Miseria Ultima – Graygarden (Album – Advoxya Records)
Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: The Finnish duo Aleksi Martikainen – Kimmo Huhtala strikes back with their second full length album. Set up in 2016, they were picked-up by Advoxya Records, which released the band’s debut album “Phosphor” in 2017. It was a solid- and ultra promising debut for Miseria Ultima so I was wondering about their newest sonic creation.
Content: I think I might say that this album moves on there where “Phosphor” left off. It’s the perfect osmosis between EBM and dark-electro, both styles being clearly indicated by the band as their main sources of inspiration. The songs are driven by pumping kicks, the songs being all very danceable. But there also is a kind of dark, catchy aspect in the melody lines getting the production even more accessible. I don’t want to compare Miseria Ultima with another formation, but I can imagine their sound will appeal to fans of God Module.
+ + + : The different elements from the production are pretty complementary. There’s a constant twist between hard-pumping beats and rather catchy, but dark melody lines. The production is powerful and masterfully driven by a great vocals’ production. “Allegiance” appears to me as the biggest potential hit from the album. The chorus of the song has an elevating effect, which can’t leave you unmoved. Miseria Ultima doesn’t reinvent the EBM/dark-electro style, but they’re a talented, contemporary ambassador.
– – – : I’m less surprised by this release than when I listened to the “Phosphor”-album, but that is the major difficulty for bands after having released a successful debut work is to follow up with another hit. Well, that’s exactly what Miseria Ultima did!
Conclusion: I’m still convinced this band has the potential to become a real influential- and perhaps a leading band in the dark-electronic music scene!
Best songs: “Allegiance”, “Bayonet Of Her Arms”, “Let Down”, “Remote Warning”, “Temple Behind The Shades”.
Rate: (8½).
Artist: www.miseriaultima.com / www.facebook.com/miseriaultima
Label: www.advoxya–records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya–Records/265765706059
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