Wake
Misery Rites
Translation Loss
Out Feb 23 2018
Review by hutch
Wake has been lingering in the background of larger bands
for a while, continually astonishing grind fiends. Coming from Calgary,
Alberta, Canada in 2010, Wake has released something each year (save 2015);
including three LPs, one EP, and three split EPs. From the first release, the
2010 LP, Leeches, I was hooked.
Almost all have been on separate labels, including respected mainstays such as
Sentient Ruin and Give Praise. Here on Misery
Rites, Translation Loss (on an amazing streak) presents a blistering
example of how grandiose yet compact and succinct grindcore can be. Wake
deliver atmospheric haze over the tightly produced material. Wake decimates
with speed but also taut precision; adding chaotic elements that all synergize
to a punishing product.
Guitarist, Rob LeChance, spearheads the writing and Wake’s
direction. When handing Misery Rites
to production, the band decided to streamline by having the album recorded,
mixed, and mastered with Dave Otero at Flatline Audio (Khemmis, Primitive Man,
Cobalt). This process, and a larger vision, has added to this band’s impactful
canon. While Wake has proven repeatedly that they can crank out the relentless
hammering of grind/death with stunning results. On Misery Rites, however, Wake grasps at more. The opener, touting lyrics,
“the cycle starts”, prepares the listener and Misery Rites maintains a ravaging atmosphere until the seven minute
closer. Having played the album on repeat in succession many times, I can vouch
for the intended cycle of pacing. In between, Wake plants a treacherous mid-section
of slightly longer tracks (“Paradigm Lost” at 3:38; “Exiled”, 2:49p); as they
plod and stew and fester. Even the shorter blast-driven tracks writhe in a much
heavier, stagnating, burdensome and miserable miasma. This salient vibe lends to
Misery Rite’s cohesion.
Song titles definitely follow (or implement) a chronological
flow to the album. Adding to the lyrics mentioned, referencing the “Cycle”; the
death related journey ushers the listener with: Exhumation, Misery Rites, Embers,
Rot, Paradigm Lost, Exiled, Rumination, Bitter Winter, Burial Ground. “Burial
Ground” lays Misery Rites to rest in
two parts. First, Wake gives us a black metal scorcher that speeds through with
tragic implications. Then, a climactic proclamation stands, with slow rhythms,
for the final four minutes. Ball’s declarations of regret, “I never change”
echoes and repeats. The audience is dragged down, descending into filth,
blackened loathing and madness. Josh Bueckert’s dynamic control on his drums is
impressive here.
The grandiose appeal of the production, the low tuning, and
the apocalyptic mastery all add to aiming higher in songwriting and fucking
nailing it. In about 26 minutes. 7/9 tracks are 1:30 to 2:30. Blastbeats and
thunderous fills from Bueckert on drums carry this monstrous album to
victorious heights. “Embers” has a cool 10 second reprieve with a looming
angular guitar string twitching in the middle, but mostly the track bangs away.
Penultimate track, “Bitter Winter”, which leads to the meandering, foggy final,
ends its duration with a minute of mid-paced pounding. But let me not relay a
slower Wake. This album rips and tears with hammering riffs from Arjun Gill and
LaChance under Kyle Ball’s commanding vocals.
Playing in headphones for over a month, Misery Rites has not grown weary. The one-two punch of the title
track and “Embers” tantalize each play. Even after two hours of consecutive
plays. It is impossible to not think of recent Napalm Death with music,
production, and vocal delivery, but that is some reverent praise! This brutal
gauntlet of riffs and beatings, Misery
Rites should move Wake across the States and Canada (they tour 3.10.18 to
4.11.18) to pulverize welcoming eardrums.
RIYL: Napalm Death (especially last 4), Rotten Sound, Nasum,
Lock Up, Kill The Client, Implore
