UMUR
"Pulling Out the Nails" is a compilation release by US death metal act Misery Index. The compilation was released through Anarchos Records in February 2010. It´s a rarities type of compilation release featuring material from various EPs, singles, and splits released between 2001 and 2008. The 2011 Hammerheart Records reissue features a bonus DVD including the band´s live performance from Berlin, Germany, 5th November 2010.
The music is relentlessly brutal deathgrind with the occasional heavier groove laden part thrown in. It´s all delivered by skilled musicians and there are several breakneck speed riffs and rhythms throughout the album. The vocals are predominantly relatively intelligible and rather aggressive growling. Since the material is compiled from various releases and recorded over a period of 7-8 years the sound production is of varying quality. Some tracks are really well produced while others feature more raw and murky sounding productions. None are badly produced though and considering that this is a compilation release with material from a great deal of different releases, there is a relatively good consistency both when it comes to the sound production and when it comes to the songwriting quality.
Featuring 30 tracks and a full playing time of 77:11 minutes "Pulling Out the Nails" is a bit of a hardcore fan item, and even for the most ardent deathgrind listener a release that long in this style can be a bit of a challenge to get through. When that is said Misery Index are among the elite artists of the genre and they pull it off pretty well, because of their brilliant playing skills and professional songwriting approach. The tracks are relatively varied within the boundaries of the genre and considering the length of the release it´s actually not often my attention wanders. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.