miserylab

Miserylab was originally conceived as a moniker for remix and production purposes, such as work that King had done for My Vitriol and the Mercury Music Award-winning Elbow. The name was originally spelled "misery:lab", but King chose to remove the colon to make it easier to find in Internet search engines. The name can be seen as both a serious comment on animal experimentation and a self-deprecating comment on King and his musical output. A number of tracks were written in 2000, but were not released whilst production work remained the priority.{{cite web |last=King |first=Porl |title=synopsis/discography:self important version |url=http://toybox.twisted.org.uk/~porl/synopsis.html |publisher=miserylab.com |accessdate=2011-07-22}}{{cite web|last=Side-Line|title=Miserylab - 'This project is completely reliant on social media'|url=http://www.side-line.com/interviews_comments.php?id=46528_0_16_0_C|publisher=Side-Line|accessdate=2011-07-19|date=8 July 2011}}

File:Miserylab early discography.jpg

In 2005, King created a profile on MySpace, reworking and uploading some of his early miserylab material. In 2007, four of these tracks were made available as a free download, complete with downloadable artwork, known as the Vaporware EP.{{cite web |url=http://graveconcernsezine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1341&Itemid=254 |title=Interview – miserylab |author=Julie Johnson |publisher=Grave Concerns Ezine |date=2006-03-07 |accessdate=2011-01-01 |quote=… 2006 … for me – it’s a year of considerable change I suppose … I mean six months ago I wasn’t even contemplating any sort of recording project … I was still following the path of production and remixing … and – I was also recently diagnosed as suffering from a form of social anxiety and depression (I’m officially a tortured artist!)…}}{{cite web |url=http://gothicrock.ru/din/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.232 |title=Porl King (ex-Rosetta Stone, Miserylab founder) – Interview

|author=Phil |publisher=Gothic Rock Russia |date=2009-06-15 |accessdate=2011-01-01 |quote=… There wasn’t a real intention at first to start Miserylab as a writing project. Initially the name was used for my remixing – production work that I did after Rosetta Stone disbanded. I kind of got the urge around 2000 to write a bulk of songs just to see what the results would be like. I didn’t really do anything with the songs for a number of years. It wasn't until sometime in 2005 that I decided to approach things more seriously – I created a MySpace and put some of my tracks up – and the concept grew from there…}}

Encouraged by a positive response, and with the successful relocation of his home studio to Leeds, King began writing the full-length Function Creep in November 2007. Released in April 2008 as both a download and limited-edition CD, the album had a more guitar-driven, post-punk feel than did the previous EP. King had a preference for download-only releases, only making Function Creep available as a CD following requests for physical version. Function Creep was immediately followed by a downloadable extended version of the track "Be There Tomorrow."

A second album, A Death That We Can Cure, was released on 5 November 2008. (It was consciously released on the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot). The unusual title is a Bushism.{{cite web

|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/af/rls/93692.htm

|title=President Bush Meets with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia

|accessdate=2008-12-01

|publisher=U.S. Department of State

|date=2007-10-18

}} A graph on the back cover shows that many more people die of starvation than as a result of terrorism.

A third album, Freedom Is Work, was released in May 2009.{{cite web

|url=http://monkeyhouse-recordings.co.uk/JK2CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1509&Itemid=30

|title=Miserylab – 'Freedom Is Work' CD Download (Carbon Neutral Digital) |author=Zenon Gradkowski

|publisher=JudasKiss |year=2009 |accessdate=2011-01-01 |quote=… Freedom is Work is what bands call the difficult third album. Freedom… is a lot darker than the last two albums, bares none of the debut’s quirks, is repetitive in sound, but its success as an album lies in how it has really heightened what I have always seen as Miserylabs consistent sonic struggles… Simultaneously bleak yet uprising music… and the grim political situations presented are always underlain with hope beyond the present…}} Around the same time, King was approached by a Russian record label, which resulted in the release of a compilation album in Russia in August that year. Lab Samples compiled a selection of tracks from the first two albums, plus "No Cure For Life" from the Vaporware EP.

