It's not often that I compare a band to Dragged Into Sunlight, most bands don't have the sheer suicidal glory or the incredible creativity and musicianship. Yet, Servants of the Mist pull it off, their new record Gross Knowledge of Genital Mutilation is the sort of destructive release that speaks to the darker side of the human spirit, quoting serial killers, the mentally depraved, and more, to achieve a sort of nihilistic release of righteous anger against the oppressive shackles of our society. This is what pure doom metal should be about, and by Thor does it do my aching heart good.
What's interesting about Servants of the Mist, is that they, like with bands such as Eyehategod can mix in ultra-satanic rockers like Commit Suicide, right alongside doom metal epics like Undeserved. The thing that makes this truly special though is that the band succeed in maintaining the same grim and nihilistic approach throughout, tearing out hearts and sacrificing the weak to feed the strong. The sheer bitterness conveyed in these tracks is impressive, it speaks to the heart. As you trudge through the three songs on this EP (There's also an introductory track) you start to become aware of the bleakness of your own humanity.
In conclusion, Gross Knowledge of Genital Mutilation might leave you feeling down, but it's for the better, it leaves your soul torn apart, aware of its broken state. There is no true escape or release to be found here, only more darkness. Yet this is what makes the band great. They understand what it means to be faced with our living hell, and somehow out of that they can create art. This is one of the best records to come out of the Tampa scene in years, Servants of Mist have captured my heart and then put it up for sale, and perhaps it is better that way.
Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/servantsofthemist
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