Misery Signals

A foreboding atmosphere is cued by straight-up guitar rhythms joined by piercing vocals in a theatrical introduction you can instantaneously tell Devin Townsend participated in producing. Ex-7 Angels 7 Plagues members, Ryan Morgan and Kyle Johnson were brought together with vocalist Jesse Zaraska under unfortunate circumstances but have risen above tragedy and their respective musical pasts to form a driven and pristine cut at metalcore. The promise of the Plagues is certainly why this band has risen to notoriety, signing to Ferret almost immediately after releasing a six-song EP. Though the promise has been fulfilled with poignant, pounding melancholy and double bass-fuelled cochlear attacks they are, unfortunately, easily tired. Hopesfall comes to mind in their more melodic parts, while their technical brand of breakdown-saturated mosh is heavily influenced by their past as 7A7P. The vocals are mostly stabbing screams mixed with spoken intervals. Many of the talking parts seem out of place and are often comprised of awkward poetry. Regardless, it’s a fairly solid record with knowledgeable songwriting and amazing production.