MISFIRE
“Sympathy For The Ignorant”
Album Review by Iron Mathew

10/10

Misfire are a thrash metal band from the USA formed in 2018 releasing their debut album ‘Sympathy For The Ignorant’ in 2022.

Fuelled by aggression and rage, the debut album from Misfire is a deafening roar of old school thrash metal – the kind of thrash to be found in the mid eighties when bands such as Slayer, Metallica, Sodom and Kreator began defining the genres sound. The trio of Jay Johnson (vocals, guitar), Sean Coogan (bass, vocals) and James Nicademus (drums) are full of explosive energy and tear through the ten songs on offer in a little under forty minutes – that’s forty minutes of some of the fiercest and ferocious thrash that you’re likely to hear this year! The album storms into sight with incredible ferocity courtesy of the fast paced ‘Fractured’ – introducing itself on a carousel of menace before rocketing off at blistering speed. The gruff growly vocals are aggression laden, and perfectly suited to this style of abrasive thrash metal. Such a devastating opening is followed by pure destruction, in the mighty shape of ‘Red Flag’ – a Slayer come Metallica mix of brutality and finesse. And forgive the pun, but Misfire are not fucking misfiring, they’re firing on all fucking cylinders! The opening double salvo has been a brutal barrage of savagery.

Which shows no sign of relenting either, the pace of the album increasing even more, as ‘War Of Mine’ races off among hundreds of exploding incendiary devices. The explosive nature of ‘War Of Mine’ is incredible, the heaviness heavier than the heaviest thing you can think of – and more! If you’re looking for a melodic thrash metal album, this ain’t it – this is a brutal barrage that’ll likely cause serious bone breakage! Or at least neck damage! The tsunami style destruction continues apace with ‘Skin Of Mirrors’, dishing out a torrent of haymakers to knockout even the most seasoned and resilient of boxers! What a sensational way to announce your entry into the world of thrash metal – Misfire haven’t just knocked or kicked down the door, they’ve driven a fucking tank right through the door, taking the whole building down with them!

What a fearsome force the American trio are! Yes, a trio – exactly like such iconic bands as Venom, Raven, Motorhead, and Swiss thrashers Freakings. Misfire are a force to be reckoned with alright, and I suggest anyone with a weak bladder to wear diapers when listening to their album – you may just need ’em! For ‘Death Trap’ lumbers in with some savage riffing that’s gonna leave a few deep cuts around the heads of many listeners – ‘Death Trap’ giving out a beating that makes prime Mike Tyson look tame. Is there no respite from the bands brutal onslaught? The band answer with a resounding and rip roaring “no”, dishing out more aural pummelling with the ‘South Of Heaven’ (Slayer) styled menace of ‘No Offense’ – stomping heavily and mercilessly. A pace changing swagger of a monstrosity, ‘No Offense’ could tear you a new one! So be extremely careful how you stand when listening – you have been warned! Returning phenomenal pace to the album, ‘R.I.P.’ is a rabid romp of relentless aggression. The sheer brutality and striking savagery of everything Misfire have served up with their debut, really needs one of those “eighteen rated” labels on it, or at least a “parental advisory” one – you know the one, it’s the one that everyone ignores, because you just know that any “parental advisory” labelled album is gonna be fucking incredible.

And that rings true right here, Misfire delivering an incredible album of terrific thrash – the album continuing with the menacing and fear loaded ‘He Said She Said’. Performed in a more “heavy metal” style than any other song on offer, ‘He Said She Said’ will attract fans from the heavier end of the heavy metal genre. Although there are still some speedy moments to satisfy the hunger of thrash metal fans. ‘L.Y.S.’ – “lose your shit” – is a fierce and ferocious high speed rampage, the fastest song on the album, featuring a punk like attitude. And a little hint of the famous Motorhead “rattle” too. And with the final song about to erupt into life, do remember you can always press the replay button and relive a relentless rampage of brutal thrash – or are you too scared! I for one am not, and will be replaying this album many times. But not until after the albums final hurrah, the title song ‘Sympathy For The Ignorant’. With just as much savage brutality as everything that has gone before, ‘Sympathy For The Ignorant’ (the song) shows no sympathy for listeners ears, bombarding them with one last vicious aural assault. What a song! What an album! What a rush! Now, where’s the replay button.

Overall, a savage barrage of high velocity and aggression fuelled thrash, Misfire have delivered a great album.

TRACKLIST

Fractured
Red Flag
War Of Mine
Skin Of Mirrors
Death Trap
No Offense
R.I.P.
He Said She Said
L.Y.S.
Sympathy For The Ignorant

https://misfireofficial.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/Misfireofficial

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