Review
Demonologists
Miscarriage Of The Soul

Crucial Blast (2011) Jon E.

Demonologists – Miscarriage Of The Soul cover artwork
Demonologists – Miscarriage Of The Soul — Crucial Blast, 2011

This is another band that while maintaining some bleak footing in the black metal scene exists as a noise group. That is not to say there aren't obvious trademarks of black metal within the structures, however loosely built they are. This band plays on the darkness that many black metal bands try to play up and orchestrate. Rather than just being another grouping of disenfranchised metal kids that play with their four tracks this is something more spiteful than what most people would attribute to black metal.

Like most artists in the noise genre this is an exercise in what the listener and player can withstand. The bulk of the album is an oscillating, static fueled mess of sorts. The vocals fall directly into the mix with no regard for being anything outside of another instrument with the melee. They whisper, croak and scream their way through these tracks. With no discernible words within the vocal attack it acts as a catalyst for the other weapons at the group's disposal. The instruments themselves are a barely recognizable guitar flayed by what may be one of the hugest pedal displays in history (assumption not fact). Every once in awhile one can hear a vague minor key melody peaking it's dusty head out from beneath the hiss of static. These are all placed like little treats for the listener that takes their time with this record.

This is really something made special by it's attention to detail both within the record and it's surroundings. The cover art itself only adds to how bleak the record sounds. Unfortunately for me Crucial Blast made this something of a multimedia project. When one purchases this cd they are also rewarded with an art book made by the band. This is filled with various pieces from paintings to collages. This gives the listener another level of understanding into the minds of the individuals that comprise this group.

All of this said, this is an album that is made wit ha lo fi mindset. Very little of this is for a listener's pleasure as it like many in the noise genre step out of the realm of what many consider to be music. What I can comfortably say is, that if you like things of an experimental mindset or just love the idea of scary the absolute crap out off anyone that may listen in., this would be the album for you. This is a noise record of a higher order standing strongly with the peers of the genre such as Prurient, Merzbow, and really anything on the Hospital Productions roster. This band has it's niche and is making it work for them.

7.8 / 10Jon E. • June 6, 2011

Demonologists – Miscarriage Of The Soul cover artwork
Demonologists – Miscarriage Of The Soul — Crucial Blast, 2011

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more