Misery Love Co.

(Earache)
by Paul Lee

The industrial revolution is far from over. Just when you thought we had enough, some more insidiously tasty stuff comes along. This particular metallicized hardware comes via Sweden. They’re called Misery Loves Co. and pain is their pleasure. All the Amer-Germano influences are welded on, but MLC have synthesized these and mutated into their own creepy beast. Not afraid to toss melody into the brutality, these two demented fellas can pull despair from the same region of the brain as rage. The crushing riffs, mechanized drums, cruel rhythms and agonized vox are all there, but MLC can tone it down with smooth and sorrowful vocals.

“Need Another One” starts with mournful singing, guitar and samples. Then, just when you’re about to weep, the viciousness cuts in and resembles a death metal grind. This is such inspirational torture! In the boot camp of industrial soldiers, MLC have acquired the killing techniques and weapons with which to forge themselves into assassins.

MLC does have its problems. There are times when their influences are obvious, as with the KMFDMish tune, “This Is No Dream,” with its repetitive thrash riff. Even “2 Seconds,” a song about junkies, resembles Ministry in sound and content. No, the disc isn’t the New Testament of industrial, but it has many painfully wonderful songs and elements. For the most part, MLC’s debut blazes its own uncomfortable path, proving once again that even with it’s ABBA and hellish Ace Of Base, Sweden has some serious darkness.