“Music is the universal language, and it’s pure magic to live it first-hand at European shows and festivals.”
— Alison ‘MetalBabe’ Cohen
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN— Swedish horror metal band Mister Misery, formed in 2018, boast three full-length albums along with two recent singles, “Demeter” and “Forsaken.”
Mister Misery have headlined club shows across Europe/Scandinavia, toured with well-known bands Nightwish, Dream Theater, and 69 Eyes, along with performances at major festivals including Wacken Open Air, Masters of Rock, Full Metal Cruise, and Hills of Rock.
I fell in love with the band when I first heard “My Ghost” in 2019 and have been turning people onto them ever since… Including my Mister Misery “Partner in Crime” Aaron.
Prior to these two Achor shows, I watched them tear up the stage at Wacken 2024, and we saw them at club shows in Rotterdam Netherlands, Hamburg Germany, and Berlin Germany.
People in both the United States and Europe don’t understand why I keep going overseas to see Mister Misery perform live. There are two reasons…
- Mister Misery are just that f#@king good.
- Mister Misery have not been able to make it to the United States (yet).
Five of us traveled from Southern California to Stockholm Sweden not only to celebrate Aaron and Russell’s Halloween wedding, but to catch two nights of Mister Misery at Anchor, a local pub packed nightly with like-minded metal fans.
They gather to drink, play blackjack, share food, and rock out to music videos and live bands. Both nights, Mister Misery fans staked out their spots early in front of the stage, while others walked in not knowing the band and left instant converts after seeing them perform.
And it turned out we weren’t alone…
There were fans representing seven countries, and I was proud we were holding it down for the United States.
We caught up with former bassist Alister before the show. It was great seeing him there supporting the band after stepping away earlier this month to launch his solo career. He praised new bassist Kammo and shared a bit about his upcoming project.
We were front and center for Friday’s show, and there’s proof in the crowd pic the band took at the end of the night. Highlights from Friday’s show were “My Ghost,” “Mr. Hyde,” and “Survival of the Sickest.” This was our first time seeing new bassist Kammo onstage.
When I asked how he joined Mister Misery, he shared that he and drummer Rizzy have known each other for years, played in bands together as teenagers, and proudly called themselves “geeks.” Rizzy initially brought him on as a stagehand, and when the bass position recently opened up, Kammo stepped in.
Mister Misery took the stage just about midnight on both Friday and Saturday nights and played about one and a half hours nightly. This was my first 5th and 6th time seeing them, and my first time on their Swedish grounds for a show.
Saturday had a different vibe. Our crew was down to two, and Anchor was packed, so we grabbed the spot Alister had the night before on the stage-left stairs. Close—but not close enough for me. After “Headless Horseman” and “Eye of the Storm,” someone in the front row stepped out for a drink, and I slipped through the risers to take the spot.
I was ready to give it back the second he returned… but he never did. I was in heaven as
friends filled in all around us.
The setlists differed both nights, and although they skipped Aaron’s and my top picks, “Devil in Me” and “Crooked Man,” their selections were phenomenal. They played the song that brought us all here, “My Ghost,” both nights, along with 12+ tracks spanning their three albums, and their two new singles, “Forsaken” and “Demeter.”
Vocalist/Guitarist Harley is in a league of his own. He’s really grown into himself as a performer, learning how to sing, talk, interact with the crowd, play guitar, and keep his personality shining through his talent the entire set. The band – Harley Vendetta/Alex Nine/Kammo/Rizzy – dress in character with renaissance style clothing that is reminiscent of days past, paired with white/ black makeup on their faces, arms, and hands.
You wouldn’t think it from looking, but Harley is actually kind of quirky and funny! (We joked about it after Saturday’s set.)
Music is the universal language, and it’s pure magic to live it first-hand at European shows and festivals. As the only Americans in the Pub, this Swedish band sings in English – and all the fans sing and scream along. When Harley addressed the crowd, he used a combination of Swedish and English.
There is something addictive about the Mister Misery sound, where you just want more, you cannot get enough, and you want it constantly. Whether it’s a live show, or just the music. So many Swedes were shocked that we came to Stockholm to go to Anchor and see Mister Misery, but it was so worth it.
I will see them anytime I can, and cannot wait for them to come to the States as direct support on a nationwide tour.
When speaking with Harley after Saturday’s set, he asked what our favorite song they played was. I said, “Boogeyman Boogie,” because it was the first time they played it live. While that was a treat, when I look back now, my personal highlights were “Haters,” “Tell Me How,” and “Clown Prince of Hell.”
Also seeing “Mr. Hyde” and “My Ghost” both nights was sheer ecstasy, and seeing their two recent singles “Forsaken” and “Demeter” was insane. I know I’ve been to a thousand-plus shows, but I can honestly say these two Mister Misery shows were the best I’ve ever seen from the band, and at the top of my all-time list. Harley, Alex, Rizzy, and Kammo were appreciative we came out for the shows. We all left happy, in heaven, and fully-loaded with setlists, guitar picks, drumsticks, and t-shirts.
For More Info Visit their official WebSite!
Written by Alison ‘Metal Babe’ Cohen
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