Kataklysm Misery Index Through The Discipline Review

Kataklysm Misery Index Through The Discipline

Bottom Lounge 5/24/04 by Karma E. Omowale

Disappointing Effort by Headliner, Kataklysm; Misery Index Only Saving Grace

For starters tonight's show had been rescheduled a grand total of 3 times; its just too bad the old cliché of third time's a charm could not apply to this situation. I was deeply saddened by the news of Cannae dropping off the bill. According to reports, the band was unable to make this leg of the tour due to internal riffs concerning management. I feel The Bottom Lounge should have at least made mention of the lineup change prior to the show. The doors opened at 6:00, as the initial turnout was poor, a harbinger of things to come. I am betting a total of 75 people crossed the threshold in the and more than likely I am being way generous. After Misery Index went off the venue cleared out considerably, the volume seemed to be at “eleven”…not pleasant. The shocking thing is that Kataklysm did not draw a larger crowd considering the band's vocalist, Maurizio Iacono lives here in Chicago. There were not enough people left to absorb the sound; thank GOD for earplugs!

Kataklysm - Their set was brutal and punishing, all the makings of a fabulous foundation considering the band are a mainstay in the underground death metal, but unfortunately, their set was not the best. I don’t whether their spirits were down from the lack of the support they’ve received from the tour so far or what but their lackluster performance did nothing for me. The band attempted to make the most of their ill-fated situation early on but the lack of enthusiasm by the audience, a total of 30 onlookers remained as it took its toll on the band…you could see the expression on their faces.

Vocalist, Maurizio Iacono gave the crowd 100%; I am sure if the crowd moved at all, Kataklysm’s show would not have been a bust. The morbid speed riffing was great; I hope to see the band in another setting as I am sure they would fare better. Their setlist was comprised of fan favorites, had enough been there to really appreciate the band’s effort, and tracks from their latest effort Serenity In Fire. Highlights included As I Slither, Shadows & Dust, The Ambassador of Pain, Illuminati, Manipulator of Souls, and Machiavellian.

Misery Index – delivered the brightest spot of the evening. Their sound is a wonderful mix of grindcore and death

metal with a splash of hardcore.  I was digging their techno-esque feel as well. They got the crowd pumped as horns flew. Jason Netherton, ex Dying Fetus bassist/vocalist, said that the audience rocked. The band is comprised of 3

ex members of Dying Fetus: Jason, Sparky Volves and drummer Kevin Talley. On a rating system of 5-devil’s horns, they would get a 4! They are an amazing live act and could breathe life in any comatose situation.

Through the Discipline – They set the stage for Misery Index perfectly, this band was pretty good. Hailing from

New York you could hear their hardcore edge; it was Shadows Fall meets H₂O. What a great set! You need to catch

these guys, you will not be sorry!

Setlist:
Sentenced To Life
March Of A Wounded Soldier
Scarred, Strangled, Slander
The Ruse
Raining Blood
+2-3 more songs