Misery Signals
““Of Malice and the Magnum Heart””
(Ferret Music)
From the first double-bass blasts on Of Malice and the Magnum Heart’s opening track, I was hooked, lined, and sinkered. That’s all it took. Produced by Devin Townsend (Lamb of God’s As the Palaces Burn), and subsequently torn to shreds by this five-piece annihilation squad, OMATMH’s cadence throws the listener into convulsions (at least mental convulsions) and leaves them speechless. “The Year Summer Ended in June” proves that it isn’t all blood and guts as MS explores the artsy side of things with an outro reminiscent of a Hopes Fall’s mellow breakdown. “Worlds and Dreams,” an instrumental assault, similarly leaves the listener at odds with a decision: Do I dig the metal more, or the rare, faultless, and beautiful rock interludes? Thankfully, there is just enough of both with no time wasted.
