HISS FROM THE MOAT - Misanthropy

Artist:  Hiss From The Moat

Album: Misanthropy

Year:  2013

Genre:  Death Metal

I recently discovered this band due to stumbling across an instructional video from their drummer James Payne, which then compelled me to click on another video of him playing along to a song.  That song was my first exposure to Italian death metal merchants Hiss From The Moat.  I needed more so I found their video “Caduceus,” an a-typical, highly infectious, song from their 2013 full length Misanthropy.  After that, to Amazon I went to download the album because getting a physical copy of this beast is rather difficult.

Right after the disturbing acoustic intro to the album ends, the band’s extreme output grabs the listener by the throat and refuses to relent.  The first song on the record, “Conquering Christianity,” bludgeons at every possible level and showcases the barbarity that is to follow.  It is instantly obvious the band possesses a colossal level of talent, and, although, they could most likely overplay as technically as anyone else in the game, they choose to concentrate on what sounds right rather than showing off their individual skill as they apply prowess and style throughout.  The band never loses the listener along the way.  So many extreme metal records feel like repeated versions of the first couple of songs you hear on the album.  Not the case with Hiss From The Moat as they construct unique compositions that sonically obliterate and still keep their distinctiveness.  Comparisons to Polish masters Behemoth can easily be made, but I find “Misanthropy” more accessible from a songwriting stance as these songs stuck with me only after a couple listening sessions.  Now don’t misunderstand the word “accessible,” as Hiss From The Moat are brutal, and the spewing of hatred and disgust necessary for truly terrifying death metal are 100% present.  Rumors are that a second album has already been written, so here’s looking forward to this incredible band unleashing its particular brand of dread on the world once again.

Listen to "Caduceus" here.