Review: “Misery” by My Own Will

Having been engineered and co-produced by Max Kushner, mixed and co-produced by Cody Stewart (Worm Shepherd, The Dialectic, Impending Doom) with mastering and additional mixing by Christian Donaldson  (Suffocation, Shadow of Intent, Ingested), its fair to say the new EP “Misery” from My Own Will has some serious names attached to it. The record follows 2022 album “Left To The Flies“, an act of violence in Death Metal driven Hardcore from Southeastern Michigan so fierce that has opened the doors for the band to share stages with the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Nile and Suffocation to name but a few. They call it “Self-proclaimed ass-beating music. Pure, honest aggression.”

Vocalist Dave Keoppen roars like a man possessed over spine juddering staccato riff breaks and grove laden rhythms as title track “Misery” unfurls its demonic wings and takes to flight. A powerhouse of an opener, it finds the middle ground between Metallic Hardcore and Deathcore with laser guided execution of a downtempo breakdowns, the mix being nailed to perfection so you get a crisp clean drum sound with the razor sharp guitars. The original demo was titled “Highway Homicide” and that lyrical narrative helps make this one perfect for in car entertainment.

A cut with a deeper groove that evolves tastefully into a two step calling for the first verse “Rorshach” hits hard with a little bit of Spite flair to it, the dark atmospheric of the mid section offering a sinister note. Then comes the bombastic breakdown, which is so huge it creates a tsunami wave that destroys everything in its path. A gut punch of lethal proportions it’s the icing on the cake rather than what makes the track. There is a little bit of programming at the start of “Forsaken” which adds a different texture, keeping the quartet’s seismic rhythmic grooves interesting before the two step riffs come in during the mid section. Another slice of brutality all along the way, there is even time to shoehorn in a weighty downtempo breakdown with heavy hitting beat-down vibes before the final chorus.

Stylistically cut from the same cloth “Phobos” has all the jackhammer footwork and down-tuned chugs that anyone could every want, the violent turbulence of its flow making it a cut of monstrous proportions. Keoppen keeps coming up with one liners which resonate in the lyrics and after multiple listens you just can’t help but scream along in the same way you might with Kublai Khan. They called it with their self description, this is pure, honest, restless and relentless fun! [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Misery
2. Rorshach
3. Forsaken
4. Phobos

“Misery” by My Own Will is out 4th June 2026 via Bleeding Art Collective in partnership with Blood Blast Distribution