Misery Index (band)
Encyclopedia
Misery Index is an American deathgrind
band formed in 2001 in Baltimore
, Maryland
, United States
, by Jason Netherton on vocals and bass guitar, Mike Harrison on vocals and guitar, and Kevin Talley
on drums. From 2006-2010, its line-up consisted of Netherton on vocals and bass guitar, Sparky Voyles on guitar, Mark Kloeppel on vocals and guitar, and Adam Jarvis on drums. In 2010, Voyles left the band and was replaced by Darin Morris.
with strong hardcore punk
and grindcore
influences. Their vein of music is often said to resemble their fellow Maryland death metal outfit Dying Fetus
, as Netherton, Voyles, ex-guitarist Greig and ex-drummer Talley are all former members of that band. Misery Index's lyrical subject matter is left-wing, often coinciding with radical
and anarchic
aesthetics and focusing mostly on the ills of modern society. Their band name is derived from the economic indicator of the same name
, which was also the namesake of the last album by Assück
, from whom Misery Index draw a significant influence.
The band runs its own record label
, Anarchos Records, on which it has released a few EPs. They signed to Relapse Records
in January, 2006, and released their second album Discordia in May 2006. Their third album Traitors was released in September 2008. Their fourth album, Heirs To Thievery was released May 11, 2010. In June 2011, the band signed to Season of Mist Records.
EPs
Compilations
Former members
Deathgrind
Deathgrind is a musical genre that fuses death metal and grindcore. The genre, along with pornogrind, is related to the goregrind subgenre...
band formed in 2001 in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, by Jason Netherton on vocals and bass guitar, Mike Harrison on vocals and guitar, and Kevin Talley
Kevin Talley
Kevin Talley is an American death metal drummer. He has performed with Dying Fetus, Misery Index and Chimaira, and he is currently the drummer for the bands Dååth, Six Feet Under and Nothnegal.- History :...
on drums. From 2006-2010, its line-up consisted of Netherton on vocals and bass guitar, Sparky Voyles on guitar, Mark Kloeppel on vocals and guitar, and Adam Jarvis on drums. In 2010, Voyles left the band and was replaced by Darin Morris.
Background
Misery Index's music is best described as death metalDeath metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
with strong hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
influences. Their vein of music is often said to resemble their fellow Maryland death metal outfit Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus is an American death metal band from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their outspoken political views, and for being one of the few death metal bands who follow a political nature. Earlier lyrics showcased the common death metal trait of explicit violence...
, as Netherton, Voyles, ex-guitarist Greig and ex-drummer Talley are all former members of that band. Misery Index's lyrical subject matter is left-wing, often coinciding with radical
Radicalism (historical)
The term Radical was used during the late 18th century for proponents of the Radical Movement. It later became a general pejorative term for those favoring or seeking political reforms which include dramatic changes to the social order...
and anarchic
Anarchy
Anarchy , has more than one colloquial definition. In the United States, the term "anarchy" typically is meant to refer to a society which lacks publicly recognized government or violently enforced political authority...
aesthetics and focusing mostly on the ills of modern society. Their band name is derived from the economic indicator of the same name
Misery index (economics)
The misery index is an economic indicator, created by economist Arthur Okun, and found by adding the unemployment rate to the inflation rate. It is assumed that both a higher rate of unemployment and a worsening of inflation create economic and social costs for a country...
, which was also the namesake of the last album by Assück
Assück
Assück was an anti-capitalist and anarchist grindcore and deathgrind band from Saint Petersburg Florida, active from 1987 to 1998. The band proved influential, with their album Anticapital voted number 4 in the Terrorizer list of their top 20 US grindcore albums, who described it as a "low-calibre...
, from whom Misery Index draw a significant influence.
The band runs its own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, Anarchos Records, on which it has released a few EPs. They signed to Relapse Records
Relapse Records
Relapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado...
in January, 2006, and released their second album Discordia in May 2006. Their third album Traitors was released in September 2008. Their fourth album, Heirs To Thievery was released May 11, 2010. In June 2011, the band signed to Season of Mist Records.
Discography
Albums- Retaliate CD/LP (2003)
- DiscordiaDiscordia (album)Discordia is the second studio album by American death metal band Misery Index.-Track listing:# "Unmarked Graves" – 4:47# "Conquistadores" – 3:36# "Outsourcing Jehovah" – 2:52# "Breathing Pestilence" – 3:15# "Meet Reality" – 2:27...
CD/LP (2006) - TraitorsTraitors (album)Traitors is the third studio album by American deathgrind band Misery Index. It was engineered and produced by Kurt Ballou and released through Relapse Records on September 30, 2008...
CD/LP (2008) - Heirs To ThieveryHeirs to ThieveryHeirs To Thievery is the fourth full length album by American deathgrind band Misery Index. It was released by Relapse Records on May 11, 2010.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Adam Jarvis - drums*Mark Klöppel - vocals, guitar...
CD/LP (2010)
EPs
- OverthrowOverthrow (album)Overthrow is the début release by Maryland Deathgrind band, Misery Index.- Track listing :# "Manufacturing Greed – 3:36# "Your Pain Is Nothing" – 4:19# "Blood on Their Hands" – 1:40# "Pulling Out the Nails" – 2:26...
CD/12" (2001) - Split w/ Commit Suicide CD (2002)
- Split w/ Structure of LiesSplit w/ Structure of Lies (album)Split w/ Structure Of Lies is a split MCD of Maryland death metal band Misery Index. It was recorded on March 2002 at Uncle Punchies Studio, engineered by Uncle Punchy. All music and lyrics written by Misery Index.-Track listing:...
CD (2003) - DissentDissent (album)Dissent is an EP by Maryland deathgrind band Misery Index.-Track listing:# Sheep and Wolves # Exception To The Ruled # The Imperial Ambition# Multiply By Fire # Defector# Screaming at a Wall Bonus track available only on vinyl...
CD/12" (2004) - Split w/ Bathub ShitterSplit w/ Bathub Shitter (album)Misery Index/Bathub Shitter split is a split 7" EP between Maryland death metal band Misery Index and Japanese grindcore band Bathtub Shitter....
7" (2006) - Hang Em HighHang Em High (EP)Hang Em High is a 7" EP from Maryland-based band Misery Index, released to coincide with their 2007 European tour. 1000 were to be made originally, but this was later reduced to 800 due to a problem at the pressing plant....
7" (2007) - Split w/ Mumakil CD/7" (2007)
- Split w/ Lock Up 7" (2011)
Compilations
- Pulling Out the Nails CD/LP (2010)
Band members
Current members- Jason Netherton - bass, vocals (2001–present)
- Mark Kloeppel - guitar, vocals (2005–present)
- Adam Jarvis - drums (2004–present)
- Darin Morris - lead guitar (2010–present)
Former members
- Kevin TalleyKevin TalleyKevin Talley is an American death metal drummer. He has performed with Dying Fetus, Misery Index and Chimaira, and he is currently the drummer for the bands Dååth, Six Feet Under and Nothnegal.- History :...
- drums (2001–2002, 2004) - Mike Harrison - guitar, vocals (2001–2002, 2004)
- Matt Byers - drums (2002–2004)
- Bruce Greig - guitar (2003–2004)
- John "Sparky" Voyles - guitar (2002–2010)