Church of Misery is a doom metal band from Tokyo, Japan, formed in 1995. Church of Misery's musical style melds early Black Sabbath-style doom with psychedelic rock; most of the band's songs are about serial killers and mass murderers. Bassist Tatsu Mikami has been the sole constant member in their line-up.
History
Beginnings and line-up changes (1995–2008)
Church of Misery formed in 1995 with a lineup of Mikami, vocalist Kazuhiro Asaeda, guitarist Tomohiro Nishimura and drummer Hideki Shimizu. This line-up recorded the Vol. 1 album, released in 1997 by Doom Records without the band's consent. In 1996, vocalist Nobukazu Chow replaced Asaeda. The band's first EP, Taste the Pain, was released in 1998 by Bad Acid Records, followed by the Murder Company EP in 1999 on Man's Ruin Records. Singer Yoshiaki Negishi and drummer Junji Narita replaced Chow and Shimizu, respectively, in 2000. In 2001, Southern Lord Records issued the band's official debut full-length album, Master of Brutality. After its release, founding guitarist Nishimura was replaced briefly by Osamu Hamada and then by Takenori Hoshi. New singer Hideki Fukasawa joined in time for the band's second full-length album, The Second Coming, released in 2004 by Japanese label Diwphalanx Records. That same year, Leaf Hound released Early Works Compilation, collecting the first band's two EPs, cover versions and other material from 1998-2000. Guitarist Tom Sutton replaced Hoshi in 2006. They released numerous split albums and EPs between 1998 and 2006, including two with Sourvein, with whom they toured Europe in 2006. Church of Misery performed at the Roadburn Festival in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Departures, line-up changes and recent activities (2009–present)
The band's third album, Houses of the Unholy, was issued in 2009 by Rise Above Records and Metal Blade Records. Following its release, prior vocalist Negishi rejoined, lasting until 2011, while Sutton was replaced first by Kensuke Suto and then by Ikuma Kawabe. Fukasawa rejoined on vocals for their fourth album, Thy Kingdom Scum. In 2014, Church of Misery toured Europe three times, the first being a support slot for Monster Magnet. Following the band's extensive summer tour, Fukasawa, Kawabe and Narita collectively quit, leaving Mikami as the only remaining member of the group. On January 1, 2015, Mikami announced on the band's official Facebook page that he was planning a new Church of Misery album. Mikami recorded their sixth album, And Then There Were None..., that May in Maryland in the U.S. with session musicians Scott Carlson, Eric Little and Dave Szulkin. The album was released in March 2016 by Rise Above. This line-up did not tour. Mikami searched for new members, and vocalist Hiroyuki Takano and guitarist Yasuto Muraki joined in 2015. On April 24, 2017, it was announced via the band's website and Facebook page that drummer Junichi Yamamura had been added as an official member, with the message "Church of Misery rises again!" A fall tour of Europe along with festival shows were confirmed shortly after, the first to feature the new line-up and the first shows for Church of Misery since the last live line-up ended in 2014.
