Misfortunes at inopportune times can often reap better circumstances – dependent on the resolve or viewpoint of certain participants involved. In the case of Illinois thrash band Misfire, their second album Product of the Environment showcases a total lineup overhaul that keeps a driving sound on track – the grooves, riffs, hooks, arrangements, and minor details encompassing an addictive nature hard to resist. Only drummer James Nicademus remains from the debut album Sympathy for the Ignorant in 2021 – the quartet gaining guitarist Konstadin Kostadinov, bassist Dan Stapinski, and vocalist Tim Jensen in the interim period. After numerous spins, the abilities captured prove these gentlemen have plenty of gas in the thrash mechanism tank to garner respect from the old brigade, the second wave – and the newer generation as well.
Punchy riffs next to groove-driven bass/drum foundational elements provide ample opportunity for additional fluid guitar lines or savage / memorable vocal sequences. James easily transitions from speedier tempos to controlled half-time slamming parts – check into “End of An Age” or the Metallica-ish “Day To Day” for two excellent insights into his professionalism at the kit. Lyrical content runs the gamut from the potential breakup to recovery of the band for “We Went Through Hell” to lack of social individuality through constant internet/phone monitoring in the aptly named “Privacy” – internal and external struggles the average person sees in society today as relatable problem areas to overcome. The main raspy contortions from Tim remind this scribe of everything from classic Phil Anselmo and Randy Blythe to a bit of Robb Flynn or Rob Dukes – “All Over the Place” and pounding “Artificially Intelligent” superb in their rapid, rhythmic sequences that vary with the changing musical components. The title track contains a longer guitar-enhanced solo break featuring Rob Casvestany of Death Angel, Alex Parra of Paladin, and John Douglass on Ebow, while “Left For Dead” has another killer guest spot from Rob Dukes of Exodus.
The choice to record Product of the Environment outside of home studio or state lands proves to pay large dividends – John and Alex along with James ensuring a blistering sound that’s clear, precise, yet also attacking and visceral. A certain next step for Misfire to gain more followers to their thrash cause – for those who love a versatile Bay Area meets Havok / Overkill-like sonic barrage, this record does its job to bleed for the cause and a little more.