Church Of Misery - Master Of Brutality (Southern Lord)

Tired of waiting for Slayer to recreate Seasons In The Abyss? Wishing Trouble would get their pretty little Christian heads in order and make another Manic Frustration? Peeved at QOTSA turning into a bunch of sad indie rockers? Still waiting for something to match Volume 1 by Sleep? Well its not that good but Japan's answer to Black Sabbath, Church of Misery, after several cult Eps, and many compilation appearances, have unleashed an awesome debut album.

Marketing wise you can't go wrong releasing an album obsessed with serial killers, although where the killer (!) cover of Blue Oyster Cults "Cities On Flame With Rock and Roll" fits in, I know not, and care less. Hopefully (and it is very unlikely), Adrian Gurvitz won't hear "Megalomania" and it's "Race With The Devil" 'inspired' riff:-). Image wise they are influenced by Macabre and Whitehouse, sound wise they are influenced by the Sabs, Sleep, Trouble, Blues Creation and Saint Vitus.

The instrumental performance of guitarist, Tomohiro Nishimura is outstanding. Mix in some Tony Iommi inspired riffs and some bowel pummelling bass from Tatsu Mikami and you're left with what will be a contender for metal album of the year.

Southern Lord Recordings, PO Box 291967, Los Angeles, CA 90029, USA
http://www.southernlord.com/
southernlord@yahoo.com