Misery (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | Damon Robinson, Scott Edgar |
| Defunct | 2005 (disbanded) |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited for tours in 2009, 2017 and 2023 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand |
Key people | Damon Robinson, Scott Edgar, Anthony Dwyer, Glen Phillips |
| Products | Death metal music (4 albums, 1 EP) |
Misery was a death metal band originating from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Established in 1991, they became one of the pioneering death metal groups in the country, producing four full-length albums and an EP throughout their career. Although they disbanded in 2005, the band reunited on several occasions to tour in support of their last album in 2009, participated in a 2017 tour alongside Taake, and celebrated the 30th anniversary of their debut release with performances at events such as The New Dead Festival held in Adelaide in April 2023.
Background
The formation of Misery took place in 1991, initiated by bassist Damon Robinson and guitarist Scott Edgar, both experienced musicians from Brisbane bands including Guardian and Northwinds. The original ensemble consisted of Robinson, Edgar, drummer Anthony Dwyer, guitarist Brad Allen—who was soon succeeded by Laszlo Khaninghinis—and vocalist Darren Goulding. In 1992, they produced two demos titled Sorting of the Insects and Astern Diabolus before launching their first album, A Necessary Evil, in 1993.
After releasing their debut album, Misery quickly gained recognition within the heavy metal community and embarked on a nationwide tour supporting Pungent Stench. Vocalist Goulding was replaced by Moises Contreras, formerly of Mausoleum. The band issued the Insidious EP in 1994 featuring Contreras; its accompanying video for "Torn" was prohibited from television broadcast. They shared stages with prominent acts such as Deicide and Morbid Angel, and performed at the Big Day Out festival. Following Contreras’s departure, Robinson assumed vocal responsibilities. Contreras went on to establish the melodic death metal band Sakkuth.
In 1997, Misery entered into a contract with Sydney-based Warhead Records and released their sophomore album Revel in Blasphemy, which is regarded as their most intense record. Their touring continued with appearances at events like Metal for the Brain. The release of their third album Curses was postponed until 2000 due to Warhead Records ceasing operations; it was finally issued through Venomous Records.
Throughout the early 2000s, members engaged in various side ventures: Edgar joined Soundsurgery; Kananghinis started the punk outfit Greensteam; Robinson collaborated with doom metal band Cardinal Sin. Additionally, they occasionally performed Motörhead covers under the name White Line Fever. After completing a tour in New Zealand in 2001, Kananghinis departed to concentrate on Greensteam. Misery carried on as a three-piece unit until Robinson moved to the United States in 2005. Their fourth studio album On Demon Wings was released in 2007 via Brisbane’s Obsidian Records. Edgar formed The Dead in 2005 and later teamed up with Dwyer to create Laceration Mantra.
The band briefly reunited in March 2009 for an East Coast tour promoting On Demon Wings, sharing the bill with Adelaide’s doom metal act Mournful Congregation. A one-time reunion performance occurred in Brisbane in 2017 supporting Norwegian black metal band Taake.
To mark the 30th anniversary of A Necessary Evil, Misery announced several Australian shows including appearances at Canberra Metal Fest as well as concerts in Brisbane and Southport. They confirmed that at the Brisbane event they would perform the entire album live for the first and final occasion.
Line-up
- Damon Robinson – bass and vocals
- Scott Edgar – guitar
- Glen Phillips – guitar
- Ant Dwyer – drums
Former members
- Brad Allen – guitarist (1991)
- Laszlo Kananghinis – guitarist (1991–2001)
- Darren Goulding – lead vocals (1991–1993)
- Moises Contreras – lead vocals (1994)
Discography
- A Necessary Evil (1993) released by Velvet Urge
- Insidious (1994) under Valve
- Revel in Blasphemy (1997) through Warhead
- Curses (2000) issued by Venomous
- On Demon Wings (2007) distributed by Obsidian