Mist of Misery
Severance


4.5
superb

Review

by Melodeth USER (20 Reviews)
November 17th, 2022 | 51 replies


Release Date: 2022 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Exquisite symphonic (and gothic) black metal

There’s something to be said about sad, depressive music. Done right, it’s incredible. Miserable black metallers Mist of Misery come from a Swedish scene where the sun is never seen and only dark grey clouds exist. Plying a trade in despairing black metal doesn’t sound very appealing but it can yield powerful pieces of music and Mist of Misery’s first two full lengths are a testament to the beauty of black metal.

But as a listener, being engrossed in this music is not a straightforward transaction, there’s a delicate balance to be met as, at the end of the day, we’re listening to connect with feelings and ultimately derive a sense of comfort and enjoyment from these albums. I’ve connected with Mist of Misery since the beginning of their recording existence, and have again with their new album Severance.

The corpse painted foursome from Stockholm with new vocalist Änglamakaren have crafted here a concept album that “tells a tragic tale which takes place in 19th-century rural England”. It begins with a simple piano opening and already I’m feeling that sense of comfort knowing it’s Mist of Misery. But this is not a long instrumental prelude as previous LPs opened with, as “An Ode to Solitude” swiftly transitions into black metal extremity and already it begins to captivate. With a gothic landscape reminiscent of early Cradle of Filth, the sound swells and wanes like a Shakespearean tragedy.

The black metal that captures my imagination is on offer here with backing choirs and various orchestra instruments filling spaces around the guitar riffing and expansive drumming. The compositions are interesting but logical with the various components each having a time and place. Songs like “The Long Road” feel like they have a licence to extend into epics but are smartly reigned in to freshen up the album’s early stages.

The more straightforward gothic black metal number “A Sombre Solace” follows but is kept compelling with organs and melodic guitars underpinned by sections of blast beats and an amazing double kick tone. These songs take influences from "Storm of the Light’s Bane" and "Dusk and Her Embrace" but are very much a novel take on big symphonic black metal.

The overall feeling of despair in the wailing vocals and quieter interludes is juxtaposed with the uplifting orchestral sections to deliver a full range of emotions. This is no better reflected in the premier song “Through Night’s Gloom”. In classic Mist of Misery fashion, it begins with a storytelling passage upheld with huge strings before being accelerated with double kick to intensify the drama. The ensuing baritone choirs gives the song a classy edge and we’re in that esteemed incredible territory.

The production of the album is clean and reminds me of Saor’s latest album "Origins". This is the best Mist of Misery have sounded, as symphonic black metal demands. This mix doesn’t prefer any elements over another and feels organically recorded so props to the band for nailing this. It must also be said that the previous two LP’s "Absence" and "Unalterable", whilst featuring exquisite epics, could also be accused of having too many instrumental filler tracks and extended run times. Not so with Severance, as it has a relatively compact total of 54 minutes and is expertly edited.

“Oceans of Grief” and the title track continue the excellent song writing and the variety within songs reminds me of the better albums from Cân Bardd, Sojourner and Pure Wrath. I keep returning to this album not because of its inherent sadness but simply because it sounds so good and increasingly so. And like a gripping gothic film, this album has a magnetic pull right down to the final blasts of “Towards the Descent”.



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user ratings (41)
3.8
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
Muzz79
November 17th 2022


3094 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Glad to get this review out after its release a week or so ago

DungeonBoy
November 17th 2022


9945 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great review Muzz, you got me to give it a listen, and the album cover and opening piano notes didn't hurt either. Sometimes I need a little tastefully theatrical symphonic black metal in my life

Muzz79
November 17th 2022


3094 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Cheers Dungeon. I reckon you’ll like it mate. Yeah it has that theatrical feel and is a massive grower

hey nice a feature

Egarran
November 17th 2022


35442 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Safe to say I got on this instantly.

Muzz79
November 17th 2022


3094 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yes Eg!

combustion07
November 17th 2022


12822 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I love the cover art on this one! Great review man. Checking this out now and I'm really enjoying it so far. Symphonic black metal isn't typically my thing but these guys don't seem to overdo it like a lot of the bands that are outside of my wheelhouse. The piano moments here stand out for me so far

Egarran
November 17th 2022


35442 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Just saw this review: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-mist-of-misery-severance-non-serviam-records/



That's some hype.





Muzz79
November 17th 2022


3094 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Man that’s some high praise. I’m feeling it tho.

Def worth a spin or 2 combustion. So many unusual instruments sown in to this

nash1311
November 18th 2022


8640 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

If it’s bumped by the Muzz master I must do the deed.



Will def check hopefully tonight

Muzz79
November 18th 2022


3094 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Good to have you on board nash bro

nash1311
November 18th 2022


8640 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

And the feature 🔥

combustion07
November 18th 2022


12822 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Definitely rocking with this one

Muzz79
November 18th 2022


3094 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Cheers purp. Saw you rated this first as I was holding off to see how much I would get into it. Didn’t you know you dug this stuff dude nice

Kusangii
November 18th 2022


7099 Comments


Gonna jam because swemetal m/

Muzz79
November 18th 2022


3094 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Oh you uploaded it, well in. I’m uploading albums all the time. Easier to do here than on RYM!

Muzz79
November 18th 2022


3094 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

There’s some perfect songs on the last album. 2 in particular Heir to Misfortune and Desolation. But overall this album is more consistent. And sounds better

WatchItExplode
November 18th 2022


10516 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I can definitely get behind this sound

y87arrow
November 19th 2022


717 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Great discovery, pure coincidence it was yesterday, had to check it out after I saw the album artwork. Discovered some great bm lately (ColdWorld - Melancholie² and Lifelover - Konkurs), although I have to say that I'm not really into bm except dsbm and ambient black but Severance sounds really good so far.

I love the songwriting and how the songs are structured. There is also some really nice atmosphere on it.



So far I loved other metal genres more (especially doom, death, math, prog, groove and industrial metal) but I have to say I'm getting into bm more and more. Thinking about checking out some album of Leviathan next maybe.

BallsToTheWall
November 19th 2022


51592 Comments


This is refreshing and inspired.

Crysis
Emeritus
November 19th 2022


17640 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This rules



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