UMUR "Rituals Of Power" is the 6th full-length studio album by US deathgrind act Misery Index. The album was released through Season of Mist in March 2019. It´s the successor to "The Killing Gods" from 2014 and features the same quartet lineup who recorded the predecessor.

Stylistically the material on "Rituals Of Power" continue the technically well played, brutal, and aggressive deathgrind style of the predecessor(s). Misery Index are one of the more varied artists in the genre, in the respect that while they can certainly blast away in the most intense way possible, they are equally comfortable taking the pace down and playing more mid-paced heavy sections. "Rituals Of Power" isn´t an instantly catchy release, but given a few spins more recognisable riffs, rhythms, and vocal phrases appear. A few more memorable parts wouldn´t have hurt though and it is in the songwriting department Misery Index can still improve. There´s enough intensity and power here to tilt an elephant, but the tracks just aren´t that memorable.

The musicianship is on an impressive high level, and "Rituals Of Power" also features a loud, raw, and brutal, yet detailed and clear sounding production job, so it´s a high quality release in most departments. If only the tracks had stood out more the album could have reached an even higher level of excellence. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.