First of all, just check out this line-up: Sven De Caluwé (Aborted) - harsh vocals, Sanna Salou (ex-Dimlight) - clean vocals, Mendel Bij de Leij (Aborted, Mendel) - guitar, Steve Miller (ex-System Divide, Loculus) - guitar, Andrei Aframov (ex-System Divide) - bass, Ken Bedene (Aborted, ex-Abigail Williams) - drums. I have heard a number of dissapointing so-called "supergroup" albums before, but Miserycorde is not one of them. And with even more added star power in the form of guest appearances from members of Black Dahlia Murder, Scar Symmetry, Nevermore and Arch Enemy, Oracles is certain to draw some worthy attention in 2016.
The first question to ask a tentative listener would probably be, did you enjoy Retrogore? If the answer is yes, there is plenty more of that sound in terms of sheer riffage and vocal depravity. Mendel and Sven are both in their element with triumphant, technical hooks and claw-in-the-air screams. Okay, second question: how do you feel about female-fronted symphonic metal? Trick question; if you answered yes to question 1, I don't think this one matters. Personally, I am not a fan of that genre in the least, save for a few things I have heard here and there. But when the style is joined with these death metal veterans, it's a winning combination.
Sanna has a lovely, somewhat operatic voice. There is no questioning her talent. But what I am most intrigued by is the interplay between her and Sven. Their approaches are polar opposites that certainly seem to attract. It's a conversation between a beautiful angel and scorched demon. Heaven and Hell indeed. Add onto this the union of these highly proficient musicians with a backdrop of epic synthesizers and you have yourself something special. I'm not sure how all of these people came together, but it certainly worked out nicely. And guitar players, they've got plenty of ripping solos with which to make your fingers bleed.
So many great hits on Miserycorde: "The Tribulation of Man," "Catabolic (I Am)," "Quandaries Obsolete." I could go on. And from moment to moment the aesthetic is making subtle shifts between various subgenres from symphonic to deathcore to blackened death, and beyond. It's a very interesting listen. None of these components are particularly shocking in isolation, but this particular arrangment of them together is not one I have heard this year. I thought occasionally of ETHS, but it's more a set of passing similarities than a truly strong comparison. In any case, you need to listen to Oracles, and you should consider buying this album. My only small warning is that the "Beautiful People" cover is pretty terrible. Everything else is solid. Miserycorde is out today and streaming below.