'Heirs To Thievery', album number four from Baltimore Death Metallers, Misery Index sees the band realise the huge amount of promise shown on their previous offerings with a serious step upwards, in every department.

Peddling a brand of Death Metal more akin to Dutch legends Pestilence and compatriots Skinless than most modern DM bands, Misery Index seem to have got their blend of riffs, groove and brutality absolutely spot on.  They're not afraid to mix the pace up either, whether it's going full-pelt on opener 'Embracing Extinction' or slowing the pace, without sacrificing power on 'The Seventh Cavalry'.  Guitarists Sparky Voyles and Mark Kloeppel really do rip out some cracking stuff, their riffs bursting with aggression and grooves, none more so than on 'The Spectator' which will surely loosen a few teeth in pits worldwide.  The other thing that rounds off Misery Index's sound so well is the vocals provided by Jason Netherton.  Not your run of the mill cookie monster/glass gargling DM vocals but the harsh yet intelligible style of the aforementioned Pestilence, hence insuring the intelligent and socially acerbic lyrics are not lost in the blender.

Repeated listens also prove this album to be a bit of a grower, which is also a good indicator of something a bit special. 

'Heirs to the Thievery' is a major step up then, and highly recommended.

www.myspace.com/miseryindex