Review: Misery Signals - Controller

Artist: Misery Signals
Album: Controller
Label: Ferret
Released: 7/22/2008

BSTscore: 85

Controller is the 3^rd full length from Wisconsin’s Misery Signals. I’ll be straight forward and honest. Misery Signals is one of the more refreshing metalcore bands around and Controller carries the band’s sound to a more refined level.

Pulling from the strengths of their prior release, Mirrors, this album is loaded with heavy melodies and gripping breakdowns. Although vocalist Karl Schubach’s range might be limited, it’s his crisp delivery and identifiable voice that help give the band its unique sound. The clean singing is harmonious with the music and fits well. See “A Certain Death” or “Set in Motion” for good examples. While I'm not too sure about the lyrics on the songs, “Nothing” and “Parallels”, the majority of this album is excellent.

My favorite part of Controller is the flow. Not just song to song, but as a whole. You can listen to it straight through or on shuffle and everything fits together. Even the heavy and fast paced parts to the album are melodic in their own way. I find it very hard to argue with what the band is doing musically. The tempo and time changes go unnoticed to the untrained ear and will certainly help Controller gain listeners. As far as metalcore bands go, Misery Signals is a step ahead of most and they will continue to be in my rotation if they keep producing music like this.

Musicianship: 90
Vocals: 80
Creativity: 85
Impact: 85

Favorite Song: “A Certain Death”

Listen to Misery Signals