Misery Signals - Controller (2008) ©Ferret Music U.S.A.

Misery Signals - Controller (2008)
©Ferret Music
U.S.A.

Tracklist:

1. Nothing (4:05)
2. Weight of the World (2:50)
3. Labyrinthian (4:12)
4. Parallels (3:42)
5. Coma (4:51)
6. A Certain Death (3:25)
7. Set in Motion (3:48)
8. Ebb and Flow (3:27)
9. Reset (6:16)
10. Homecoming (5:09)


Upon several replays, Misery Signals’ latest album ‘Controller’ quickly grew on me. Personally, it has been a much anticipated follow-up to the bands spectacular previous release ‘Mirrors’. But before I get too far along with this review, I have to set a something straight.

Misery Signals style of metal/progressive metal is also considered ‘hardcore’ (I do not feel this to be so). Let it be know that this band is not your typical act classified under this genre. There are very few bands that fall under this category that I listen to because ‘hardcore’ is not really my thing---No offense, we all have our tastes. Any reader (including Metalzine staff) who wants to give me a hard time about liking and/or sharing information about this band can find what to do to themselves in the ‘F’ section of the dictionary.
Now that that’s out of the way…

Straight up, controller is an excellent album. What these boys can come up with has been catching the attention of many including their new producer Devin Townsend. As stated in the introduction, it took a few replays to warm up to (in contrast to Mirrors). The album is catchy and stays in your head for an extensive periods of time. That’s not to say that it's your typical ‘scene metal’. In fact, it's more the opposite, with its really gritty edge and robust levels of intensity. The album just bursts wide open upon clicking play. Throughout the listener will have a smile (or grimace) on their face from the fabulous mixture of bright melodies backed up by odd time signatures, chugging riffs, and breakdowns. The drumming is awesome…no, exceptional! Between that and Karl Schubach’s vocals, I am certain the band would not be the same. Their contributions play an integral distinctive part in the collective of band members that could never be replicated.

Karls vocals are very prominent throughout ‘Controller’. He releases heaps of rage, anger and aggression that it can easily convert new listeners to the fan base. The lyrical content however can get a little bit lame during some points (I also found this on their previous works). He makes up for it though on several key songs such as ‘Labyrinthian’ and my favorite track ‘Set In Motion’. If either of these do not get you jacked up, then nothing will!

‘Controller’ is a very strong rung in the ladder of Misery Signals’ bright future. If the band continues on the progressive path the way they have been, mark my words---Misery Signals will be a key group in the history of modern metal.