Artist: Silverstein
Album: Misery Made Me
Label: UNFD
Release Date: May 6th 2022
Reviewer: Belinda Mann

Silverstein have been described in the past as the original sad boys of metalcore. Misery Made Me released Friday 6 May 2022, is their tenth studio album. “For the first time in our career, we truly put it all out there” says singer Shane Told. “We went into this with no rules and no preconceived notions of what Silverstein is or what it could be. The results are bold. We somehow wrote the heaviest, saddest, catchiest and most emotional songs in 22 years of being a band … all on the same album”.

Kicking off with a hefty punch, Our Song sets the bar high with a bout of catchy punk and hardcore rock. Die Alone, featuring guest vocals from Comeback Kid’s Andrew Neufeld, is one of their heaviest songs every released. “Our roots are in fast hardcore and punk, it’s a style we have touched on over the years, but with the frustration and anger I felt at the time, I wanted to take this one all the way” vocalist Shane Told reveals. Lyrically, Die Alone discusses the power imbalance that often happens in one sided friendship, where a toxic person controls another. The track is fierce and aggressive and one of their faster numbers.

Other heavier songs on the album include The Altar/Mart and It’s Over which incorporate synths. Adding in bold and ambitious new soundscapes is something new and highlights the group’s ability to progress and continually evolve clearly proving to listeners why they continue to lead the way in this genre and create great music. Bankrupt with its spoken vocals and synths feels a bit dirtier in that it has a grungy vibe with Shane giving us a few very nice screams throughout as well as some beautiful clear tones, a banger and a standout track.

While the lyrics of Ultraviolet talk to a powerless feeling the song comes off as the complete opposite with the track pulsing with energy mirroring what it is to suffer from and feel the crippling effects of anxiety. Ending with Misery, the last song on the album, the track provides fans with a beautiful ballad that showcases Shane’s heartfelt voice and ability to portray emotion, it gives you all the feels and is a definite highlight.

Ultimately, Misery Made Me is a story of trying to navigate our chaotic modern world that continues to challenge us daily. The album is full of angst and disassociation, its enraging and then at times beautiful and self-affirming. It’s a record that tells the story of loneliness, anxiety and isolation and other human struggles many of us face. It’s raw, real and I have to say as a newcomer, I’m hooked!

Misery Made Me track listing:

Our Song
Die Alone (feat. Andrew Neufeld)
Ultraviolet
Cold Blood (feat. Trevor Daniel)
It’s Over
The Altar/Mary
Slow Motion (feat. Mike Hranica)
Don’t Wait Up
Bankrupt
Live Like This (feat. nothing,nowhere)
Misery