with an intro track, this song just plain massacres with its breakdowns. Bear in mind that a MS breakdown is unlike anything you've ever heard with hard to hit time signatures and odd strum patterns. Fantastic ending. 5/5

2.The Failsafe - The first single and video. This song is amazing and the drums stand out masively. It is crushing yet very very melodic with it's clean passages which is what MS does best. The spoken words leading up to the insanely heavy breakdown are perfect. 5/5

3.Post Collapse - me and my friend call this song 'beefy'...and it is. It is probably the heaviest song on the album. Like Face Yourself, it slams you with it's crushing riffs. An awesome song. 5/5

4. Migrate - A very short soft song. Something diff but recognizably MS's style. The spoken words are intense. A welcome respite after the previous song's onslaught. 5/5

5. One Day I'll Stay Home - this song blows my mind. A sweet intro with weird timing, it is relatively soft. This song still retains it's power, though. The best part about this song is Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump's guest vocals on the chorus. Different yet it fits so well. Who would've thought? 5/5

6. Something Was Always Missing But It Was Never You - probably the best intro to any hardcore song ever. It is heavy and pretty yet again and the timing gets me very time. The only noticeable bass riff is in thi song and it rips. 5/5

7. Reverence Lost - the worst song on the album, but by NO means is it bad. The drums just take off in the beginning. This is a really melocid song but ends on a heavy note. 4/5

8. Sword of Eyes - an sweet song. The intro is kind of haunting and the length is pretty long. It has some awesome riffs and a breakdown that makes me wanna shout every time. There is also a part where everything but the drums and vocals stop...ahhh...so good...5/5

9. An Offering To The Insatiable Sons Of God (Butcher) - not sure about the name. Kinda slow in the beginning and the lyrics are really simple. Nothing amazing...it is sorta mellow. 4/5

10. Anchor - Oh man, the single greatest riff I've ever heard is in the intro to this song. I love it. When I heard it I was like "holy crap!" This song is shorter than the rest besides Migrate as well. The breakdown where Schubach yells "This attempt has failed!" is the most forceful on the album. Love it. Ah, the riff. 5/5.

11. Mirrora - I'm still getting used to this song. It is the longest and the most epic on the album. All sorts of things going on here and the lyrics are really good as well. A perfect way to end a masterpiece. 5/5

All in all, a breath of fresh air in a stagnant scene. Go buy it now.

Like now.

The cd's condition is good.

Shame for a little sign on the backside of the package.

Misery signals are actually one of the best band around the world, with a powerfull mix of fusion and meshuggah glued by a nice songwriting

this is my favourite album...i guess!=)

The songwriting, lyrics, new vocalist, instrumentals, EVERYTHING on this album is amazing. Too bad they didn't have Devin Townsend as a producer again. Of Malice & the Magnum Heart is still probably the best sounding album i've ever heard, ever.