RED HOT TRACK OF THE WEEK: MISERY INDEX

Song

Feral Future

Artist

Misery Index

Misery Index backstory

Over 25-years, Misery Index have dissected political manipulation, raged over state violence, and decried environmental vandalism. And they’ve done it to a fierce death/grind soundtrack.

Retaliate, their 2003 debut album, set the tone. Traitors slayed. 2019’s Rituals of Power? We praised it for its “pinpoint ferocity and profound sense of sorrow”.

Four years have passed since the last Misery Index album, Complete Control.

Wars rage on.

And it feels like the world is on fire.

So it’s a fitting time for this Baltimore band – founded by ex-Dying Fetus bassist/vocalist Jason Netherton – to return to action.

More news on their eighth full-length is expected soon.

But for now, you can step into a Feral Future.

In Jason Netherton’s own words

“Feral Future is about changing the way we think about our relationship with nature.

“Nature isn’t something we rule over or exist outside of. It’s something we are immersed in everywhere all the time.

“This song champions the rewilding of damaged and corrupted human spaces and reclaims a more feral connection that respects the sublime wonder of nature.”

The verdict on Feral Future

This song doesn’t grind like old school, noughties Index.

But it’s immediate, incisive and immensely powerful.

Guitarists Mark Kloeppel and Darin Morris combine effortlessly, as they churn and burn through three and half lacerating minutes. And with Adam Jarvis – also of Pig Destroyer, Scour and Lock Up – providing the percussive bombardment, Netherton’s lyrics hit home hard.

What’s next for Misery Index?

The band are embarking on an extensive European tour, entitled An Epitaph for Endtimes, this week. They start out in Helsinki on July 28 before taking in the likes of Wacken Open Air (July 30), Dortmund Death Fest (August 1) and Party San Open Air (August 6).

UK fans can check them out at: Sin City, Swansea (August 8); Rebellion, Manchester (August 9) and The Cobblestones, Bridgwater (August 11).

Misery Index photo by Ryan Philips.