Band:	Church Of Misery
Album:	Born Under A Mad Sign
Style:	Doom metal, Stoner metal
Release date:	June 2023

01. Beltway Sniper (John Allen Muhammed)
02. Most Evil (Fritz Harmann)
03. Freeway Madness Boogie (Randy Kraft)
04. Murder Castle Blues (H. H. Holmes)
05. Spoiler
06. Come And Get Me Sucker (David Koresh)
07. Butcher Baker (Robert Hansen)

Midsummer Murders meets doom. 

Like learning to be patient or evolving a Magikarp, some things just take time; this explains why it's taken Church Of Misery seven years to bring out a new album. Well, if you managed the former skill, then good news, you will be repaid with interest, as Born Under A Mad Sign is yet another strong collection of odes to the dark side of humanity. 

Those who are familiar and have worshipped at this church before (and no, I won't apologise for that pun) know the band's brand of doom is as infectious as it is heavy; ready-made earworms will burrow their way deep inside your minds. Those also familiar with the band will likely know the other element that the band are (in)famous for is their ever revolving line-ups, with Born Under A Mad Sign being no different. The ever-present Mikami is reunited with the returning Asaeda after a near thirty-year absence from the church; guess he saw the light in the end after all. 

The slow riff-driven dirge of Church Of Misery lurches out of the speakers once more, with the likes of "Most Evil (Fritz Harmann)" sounding like one of the best composites of Black Sabbath ideas shot through the murder mystery channel. From the slow brooding beginnings, through the groove and blues of the mid-section, Church Of Misery know how to keep listeners hanging on like Columbo with a hunch. "Freeway Madness Boogie (Randy Kraft)" has a nice angular bounce to it that won't fail to catch the ears of those listening, seeing the band take one or two steps outside their comfort zone.

When the band do take a leap of faith, they reward the listener tenfold with what is the highlight of the album. "Spoiler" is a nice twist up on the formula, sounding like the band wanted to stretch their wings creatively and indulge in their blues influences with a dirty, fuzzy ditty led by a demonic carnival-esque sounding organ. It sounds as if The Doors were possessed by a blues band from hell. This is possible thanks to some stellar production work that balances modern sonic clarity with an old school vibe, making for the best of both worlds in an 'analogue man in a digital world' way. 

Born Under A Mad Sign doesn't have any bad tracks per se, with it maintaining a consistent level of quality throughout. The only time I can say I was disappointed was with "Come And Get Me Sucker (David Koresh)" due to the song not engaging me as much as I thought it would given the subject matter (though does this say more about me than the song? Answers on a postcard). 

The wait was worth it, as Church Of Misery manage to produce one of the strongest doom records of the year, and one of their best in several years. Hold Born Under A Mad Sign close; hopefully it won't be such a long wait until the next album, but it's best to be prepared.