From Which No Light Escapes, the fourth album, was released in February 2011.{{cite web|url=http://toybox.twisted.org.uk/~porl/index.html|title=Miserylab.com|author=Porl King|accessdate=2011-01-17}}{{citation |title=From Which No Light Escapes |url=http://www.discogs.com/Miserylab-From-Which-No-Light-Escapes/release/2757782 |publisher= on Discogs |accessdate=13 May 2011}} During its creation, many of the lyrics were scrapped and replaced to better reflect the events of 2010, and the album title also changed.{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=465654068650&set=a.465654063650.247924.283905063650&comments&ref=mf|title=the new album - due for release next year - has been retitled - from which no light escapes ...|author=Porl King |publisher=Facebook|date=2010-12-02 |accessdate=2011-01-17}} The track "Downplay" was made available for preview via the miserylab Facebook page.{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/miserylab/posts/122681184466248|title=one for the goths ... brand new track from the forthcoming album - from which no light escapes ... |author=Porl King |publisher=Facebook |date=2010-12-29 |accessdate=2011-01-17}} An additional three tracks from the album's recording session—"Futile", "Machines" and "Heart"—were posted two months later on the audio distribution site SoundCloud, under the name From Which No Light Out-Takes.{{citation |title=From Which No Light Out-Takes |url=http://soundcloud.com/miserylab/sets/from-which-no-light-out-takes |publisher= on SoundCloud |accessdate=15 April 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/miserylab/posts/125037944238441|title=for those who may have missed this - THREE FREE DOWNLOADS |author=Porl King |publisher=Facebook |date=2011-04-17 |accessdate=2011-05-13}} The Terrorizer magazine supplement Dominion gave the album a positive review, comparing the sound to that of Joy Division and early Killing Joke.{{cite web

|url=http://truecultheavymetal.com/index.php/dominion/2011/02/09/review-miserylab-from-which-no-lght-escapes

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212194251/http://truecultheavymetal.com/index.php/dominion/2011/02/09/review-miserylab-from-which-no-lght-escapes

|url-status=usurped

|archive-date=12 February 2011

|title=Review: Miserylab – 'From Which No Light Escapes' |author=Sean Palfrey |date=2011-02-09 |accessdate=2011-02-11}} Glass magazine described it as eloquent and dark, with a "defined maturity in the songs." They also detected a stronger new wave influence than was present on early miserylab albums, and discussed the album's social commentary.{{cite web |url=http://glassmagazine.co.uk/forum/article.asp?TID=2322 |title=Black Holes and Aspirations |author=Riley |date=2011-02-10 |accessdate=2011-02-11 |quote=… One band kicking against the aspirational prick is Miserylab. We’ve seen them smashing reflective surfaces against western society’s vapid vanity and swindled self-importance before but this time there’s an eloquence that’s taken the metaphor further by internalising the hurt. Lead singer Porl’s giving us his version of, ‘The world’s a bad place but it’s worse when you see it through my eyes.’ … ‘From Which No Light Escapes’ is the name of the new album. And we can see that, with a start from a dark launch-pad, we’re being invited to listen to a black hole…}}

On 18 May 2011, miserylab's single "Appeal to Fears" was made available for preview via SoundCloud. The track includes Kathryn Woolley as a backup vocalist.{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/miserylab/posts/199850866726452

|title=first mix - sneak |author=Porl King |publisher= on Facebook |date=2011-05-18 |accessdate=2011-05-18}}{{citation |title=Appeal To Fears |url=http://soundcloud.com/miserylab/appeal-to-fears-single-version |author=Porl King |publisher= on SoundCloud |date=2011-05-19 |accessdate=19 May 2011 }} It was officially released to the public via miserylab's official website on 19 May 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/miserylab#!/miserylab/posts/223640290995182 |title=available to download NOW FOR FREE |author=Porl King |publisher= on Facebook |date=2011-05-19 |accessdate=2011-05-19}}{{citation|title=Appeal To Fears|date=2011-05-19|url=http://toybox.twisted.org.uk/~porl/appealtofears.html|author=Porl King|publisher=miserylab.com|accessdate=19 May 2011}}

