MISERY LOVES CO. — Misery Loves Co. (review)

MISERY LOVES CO. — Misery Loves Co. album cover Album · 1994 · Industrial Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Misery Loves Co." is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by Swedish metal act Misery Loves Co.. The album was originally released through MNW Zone in October 1994, but was soon after picked up by Earache Records for a 1995 re-release, which helped the band spread their music to a wider audience and ultimately gave them a decent amount of commercial success. Misery Loves Co. formed in 1993 and released the "Private Hell" single prior to the release of the debut album.

In their heyday Misery Loves Co. were often put in the same catagory as contemporaries Fear Factory, but although both acts use industrial elements in their music, I ultimately don´t agree much with the comparison and I think Misery Loves Co. have a sound which is closer in style to acts like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails (early Marilyn Manson could be mentioned too). Stylistically the music on this album is relatively hard edged industrial metal with groove/alternative metal elements. Lead vocalist Patrik Wirén has an aggressive raw vocal delivery, but also sings clean vocals, so his vocals are nicely varied.

The lyrics are dark and filled with angst and despair, dealing with subjects like depression and abusive relationships, so "Misery Loves Co." is definitely not a happy release. The album opens with the most catchy track "My Mind Still Speaks", which is an instantly memorable hook laden composition. A heavy riff/rhythm verse with aggresive raw vocals, and a melodic/atmospheric chorus featuring melancholic clean vocals (that particular section reminds me a bit of Depeche Mode). There aren´t any other tracks on the album which are as instantly accessible and hook laden, and the repetitive industrial elements are already increased from track number 2 "Kiss Your Boots" and onwards. Although there is a lot of repetition on individual tracks "Misery Loves Co." is not a one-dimensional release, and most tracks on the album stand out and there is decent variation between tracks too. Both in dynamics and style.

The album features a well produced soundscape where hard edged sharp guitar riffs meet programmed drums and industrial effects/noises. This is a sound production made by professionals who arguably know exactly what they do. So upon conclusion "Misery Loves Co." is a pretty mature sounding debut album, and while it´s not exactly a seminal industrial metal release, it is one of the most commercially successful releases in the genre, and the inclusion of alternative rock/metal melodies and angsty lyrics do provide the album with an original sound (for the time). A 3-5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.
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