The New Plague

With over a decade spent in the death metal trenches, Northern California's THE NEW PLAGUE has remained largely under the radar. That needs to change, as the band has consistently churned out well written death metal with an old school spirit and a knack for solid songwriting. I remember thinking that the group had a good thing going when I reviewed "Shackled and Enslaved" back in 2002. "Insatiable" not only continues in the quality vein, but it is also easily the best thing the band has ever written and recorded.

Nothing here breaks the death metal mold, but everything is well written and chock full of passion. There isn't a bum track on the disc. While a good portion of the disc is similar to the kind of delivery heard from DRAWN AND QUARTERED and INCANTATION, a decidedly blackened (and serrated) edge is present throughout. Songs like the up-tempo "Welcome to the End" fall squarely into the dirty/doomy death category. It is also one of several songs that include excellent changeups into groovier territory. The best example of that balance between blast beat ferocity and pit-worthy, head banging chug occurs on "The Conqueror", a song with a blackened soul (including alternating black/death vocals from guitarist Adam Whitley) and yet another memorable chorus. That knack for a DM hook continues on "God Can't Save Me", while "Da'ath – The Afterlife" and "Thicker than Blood" come with more killer pace/riff shifts. In other words, THE NEW PLAGUE does a terrific job of keeping things interesting from beginning to end.

Throw in a few light/classical-esque bits (the "Of Demonic Possession" interlude, as well as the "Hells Mouth" intro and a left turn on "Darkness Eternal") and you've got yourself a well round death metal album. Check out THE NEW PLAGUE at www.myspace.com/thenewplague and find out for yourself. As John McEntee (INCANTATION) has argued throughout his career, death metal is about feeling as much as anything else. THE NEW PLAGUE has certainly got feeling and some pretty good songwriting too. - roadrunner records

THE NEW PLAGUE - "INSATIABLE" CD

Annanaki Records 2008

Northern California is home to a great deal of things that boggle the imagination. Reports of Bigfoot sightings, alien abductions, and paranormal hauntings number in the hundreds yearly. If you look just beneath the tourist veneer, and into the road less traveled, a whole world of the bizarre unveils itself.

I know; I live here.

One of the treasures of the local scene is a long running institution (12 years to date) known as The New Plague. Spearheaded by Guitarist/Vocalist Adam Whitley, this band has a legion of loyal fans that have grown with each subsequent release over the band's career.

In 2008, those fortunate fans will be treated to an orgy of sonic devastation in the form of the new release "INSATIABLE"; the band's 4th full length album. I myself feel like a prophet of Armageddon; ushering in the gateways to world annihilation before the World Clock chimes Midnight...(translation: I have an advance copy of this brilliant CD, and I'm about to drop a review on all you unsuspecting horror cats & kittens)

Open your Necronomicon to page 213, and read along...

In this day & age, opening your CD with any sort of "Intro" is a risky proposition at best. To call this device a "Cliche" is, at best, a compliment. Let's face it; Sabbath did this almost 40 years ago with the ominous "Rain & Churchbells" that precede the opening track of their self-titled debut; thus ushering in a tradition in metal albums ever since.

That this album opens with a dark choral piece "Intro" that somehow seems vital, is flat -out remarkable. The doom contained is just the flood gates that open with "God Can't Save Me", a metal classic in every sense of the word. Relying heavily upon twin guitar harmonies, and the sheer endurance of drummer Aaron Copelan; this song is a workout, long before the demonic vocals kick in. And let's just talk about the vocals shall we?

Vocalist /Guitarist Adam Whitley is one of the very few death metal singers I can think of who is capable of truly emoting thru the sheer brutality of this genre's demands. His voice is always savage, yet clear and full of passion. Spewing forth venomous lyrics detailing the coming apocalypse, cosmic voyages ,demonic succubi, and occult prophecy is thirsty work at the best of times. Within the vocals of The New Plague, all this seems perfectly in control, though just leaning towards utter chaos at the same time. Not an easy task, considering he manages to pull this off while simultaneously playing some mean-ass guitar on stage.

Having perfected their music over the years, this release is a sheer assault on the senses, and is literally overflowing with excruciatingly fast, yet complex riffs, maniacal guitar solos,and the whole thing just plain reeks of evil to boot. The lads have been doing their homework, and the end result is pure, demonic death metal in it's purest form. Considering how much crap is out there, I cannot understand why this band hasn't been snatched up by a bigger record label. But, this could be the release that makes that very thing possible. "Shall be the whole of the Law" indeed.

4 out of 5 - fearzone.com