Miserable
Miserable mainly asks the listener to accept its pace. Bongripper divide more than an hour between three instrumental pieces and allow the riffs to work slowly. The guitars sound heavy and cumbersome, but the strength also lies in changes which become clear only after time.
Endless begins with gradually swelling sounds before the band establish a slow rhythm. The riff has plenty of room to settle. Repetition increases tension before feedback roughens the sound towards the end. The development stays simple, but the performance gives the notes enough weight.
Descent brings bass and drums further forwards. More direct rhythmic movement creates a useful difference from the opener. The sound later changes into a darker, looser background passage. This gives the record space, although the quieter section lasts longer than necessary to maintain its atmosphere.
The long Into Ruin occupies almost half an hour. It begins patiently and grows into particularly heavy guitar work. A brief acceleration shows that Bongripper can change more than volume, but the slow foundation remains central. Guitar parts carry the full development without a voice directing attention.
This approach works best when you want to follow the individual changes. Anyone searching mainly for immediately recognisable songs will quickly find the repetition and duration excessive. A slightly tighter selection could have helped the momentum even within this style. Miserable still convinces through the quality of its riffs and the care with which the band develop them. Patience becomes an important part of its effect. The heavy sound is the starting point; movement within it gives the record its character.
