This full length CD marks the beginning of a band with endless potential. Misery Signals was born from loss. Kyle Johnson [bass] and Ryan Margan [guitar] were both in the band 7 Angels 7 Plagues. After Cuauhtemoc Rios left the band. Jesse Zarkasa auditioned for the roll of vocalist but was passed over by Matthew Mixon for the Full Length album Jhazymnes Lullaby. Soon after that 7a7p broke up. Leaving Kyle and Ryan with nothing as they had quit everything to make that band work. They were still hungry to create music.
Before that Jesse Zarkasa was driving to a show with his band Compromise when they were struck by a drunk driver killing Jordan Wodehouse and Daniel Langlois. Jesse was soon on the search for a new band to front. Soon he hooked up with Misery Signals. Produced by Strapping Young Lad's Frontman Devin Townsend. 'Of Malice and the Magnum Heart' seems to be the best Hardcore Album released in 2004.
The lyrics revolve around the sorrow of loss and the feeling of betrayal. But they prove to come to a more positive end. To me one of the most meaningful lyrics they have are in "In Respone to Stars" stating, 'With Determination we all must move on. With Determination we all must live on.' If you listen to the cd with headphone on you can tell that vocals are recorded twice and each vocal track is panned to one ear. There are very slight differences in each ears
They effectively meld sorrow and anger in a way that makes you want to mosh and weep and the same time. They use great melodies in all their songs that never seem to repeat.
Track-By-Track Summary
01. A Victim, A Target 5/5
A Great opener. Very Repeatative. but the use of an acoustic guitar over a brutal guitar riff makes the song have a very dark feel too it. Excellent way to grip you into what is to come.
02. In Response to Stars 4/5
Misery Signals gives you no time to comprehend what you just heard. Lead very strongly by double-bass. At the first listen it seems like chaos. but there are some crazy breaks leading into melodic guitar riffs that come out of no where.
03. The Year Summer Ended in June 5/5
Still barely any rest for the listener. Not much to say about this song. Melodic riffs along with Powerful vocals bring this song to life. Showing raw emotion describing a painful memory.
04. The Summary Of What I Am 5/5
This track's main beauty comes from the guitar riffs in the chorus. Then at 2:30min you are hit with a breakdown no other Hardcore band has matched. Clean guitar riffs with a backing simple bass line is a departure from the fast riffs seen throughout this cd. It continues to impress the listeners.
05. The Stinging Rain 4/5
My love for this song comes at about 2 minutes into the track. Where the deep drumming backs Jesse's deep speaking voice. Then the guitar shows a beautiful riff when the screaming starts again. For me it doesnt wow me as much as the other tracks. With Matthew Mixon backing up vocals.
06. Worlds and Dreams 5/5
This track is the best track by far on the cd. Breaking away from the intensity of Misery Signals previous tracks. Worlds And Dreams proves that a hardcore band can put together music that anyone can listen to. Ambient words in the background. along with a Powerful yet simple bass line. Superclean guitars with incredible drumming. The Guitar lines used in this song being looped and overdubbed make this an even more powerful song then all of the cd. This song is an instrumental breakdown for the entire cd. They played this song live when i saw them at the House of Blues with none other than their producer Devin Townsend's band, Strapping Young Lad.
07. Murder 4/5
Misery Signals comes back to the plate with Melodic Guitar riffs and powerful vocals. The drumming in the Intro is quick and very good. I cant describe this track without saying the same thing. Excellent breakdowns. beautiful guitar riffs. The thing that stands out about this track (if you are a fan of 7 Angels 7 Plagues) is at the end when he quotes Farewell to a Perfect Score, the first track of 7a7p's Full Length album Jhazmynes Lullably.
08. On Account of an Absense 5/5
Opening with excellent drumming this track catches your attention but the same with all the other tracks. its amazing. Many Musical twists and turns
09. Five Years 5/5
This song starts out in chaos. It has the best outro on the cd. Although the song seems to continue in chaos, you hear some great melodics come around time after time.
10. Difference Between Vengance and Wrongs 5/5
This song is about all of their musical greatness in 5:55min. The Verse is singing, and the chorus is singing backed by Zarkasa's powerful scream. Riffs backing the vocals with intense drumming. the Intro and Outro are the best part of the track is at 3:25min when Brendan Morgan puts out the best drumm fills on the album.And best of all. if you have the cd on repeat it will fade into the first track. proving that this cd will never end.
