What makes Hang Em High by Misery Index notable?

Hang Em High received positive critical reception, praised for its intensity and brevity, solidifying Misery Index's position within the deathgrind genre. The EP helped them to expand their audience, appearing on several underground charts and influencing a wave of similarly styled bands that emerged in the late 2000s. Released in early 2007, Hang Em High is Misery Index's first EP following their acclaimed album, Discordia. This release marked a period of consolidation for the band after they gained attention within the deathgrind scene, showcasing their signature blend of grindcore and death metal while refining their lyrical focus on sociopolitical themes.

How many songs are on Hang Em High?

Hang Em High has 4 tracks, running approximately 7 minutes.

Hang Em High

Misery Index · 2007

7 min · 4 tracks · deathgrind

A relentless barrage of furious riffs and guttural vocals, blending aggression with sharp social commentary in a compact format.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hang Em High — The title track sets the tone with its rapid-fire instrumentation and scathing lyrics about societal issues, embodying the band's ethos perfectly.
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Scene and Not Heard — This track features aggressive tempos and biting commentary on music scene politics, encapsulating the band's critique of superficiality in punk and metal communities.
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Love It or Leave It — With its explosive energy and succinct message, this song serves as a rallying cry against complacency, highlighting Misery Index's knack for impactful songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong songwriting and production while maintaining a cohesive yet intense listening experience.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a high tempo with aggressive guitar riffs and rapid drumming, while the final track shifts to an acoustic arrangement, contrasting the preceding intensity.
Each of the first three songs features a distinct structure, often alternating between blast beats and slower breakdowns, enhancing their dynamic range.
The lyrics focus on social issues, delivered through guttural vocals that are layered over complex instrumentation, demanding active engagement from the listener.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Scene and Not Heard

A verse where the lyrics directly confront the hypocrisy within music scenes by contrasting authenticity with facade.

The shift in tone from criticism to direct address highlights the urgency of their message, reinforcing the call for genuine engagement over empty posturing.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Hang Em High 1:03
2 Scene and Not Heard 1:37
3 Love It or Leave It 1:07
4 Discordia (acoustic) 3:14

What to play next

Listen next

Traitors

2008

Go back to

Discordia

2006

Full Misery Index discography Artists like Misery Index

deathgrind

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata