MISERY INDEX
The band was born in the spring of 2001, by Vocalist/bassist
Jason Netherton along with Vocalist/guitarist Mike Harrison as a
studio project, with drums performed by ex-Dying Fetus drummer
Kevin Talley. "Overthrow," their debut CD was unleashed in
September of 2001 on the band's own Anarchos Records, where it
quickly drew praise and interest from underground circles with its
five song blast-thrash attack that met all expectations, and then
some. The CD was subsequently released in 2002 in Japan on Howling
Bull/Ritual Records, and in Europe on Fadeless Records. A limited
edition vinyl put out on Goodlife Recordings soon followed. The
band was then shifted to a full time project with the addition of
Sparky Voyles on guitar. Subsequently, the band's second release
was a split EP with Pittsburgh's Commit Suicide on Willowtip
records. This cd featured two new songs plus a cover of Disrupt,
and came out in the summer of 2002.
Following the recording of their second EP in March of 2002,
Mike Harrison and Kevin Talley left the band to pursue other
projects, and with the addition of Matt Byers on drums (ex-Severed
Head), Misery Index embarked on their first US tour in the summer
of 2002. Following this, 2003 saw the release of a split ep with
Arizona's Structure of Lies, and the recording of Misery Index's
debut album for Nuclear Blast, entitled "Retaliate". With the
addition of Bruce Greig on second guitar, Misery Index will be
touring extensively to promote the new album, which was released on
August 26, 2003.
Subsequently, in 2004 the band has embarked on several US and
European tours to support the "Retaliate", along with recording a
video for "The Great Depression" and releasing the bands first DVD,
which features a full live set from Greece, on their own Anarchos
Records label imprint.With the rejoining of Kevin Talley on drums
after the departure of Matt Byers in April of 2004, the band is
slated to perform sets at the Wacken, Brutal Assault, and Party San
festivals, as well as record a new EP in the summer of 2004. This
EP called "Dissent" represents a new birth for Misery Index,
further refining the sounds of 'Retaliate' and moving ahead in the
future.Look for Misery Index to be touring for "Dissent" well into
the winter/spring 2005.
The Music
The music of Misery Index combines the most intense elements of
metal with a distinct grind approach, added with a touch of
hardcore and extreme punk attitude and passion, thus pushing the
limits of metal with an insane mix of regressive thrashing rhythms,
corrupting breakdowns and energetic ferocity. Misery Index sets no
limits in their goal of making metal and grind flow together in
boundless punishing assaults designed to modernize the classic
death and grind metal of the early 90's, drawing influence from
Brutal Truth, Disrupt, Morbid Angel, Napalm Death, Terrorizer, His
Hero is Gone, Bolt Thrower, Assuck and Entombed.
The imagery and lyrical concepts are also very critical to the
band, and one can expect that in the true nature of the genre,
Misery Index will catapult their ideology and anger to the
forefront, and shove the sickness and hypocrisy of this planet
right back in the face of all who so quietly accept the status
quo…and have fun at the same time.