“Misery In Death” - VCTMS x Falsifier Split Album Review

For groups with as much self-driven momentum as VCTMS & Falsifier, their reputations walk through the door before them. VCTMS is an independent metal band from Streamwood, IL est. 2013 most known for their junior album Halfway Happy (2018) that landed them with

BIllboard - #25 Heatseekers & Billboard - #22 Hard Rock Albums. VCTMS’ claim to fame is their signature spunk, unparalleled live presence, unwavering dedication, and a very extensive touring history. Having played with the likes of Black Tongue, King 810, Angelmaker, Veil Of Maya, VCTMS isn’t a new name to heavy rosters.

FFO: Thy Art Is Murder, Reflections, Conform, Sleep Waker.

True hardcore Canadian outfit Falsifier is a metal band from Windsor, Ontario est. 2013. Falsifier delivers a dark presence with their low tuned/ high energy music. Blending slamming deathcore with groove, Falsifier hit the Canadian scene with their debut EP Reissued (2014) along with a long line of shows in support of their first release. Falsifier has since had a multitude of brutal releases. Following success with World Demise (2017) Falsifier hit the road in support of their crushing 10-Track album. Falsifier is an intense live entity, sharing stages with bands like Spite, Signs Of The Swarm, Traitors.

FFO: The Gloom In The Corner, Barriers, Gift Giver, Alpha Wolf.

“Unprecedented Violence, it spread like a sickness. Coursed through your veins, aided an addiction. You gave yourself away.”

-VCTMS ("Weak Willed")

VCTMS leads us face-first into the dual release with “Weak Willed” driving us in with a dissonant arrangement of strings transitioning forward into a signature VCTMS groove led by drummer Meredith Henderson’s thunderous feet and heavy-handed cymbal hits.

"Weak Willed" covers prominent societal issues such as police brutality, systemic racism, government oppression, and denouncing it all with clever wordplay and crushingly aggressive instrumentals.

"Hell Is Empty" plunges into the mud without warning as vocalist John Matalone's uncouth vocals spearhead us into absolute filth. "You don't deserve my mercy even when you beg for death. ROT!" Covering yet another heavy topic; this time being terrible human tendencies in the form of rape, murder, and oppression. Guitarist Ryan Walter's tone is key during these slow-paced verses. His signature 5150 tones cutting through the mix like a knife. Containing more progressive patterns than most earlier work, this track manages to keep each beat fresh while the listener is hypnotized by Henderson’s groove.

The finale to VCTMS installment ends with their cover of “I Am Death” from Falsifier's 2016 EP Life In Death. Following their tonal aggression and colossal vocal layering style effortlessly. While having such similar capabilities, VCTMS managed to bring the same energy in a new form and in a fresh updated style. “I Am Death” Truly is a showcase song on this EP.

“I’m armed with a mind that’s hell-bent on revenge and retribution”

-Falsifier ("Dog Eat Dog")

And so begins Falsifier’s installment to Misery In Death with their intro track

“Dog Eat Dog.” This piece is one that embodies the nature of this EP with its heavy-weight riffing and massive mix. This track opens with a foreshadowing beatdown style riff that leads into the first verse as vocalist Aiden Versteegh spews out “I hope you stay buried in your hopeless little hell. Your head in your ass, I can’t believe you’re not sick of the smell.” We as listeners can only imagine the energy the moshpit would have along with this aggressively powerful track. Covering the topic of the lowly scum that populates the earth, Aiden takes the words right out of our mouths.

As we reach the 80% mark of Misery In Death, Falsifier takes us on a ride with their 2nd track “Lost Cause”. Bringing their signature brawn and dominant energy, this track is very reminiscent of their album World Demise (2017) in terms of overall rage and hate-fueled progressions. We are thrown verse to verse via their use of heavy snare swells, bass drops, and crushing instrumentals. Pairing nicely, Colin Giofu & Blaine Kuzemczak's guitar tones and Alex Skinner's bass tone runs these 3 tracks led by killer Simon Käärid's astounding drum work.

To finish things off, we get another cover to show us just how cooperative VCTMS & Falsifier's sound is. Coming from VCTMS critically acclaimed album Vol. 3 Halfway Happy Falsifier chose "Misery Blooms" to properly end things off. Vocalist Aiden does well to capture the grit that is John Matalone’s vocals while transferring his own energy to convey the track's energy in a whole new light. We keep in mind these two bands have shared stages across two countries, and thousands of road miles in between. Their two sounds clash like hammer & nail.

These artists are the pinnacle of punch. We expected nothing less than incredible music, and we received it. The consistency between these two bands is one that writes their names in stone for them. We would be wise to keep tabs on VCTMS & Falsifier, as we may never know what's up their sleeves.

Released October 30th, 2020