The track "Gods Amongst Your Friends", a track that Porl had decided to not include in the fifth album, was released on 7 June 2011. The track also includes backup vocals by Woolley.{{cite web |url= http://www.facebook.com/miserylab/posts/207684785940627 |title= FREE DOWNLOAD: new track : gods amongst your friends .. |author=Porl King |publisher= on Facebook |date=2011-06-07 |accessdate=2011-06-07}}{{citation|title=Gods Amongst Your Friends|date=2011-06-07|url=http://miserylab.track3.org.uk/godsAmongstYourFriends.mp3|author=Porl King|publisher=miserylab.com|accessdate=2011-06-07}}

The first track, "Children of the Poor", from miserylab's fifth album was released on 21 July 2011 as a free digital download. An accompanying video was also released on YouTube.{{citation |title=preview track from new album free download |url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/preview-track-from-new-album-free-download |author=Porl King |publisher= Miserylab on WordPress |date=2011-07-21 |accessdate=2011-07-21}}{{citation|title=children of the poor|date=2011-07-21|url=http://miserylab.com|author=Porl King|publisher=miserylab.com|accessdate=2011-07-21}}{{cite web|last=King|first=Porl|title=miserylab : children of the poor|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fn4JpS2G9Q|publisher=miserylab on YouTube|accessdate=2011-07-22|date=2011-07-21}} Describing a disenfranchised youth ignored by a political elite, the song preceded the 2011 England riots by a matter of weeks. The track was also used by footwear retailer Schuh in its 30th-anniversary advertising campaign, which began on 22 August 2011.{{cite web

|url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/in-the-dark-corner-representing-dark-youth-culture-we-have-miserylab-or-corporate-whore-depending-on-your-viewpoint/ |title=in the dark corner .. representing dark youth culture .. we have miserylab – or – 'corporate whore' depending on your viewpoint |author=Porl King |publisher=miserylab|accessdate=2011-08-22|date=2011-08-02|quote=… the retail company schuh are launching an advertising campaign on 22nd august .. featuring four genres of youth subculture .. including dark/gothic subculture … miserylab amongst others submitted tracks for consideration .. miserylabs children of the poor was considered to be the most appropriate track and has been confirmed to appear in the advertising campaign…}}{{cite web

|url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/schuh-aw11-campaign-launch-featuring-miserylab-children-of-the-poor/ |title=Schuh aw11 campaign launch .. featuring miserylab : children of the poor .. |author=Porl King |publisher=miserylab|accessdate=2011-08-22|date=2011-08-22}}{{cite web|title=Schuh AW11 Film|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xjXSRK67Qc|publisher=SchuhTV on YouTube|accessdate=2011-08-22|date=2011-08-22}}

The limited-edition Void of Life album became available for order between 9 and 15 October 2011, and was manufactured and shipped by the end of the month.{{citation |title=void of life : pre-order info |url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/void-of-life-pre-order-info/ |author=Porl King |publisher= Miserylab on WordPress |date=2011-09-26 |accessdate=2011-10-30}} An extended remix of "Children of the Poor" was made available for download with all orders, and the album was preceded by a promotional video for a new track, "People".{{citation |title=children of the poor extended remix video |url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/children-of-the-poor-extended-remix-video/ |author=Porl King |publisher= Miserylab on WordPress |date=2011-10-05 |accessdate=2011-10-30}}{{citation |title=new song : people : video |url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/new-song-people-video/ |author=Porl King |publisher= Miserylab on WordPress |date=2011-09-22 |accessdate=2011-10-30}}

