Miss May I - 'Curse Of Existence' - Album Review

In a year heavily marked with grand comebacks and big names re-entering the scene out of nowhere, few bands have created as much hype as the long-anticipated return of Miss May I. The Ohio metalcore royalties have been absent since 2017 and their latest album Curse of Existence could not have come at a better time, making the most of their 5-year break. Recharged and fully determined to reclaim their rightful place at the very top of the chain, the quintet sounds as fresh and fierce as ever.

A lot of things have changed since switching to SharpTone records and dropping Shadows Inside, which was not their best effort and felt a little rushed. A step back was definitely needed and Miss May I have seemingly found their true selves once again, digging deep into their roots and embracing what made them one of the more traditional metalcore's most loved offspring. If there were any doubts, the relentless (chaos...) lead single 'Unconquered' released back in March was a clear statement of what was coming this year.

Prior to going quiet in 2017, Miss May I have always been a synonym for consistence and hard work. We are talking 6 albums in 8 years, each leaving its own mark and transforming them into one of the unrivalled leaders in the scene during its most divisive years. In my mind, I have always placed them alongside the likes of As I Lay Dying, Bleed From Within, Bury Tomorrow in the sense of constantly producing top quality, in-your-face, textbook metalcore. With Miss May I, you always knew perfectly well what to expect but somehow they kept us excited without the boredom and staleness of other more traditional outfits.

I use "traditional" a lot, mainly to differentiate their sound from alternative or progressive in a year that has seen established genre favourites look for inspiration in every other genre on the planet. In striking contrast, Miss May I stay true to the roots and once again deliver that iconic blend of groovy riffs, crushing breakdowns and raging drums. And while I have always been a firm supporter of the more innovative and genre-blending approach in modern metal, having a few bands carry on the legacy with such profficiency is equally important, creating that much needed balance and keeping the scene fresh and diverse.

Talking about that balance between the more conservative songwriting and progressive production, very few labels have done so well with hitting the sweet spot than SharpTone records, and their current and constantly expanding roster speaks volumes. Absolutely no disrespect to Rise Records that pretty much pushed Miss May I into the mainstream, but the band now sounds a lot more comfortable and free to drive their crushing sound in the right direction and, more importantly, the right time. It might have taken some time to get the fine tuning excellent again, but now that the engine is running the result is fanstastic.

Their short bio at SharpTone tells us exactly where Miss May I are in 2022, with "a combination of brutal proficiency and impassioned delivery [...] transcending boundaries and limitations, galvanizing crowds, and energizing each person they encounter". To put it simply, we all love these guys, never stop spinning their old classics and have really felt their absence. I cannot see a better way for them to come back than with the Curse of Existence in all its fury, determination and confidence.

The record unleashes the typical Miss May I whirlwind straight from the start, going from the opener 'A Smile That Does ot Exist' into the thunderous singles 'Earth Shaker' and 'Bleed Together', followed by two of their finest releases in 'Into Oblivion' and 'Hollow Vessel'. You could argue that 'Free Fall' and 'Born Destroyers' feel a little repetative, but then 'Unconquered' hits again as fresh and fierce as ever. And like every great record that demmands a grand closing, 'Saviour to Self' and 'Bloodshed' deliver that final touch in style.

All in all, Curse of Existence is a perfectly balanced and timed record, produced with the right mindset, patient approach and closer attention to detail it needed. It is a conservative metalcore of the modern age, embracing all the classic tropes you might expect in a 2010 release with the epic post-production of a contemporary metal album. It is exactly as long as it should be, with precisely the right ammount of heaviness and melodies, and will definitely put a smile on every Miss May I fan out there!

Miss May I - Curse of Existence

Country: USA (OH)

Released: 2 September 2022

Label: Sharptone Records

Tracklisting:

1. 'A Smile That Does Not Exist'

2. 'Earth Shaker'

3. 'Bleed Together'

4. 'Into Oblivion'

5. 'Hollow Vessel'

6. 'Free Fall'

7. 'Born Destroyers'

8. 'Unconquered'

9. 'Savior of Self'

10. 'Bloodshed'