From the sun-scorched, windburned centre of Australia is the hub Alice Springs, where you work hard and play hard, flick the flies off your face so you can neck another stubby, drive a ute with a big piss off the bull bar on the front so you can bowl a couple of Roo’s when you’re heading home from the pub after sweating your ring off labouring in the stinking mines. Well, it’s not all about that, there’s a hell of a lot more to this beautiful part of the world including, yes you guessed it, METAL!
Miazma is a five-piece central Australian wrecking ball consisting of Jackson Smith (Vocals), Shaun Howell (Guitar), Malcolm McDonald (Drums), Tim Glyde (Guitar) and Kyle Mines on the Bass, which bring us an excellent example of top-notch Death Metal on this 8 track debut album. Released on their self-funded record label Black Wreath, Bacteria of This Earth is the perfect soundtrack to the desolate wastelands that is the red centre. This album is technical, heavy, well produced and the musicianship is first class, taking their cues from most of the influential bands of the day.
It’s hard to fault a band that worked as hard as Miazma, obviously touring, running their label, rehearsing and releasing this album the boys wouldn’t have a lot of time for bugger all else. Jacksons vocal display is a definite highlight, with his multi-toned growling it’s up there with the very best in the game. Guitarists Shaun and Tim don’t skip a beat with both blokes being very technical in all areas, and the rhythm section is keeping this machine rolling with blast beats and tempo changes that keep you wondering what’s coming up next.
Overall this debut from Miazma is a masterclass in death metal, and with their busy schedules and heavy touring expect a visit from these monsters around your parts in the near future, and I’m sure international acts will be looking to get these guys for slots on tours as they wouldn’t skip a beat and show that this style of Metal is still very much in a good state. With Bacteria of This Earth topping all things of Death what I’ve heard this year from Australian outfits, it’s a must get.
Miazma: Facebook
Release Year: 2013
Label: The Black Wreath
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Hayden G.M.
