We All Wear Masks

Plague Mask ~ Failure in Repetition (2014)

When I think of New York's music scene, Hardcore and Punk are among some of the first things to come to mind, and the following band has a certain degree of that in their music but deep down, it's thick, syrupy Sludge Metal through and through. From the state of New York, Plague Mask uses some of that classic NY Hardcore to propel an otherwise swamp mud tempo forward at breakneck speed for short bouts, but always returning to that Sludge Metal core, and the grinding pace it entails. Gracing us with their latest release "Failure in Repetition", with five tracks which can go from melodic and doom-y to a gnarly beast in the blink of an eye, and like all good things it goes by too quickly, even if the songs are short. While the thick and unforgiving guitars bear down on you, you're attacked, beaten, and left for dead by the drums, all while the vocalist stands there, snarling out lyrics and looking on approvingly. As much as I love the title for the track "MKUltra", my favorite track on the album would have to be the closer "Like Lemmings", opening up slow, with a dark and mellow guitar part, it rolls on for a few moments before opening up into a low and slow Sludge piece with a brutalizing riff that slowly bashes in your skull, this eventually tapers off, then speeds up some and their Hardcore pedigree shows through some for a moment, this lasts until around the two and a half minute mark and then the songs takes a sudden left turn and is never quite the same again. Being lead by a smooth, melodic Doom riff, the song pounds forward with all the others falling in line behind it, and just before the end of the song the riff changes yet again, going out on a heavy, growling note. You can pick it up from the group's bandcamp page, in digital format, along with their release from last year that you can read our coverage of here.
~Skip

For Fans Of; Converge, Black Tusk, Skeletons

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Disease-Ridden and Infectious...

Plague Mask - The Frailty of Human Existence (2013)

Upstate New York can be a cold and unforgiving place. Almost as cold and unforgiving as Plague Mask, a grungy black metal outfit hailing from Syracuse that bares some serious fangs on their latest release. Although often blasting their way through each song, Plague Mask occasionally tip their hats to musical stylings akin to Norwegian death metal and prog rock. A unique blend of heavy riffs and spacey transitions make Plague Mask an intriguing band, one that knocks around the foundation of metal and rock, shaking loose a tough sound that stands up on both sides of the spectrum.

The most noticeable aspect of Plague Mask are the growling, animalistic vocals that seem to work just right despite any tempo change on the record. Slightly high-pitched, the vocals compliment the wailing, pedal-heavy riffs and blast-beat drumming. In the moments between lyrics, Plague Mask does not simply settle for repetitive hooks or rhythms. The band makes it a point to try something different at every turn. While some of these efforts fall a bit short or feel a bit tried, the overall effort is stronger for having the experimentation.

My favorite track off the EP, "Botched Swimming Lessons," is indicative of the range that Plague Mask is capable of and keeps a fast pace interspersed with odd breaks and tempo switches that call for head-banging and swaying at the same time. As quickly as it starts, the track ends, which is a little disappointing given the rest of the EP seems to possess tracks that aren't conformed to any sort of time limit by the band. Taking into consideration the band has an obvious flair for speed variation, "Botched Swimming Lessons" could simply be a work in progress or a song that the band truly feels works better at an unrelenting pace that screams pure brutality.

Suspecting the band has plenty of rage left in them, I am eager to hear a full-blown work from Plague Mask. One that will allow the band even more freedom to try out some sounds and speeds that can gradually turn into real rockers and thrashers. Either way, I'm listening when it arrives.

~Joe

For Fans Of; Converge, Abigail Williams, Arsis, At The Gates

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The Frailty of Human Existence (name your price)