by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Misery Whip, the hardcore band from Portland, Maine (not to be confused with Misery Whip, the death metal band from Portland, Oregon or Misery Whip, the also heavy band from Los Angeles), released their self-titled debut back in 2022, a decimating introduction to band that thrashed between reckless speed and primal density. The band have been hand-picking sporadic shows in the years since, their approach designed for relentless impact rather than burn out. MWII, the band’s upcoming EP, set for release on February 10th, was recorded together with Chris Johnson (Deafheaven, Doomriders, Summoner) at New Alliance Audio and mastered by Zach Weeks at God City Studio. The resulting eight and a half minutes of blistering carnage feels vital, pointed, piercing, and vicious in its justified scorn.
“Joke” is the record’s lead single, a song that vocalist Hayley Kafer says is about “men who pit women against each other to make themselves more powerful“. Shameful male behavior is met with combustible indignation, stampeded out in just over a minute. Kafer’s (who, credit where it’s due, recorded her vocals while pregnant) fury is directed at those men who would rather belittle and manipulate rather than carry themselves with common decency, harshly warning, “the tales you wove, have come undone”. There’s a landslide of guitar and metallic riffs leading the way, with buzzsaw tonality that really scrapes against the bludgeoning of the rhythm section. For a short song, Misery Whip keep things interesting, shifting and barreling their way into chaotic brilliance. “Joke” concludes as Kafer offers “it’s your turn now,” so consider yourselves warned.