Misery Index - 'Heirs To Thievery'

Near-grindcore perfection from these Maryland stalwarts.

Though this Baltimore-based grind outfit has established a loyal fan base since their 2001 inception as a Dying Fetus splinter group, there has always seemed to be an albatross hanging ‘round the band’s collective neck in terms of a wider-spread appreciation and recognition. Heirs to Thievery seeks to sever this bad-luck charm once and for all.

Being the band’s fourth long playing effort, there’s nothing here on Heirs To Thievery which sounds particularly out of place on a Misery Index album—there are punchy, memorable grindcore licks and devastating drum performances everywhere you look—yet this album still manages to capture a certain level of over-the-top aggression and energy as yet unheard from this talented quartet.

Of course, bassist/vocalist Jason Netherton is his usual, howling self here, achieving an uncommon level of charisma via his controlled, easily followed vocal patterns which lends Heirs to Thievery a listenable quality above and beyond most other acts of this genre. Breakdowns are used sparingly here—ultimately to a greater effect—in favor of a straight to the point grindcore sound which echoes the glory days of Terrorizer, and the '90s Earache Records roster.

Do all of these make points make efforts such as 2008’s Traitors, 2003’s Retaliate or the band’s classic Overthrow EP debut any less fearsome? Of course not…but Heirs to Thievery just may be the one for which the uninitiated may finally stand up and take notice. Hail The Index.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.