Blackened hardcore: it's a thing, and Long Island, NY's New Plague do it very well. The band are much in the same vein as Trap Them and Full of Hell, as well as others taking a more extreme, visceral approach to hardcore. Their debut self-titled EP comprises six short tracks of fierce, blistering hardcore featuring elements of black metal and thrash. It's discordant and unpredictable throughout, yet features moments of simplicity and plenty of groove-filled breakdowns.
"Blood Offer" starts things off with dissonant, chaotic aggression, which transitions to groovy, headbanging rhythms. "Heart of the Deep" is fast and gritty, with spastic guitar work and angst-ridden vocals, while "Angles" is slower-paced, yet features just as much corrosive intensity, even in its minimalistic second half. "Die Down" and "Hound of Sleep" return to speedy, harsh fury, while closer "Black Dawn" finishes with relentless, jarring volatility. Clocking in at just ten minutes, New Plague leave you with a void that can only be filled by about six repeat listens.
(Fly the Light)"Blood Offer" starts things off with dissonant, chaotic aggression, which transitions to groovy, headbanging rhythms. "Heart of the Deep" is fast and gritty, with spastic guitar work and angst-ridden vocals, while "Angles" is slower-paced, yet features just as much corrosive intensity, even in its minimalistic second half. "Die Down" and "Hound of Sleep" return to speedy, harsh fury, while closer "Black Dawn" finishes with relentless, jarring volatility. Clocking in at just ten minutes, New Plague leave you with a void that can only be filled by about six repeat listens.
