Miseria are a new acquaintance to me, even though they released a couple of demos last year. Consisting of 3 girls and 2 guys, the band play melodic metal, as they put it themselves. It is a fitting description, because Miseria's music is not one dimensional.

Despite the band's name, this isn't all gothic misery, which I think is a positive thing. Miseria have found their own little niche somewhere between gothic and heavy metal. The title track is possibly the most gothic and easy slice here, including all dramatic keyboards and female/male duet. 'Whispering Cry' and 'Myself to Seal' jump into more interesting and heavy territory. Maybe it's those Finnishy touches that remind me of Nightwish's debut, 'Angels Fall First' (1997), even though Miseria sound Miseria. Double bass drums, heavier riffing but still melancholic nuances mix nicely together. 'Soulbound' continue with similar style, but leans towards poppier output (not as heavy and without doublekick drums). 'Into Despair' is the most melancholic, piano-driven song on 'Silence Within', including female-only vocals. The music is composed by girls, so this has no male aggression, but female poison. Admittedly beautiful and with Finnish spirit, 'Silence Within' doesn't offer any channel for a listener to vent aggression.

The band's performance is good. Playing isn't technical, except drumming at times, but there's no mistakes. Female vocals are not powerful, but still individual. They sound best on heavier music, on 'Into Despair' they sound very fragile and not for right reasons only. Male vocals are more varying, with a few growled lines and very individual clean vocals, working on mid-to-higher range. Duets work well.

The band is still very young, as well as the personnel. A good release, but you shouldn't search for any brutality here.

Rating: 7- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
07/08/2004 15:13