Review: Misfits – The Devil’s Rain

“The Devil’s Rain is far from impressive…”

Artist Name: Misfits
Album Name: The Devil’s Rain
Year: 2011
Genre: Horror Punk
Label: Misfits Records

As a long-time fan of the Misfits, it pains me to write this review. You see, I’ve supported this band even when others said the horror punkers were dead and buried with Glenn Danzig’s departure in 1983 – yet, after hearing the newest album, The Devil’s Rain, I’m inclined to believe that this could be the end of the road for the iconic name. Despite being released under the Misfits banner (Jerry Only is the only remaining member of the original band), this release lacks all the charisma that made the band so beguiling – in truth, it actually feels like another band is imitating the Misfits on this release (maybe it is true in a sense). Undoubtedly, one of the biggest talking points is Only’s vocals, which really fail in comparison to Danzig’s and even Michale Graves’ (even Dez Cadena’s lead attempts on ‘Jack the Ripper’ and ‘Death Ray’ are two face-palms of note), only to increase the frustration of The Devil’s Drizzle (oops, did I just say that?). Then, when we move onto the actual music, bar a few songs (notably ‘Land of the Dead’, ‘Cold Day in Hell’, and ‘Monkey’s Paw’), the album lacks any form of pull, everlasting value or even a mild hint of playfulness, which we might’ve associated with the second reincarnation of the band in the late 90s. No matter how many times I play this album, from back to front, it just refuses to grown on me or impress; it just stumbles along, trying to recapture the glory days, but failing miserably. In short, unless Danzig, Only and Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein manage to make peace and reunite somehow, this version of Misfits should walk away gracefully and not taint the legendary name. The Devil’s Rain is far from impressive.

Best Tracks: ‘Land of the Dead’, ‘Cold Day in Hell’, and ‘Monkey’s Paw’

37/100

- Frankie Styxx