Church of Misery

Japanese masters of '70s-style stoner doom Church of Misery are back with new album Thy Kingdom Scum, their fifth LP and full-length follow-up to 2009's Houses of the Unholy. Having formed in 1995, Church of Misery are one of those bands that continue to get better over time, as Thy Kingdom Scum is heavier and more crushing than their previous releases, featuring their best production work to date. The band have maintained their sound, which combines early Black Sabbath with psychedelic doom and stoner rock, while carrying on with their lyrical concept of serial killers and mass murderers. However, the grooves are heavier ("Lambs to the Slaughter (Ian Brady / Myra Hindley)"), the riffs are catchier ("Brother Bishop (Gary Heidnik)") and the lyrics are eerier ("Cranley Gardens (Dennis Andrew Nilsen)"), while Hideki Fukasawa's vocals are as captivating as ever. Creepy sound bites also add to the record's macabre atmosphere, making Thy Kingdom Scum a thoroughly brilliant, yet disturbing release.