San Diego's MIZERY is a defiant powerhouse ready to shake things up with their crossover hardcore sound. Originally breaking out with 2014's Survive The Vibe EP followed by 2016's full-length Absolute Light, MIZERY quickly grabbed attention with their groove-driven rhythms and dynamic live show. Formed as an idea by childhood friends Jose Luna (vocals) and Taylor Parker (lead guitar), things really came to fruition when the pair met drummer Cayle Sain, and soon enlisted Miguel "Mikey" Salazar on bass and began creating as a four-piece. Following the album release, MIZERY toured alongside genre heavyweights including POWER TRIP, TERROR, and BACKTRACK, and added Ahmad Ali on bass, moving Mikey to rhythm guitar. Like the rest of the world, the band stalled during the pandemic, but kept writing and were ready to come back with full momentum. In December 2023, the unexpected passing of drummer Cayle Sain, who also performed with TWITCHING TONGUES, GOD'S HATE, and GHOSTEMANE, rattled the music community and understandably put a pause on MIZERY. While processing their grief and reflecting, the members of MIZERY knew they had to continue on and a found recording gave them a new sense of purpose. Jose and Taylor discovered Cayle had taken pre-production demos they had sent him and tracked drums for them in a professional studio. With the help of producer Taylor Young (The Pit), the band was able to obtain these drum tracks, and use them for what would become their self-titled EP. The Mizery EP is an overtly political record built around renewal and reflection. Across the six tracks lyrics are utilized as a weapon, as Jose shares, "It's a reflection of a world that some of us see, and others choose to ignore. The acts of violence, the fear of violence, & the repercussions of violence." The songs defy a steady route, mixing infectious rap-sung vocals with metallic riffs, inventive grooves, and a few twists. Influence stems from LEEWAY's Adult Crash, MERAUDER's 5 Deadly Venoms, and ONLY LIVING WITNESS' Innocents combined with the output of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and P.O.D. that surrounded the band members as youths. From opener "Renegade Rhythm", it's clear MIZERY is standing on business, addressing the state of the world while making music built to stay in your head. "The Weapon PT.II" lives sonically as MIZERY's heaviest track on the EP while hitting back at using words to invoke change over physical violence. Closing out the EP is the vindicating "Eulogy", featuring guest vocals from DRAIN's Sammy Ciaramitaro. The song came together as an early demo and was the only track Cayle had laid down programmed drums for instead of studio recordings. To complete the single, drummer David Stalsworth (MILITARIE GUN, TORENA) stepped in on the recording and now joins MIZERY as a member.