The release exhibited higher production values than did the early albums and their original, pared-back sound. The Brutal Resonance e-zine gave the album a rating of 9/10, complimenting regimented guitar arrangements and the "unpleasant observations" within the lyrics. The publication also give high praise to the final track, "Last Day", commenting, "Not since the Cure did the song ‘The Top’ has a musical outing ever left me feeling so drained."{{citation |title=Void of Life (2011) – Miserylab |url=http://www.brutalresonance.com/viewreview.php?id=1226 |author=Peter Marks |publisher= Brutal Resonance |date=2011-10-06 |accessdate=2011-10-30|quote=… Intensity sears at the end of this album with a track I would not have suspected could make it out of the lab: the gut-wrenching epic ‘Last Day’. Not since The Cure did the song ‘The Top’ has a musical outing ever left me feeling so drained. By the end of it, you'll find yourself lying on the floor wondering just what the hell is the point of anything anymore. It is impossible to play something after this record has ended, the tone demands a couple hours of silence to take in what you've just heard…}} Dominion ranked it as the second-best album of 2011, awarding the number-one spot instead to Esben and the Witch.{{citation |title=Dominion Top 20 Albums of 2011 |url=http://truecultheavymetal.com/index.php/dominion/2012/01/17/dominion-top-20-albums-of-2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204211309/http://truecultheavymetal.com/index.php/dominion/2012/01/17/dominion-top-20-albums-of-2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 February 2013 |author=Miranda Yardley |publisher= Dominion Magazine |date=2012-01-17 |accessdate=2012-02-09}}

2011 ended with the release of two further tracks, "five:one one" and "Fear for the Future".{{citation |title=5th november – void of life – digital edition available and free download |url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/5th-november-void-of-life-digital-edition-available-and-free-download/ |author=Porl King |publisher= Miserylab on WordPress |date=2011-11-04 |accessdate=2011-12-29}}{{cite web|title=deleted track : five:one one .. an out-take from void of life |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHRhS74cVUw|publisher=miserylab on YouTube|accessdate=2011-12-29|date=2011-11-04}}{{citation |title=free download : new single : fear for the future |url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/free-download-new-single-fear-for-the-future/ |author=Porl King |publisher= Miserylab on WordPress |date=2011-11-19 |accessdate=2011-12-29}}

In 2012, "Children of the Poor" and "People" were re-released as a seven-inch vinyl single. Limited to just 120 copies, it could be ordered in combination with a new download known as the Somewhere Between EP.{{citation |title=new video : new digital EP and collectors vinyl package |url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/new-video-new-digital-ep-and-collectors-vinyl-package/ |author=Porl King |publisher= Miserylab on WordPress |date=2012-01-15 |accessdate=2012-01-21}}{{citation |title=collectors package : release date : 21.1.12 |url=http://miserylab.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/collectors-package-release-date-21-1-12/ |author=Porl King |publisher= Miserylab on WordPress |date=2012-01-17 |accessdate=2012-01-21}}

A second miserylab compilation became available in September 2012. Documentary was a combined CD and seven-inch vinyl release, held within a single gatefold sleeve. Available via the Paris-based D-monic label, it included tracks from Freedom Is Work onward. The CD includes 17 tracks, four of which are also present in vinyl form.

2012 also saw the emergence of In Death It Ends, a new music project used by King to explore occult and dark ambient sound. The first release, Forgotten Knowledge, was made on cassette tape to evoke a retro 1970s mystique.{{cite web|title=In Death It Ends, "Forgotten Knowledge"|url=https://www.idieyoudie.com/2012/07/10/in-death-it-ends-forgotten-knowledge/|website=I Die You Die|date=10 July 2012 |accessdate=22 Aug 2020}} As In Death It Ends continued to maintain King's interest, miserylab went into hiatus. In Death It Ends continues to be an active project.

In May 2019, King released a number of miserylab songs as a new album titled Seems Like Forever under the name of Rosetta Stone, his previous band from the late 1980s to mid-1990s.{{cite web|title=90's Gothic Rock Band Rosetta Stone Returns with "Seems Like Forever"|url=https://www.post-punk.com/90s-gothic-rock-band-rosetta-stone-returns-with-seems-like-forever/|publisher=post-punk.com|accessdate=1 May 2019}} Rosetta Stone resumed with further new material in 2020.{{cite web|title=Rosetta Stone, "Cryptology"|url=https://www.idieyoudie.com/2020/08/12/rosetta-stone-cryptology/|website=I Die You Die|date=12 August 2020 |accessdate=22 Aug 2020}}

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Category:English post-punk music groups

Category:1998 establishments in England

Category:Musical groups established in 1998

Category:Alternative rock groups from Liverpool

Category:English alternative rock groups