An active scene for all types of metal, Chicago act Misfire aim to put old school thrash on the map as the trio stride into their full-length Sympathy for the Ignorant. Arriving on the scene in 2018, they self-released two EP’s in the ensuing two years, setting the stage for signing with MNRK Heavy to expand on their following. It’s a given that most can expect a primal form of this style – when hitting the senses on a guitar, bass, drums, and vocal front with no supplementary bells or whistles, you better bring the strong riffs, proper rhythm section punch, and fierce vocals – and that’s what you’ll get in these ten tracks.
Jay Johnson performs double duty as guitarist and lead vocalist – his main delivery containing that acidic roar that sits in a Phil Anselmo/Randy Blythe meets Robb Flynn category, piling on some sick riffs and speedy leads. The bass/drum syncopation from Sean Coogan and Jim Nicademus has that mechanized slamming quality to bring “Death Trap” into propulsive pit spasm mode, while providing the right beefy supplementation to a more frantic “R.I.P.”. Pulling from both the Bay Area and East Coast sides of the classic movement, many will compare specific structures, triplet runs, stop/start transitions, and general attitude to acts like Overkill, Anthrax, early Metallica, and Exodus – established right away with the tempo twisting “Fractured” all the way to the aggressive, militant title track closer. Often hitting the accelerator with no time to spare, the leads have that semi-shred/Slayer-esque frenzy and can pop in and out at varying times – just as the short burst blast beats and supplementary growls make “Skin of Mirrors” a front half highlight.
We already know what’s been established in these genre – originality almost impossible to achieve for newer acts given that thrash has been a part of the metal movement since the 1980’s. When you want head crushing riffs, equally captivating grooves, and a pissed off vocal delivery, Misfire hit the mark on all fronts – and that’s all you can ask for in a record these days.